First full shave complete!

Yesterday I visited my local barber and had a good chat about technique and he kindly showed me how best to tackle the chin because I was finding that area difficult and always finish off with an electric.

So today I had a go at a full shave, and using some oil before lathering the soap it made the shave far easier. I first tried with just the oil and soon found out that was not the way to approach this!

I don't have the 'perfect' shave, as I have missed a couple of bits just under the bottom lip and on the apex of the chin above the throat. But it is a far better shave than any cartridge based safety razor. I am left feeling far happier with how things are progressing.

It probably won't be too long before the confidence is up there and the shaves get better. Then it will be highly likely that a proper straight razor purchase will happen! The great thing is, my local barber is happy to show me how to hone and strop the razor when I'm ready to use one.

The chin is always tricky, I remember when I started out it was hard for me to. But in time you'll get use to it and it will be like shaving any other part of your face. Now Adam's apple that's a whole other story:-)))

It's like it is starting to all come together. Getting a 'feel' for the blade now, although I'm unsure whether it is just the start of a bit of experience or the introduction of a shaving oil before soap application.

To say I'm learning to shave at my age seems almost laughable!

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Originally Posted by AlliumSativum

It's like it is starting to all come together. Getting a 'feel' for the blade now, although I'm unsure whether it is just the start of a bit of experience or the introduction of a shaving oil before soap application.

To say I'm learning to shave at my age seems almost laughable!

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I started straight razor shaving when I was 46, to be honest I don't consider what I did before that really shaving, it was just going thought the motions of a everyday shower. Now I look forward to my shave time every time I do it. It's me time, at least that's what I call it.:-)

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Originally Posted by Brettnj

I started straight razor shaving when I was 46, to be honest I don't consider what I did before that really shaving, it was just going thought the motions of a everyday shower. Now I look forward to my shave time every time I do it. It's me time, at least that's what I call it.:-)

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Not far away myself.

That is exactly how I feel about shaving with a shavette/straight razor. It's my time and everything else stops while I do what I am doing.

My biggest worry is the confidence is there now and I feel like I can shave anywhere now, my strokes are getting quicker as I feel at one with the blade in my hand. Had 2 very tiny nicks on todays shave. No alum block required. That was almost 5 hours ago and looking at my face magnified in the mirror I could not tell I had 2 nicks.

I'm starting to feel as though I am ready to buy a proper straight razor. Then I'm going to need a strop and probably strop paste. I could probably do with a better shaving brush and perhaps a scuttle instead of a couple of bowls.

Alum blocs are great, even if I don't nick myself I still Finnish up with one, but you have to get a balm on right afterwards or your skin will dry out like leather. As for your first razor I would choose a dovo, good price, good steel and it hold an edge. Dovo was my first and I still love it. Sure I have lots of blades, but you never forget your first love:-)