My first self inflicted SR shave

Well, I have been doing my research, reading and youtubing, and finally today received my new Ralf Aust 5/8 from Straight Razor Design. Of course I had to try it. Got home from a workout tonight and started running some hot water in the sink to soak a towel and brush. After a shower, hot towel on the face then started on some lather. Just that part felt good, especially at the start when the brush was warm. I went with building the lather on my face. My intention was to follow the advice and start with just the back of the cheek below the side burns, well that went well. I had to re-lather because I was going pretty slow and it felt a bit like it was drying out.

I got both sides and was feeling good so I moved to the rest of the cheek experimenting with adjusting the angle to find the spot that felt the best. It really felt like it was grabbing a bit if the angle was too steep. I was also able to shave the front of my chin pretty easily. Thought about trying the upper lip but stopped pretty quickly when it couldn't quite find the right angle with the blade and figured I shouldn't push it for a first time. Finished things up with the old cartridge fusion. Found one small nick that didn't bleed at all after applying a cold towel to my face.

A few observations:
- the parts I shaved with the SR are every bit as smooth as those I got with the fusion
- I will never go back to shave cream in a can. Just the lathering up with the brush was great!
- my face didn't show any irritation or redness after but I think I need to learn a bit about post shave because my face does feel a bit tugged on. Maybe need to work on the pre-shave prep as well.

Overall, if felt good, not perfect but as far as I know I've got time to practice and get it right. :nj

Great!!

Slowly add more of your face as you get more comfortable maneuvering the blade around your face, no reason to rush it

Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!!

You will find members here of all different backgrounds, ages and occupations from all corners of the world and all with a quest for more knowledge about using and maintaining a straight razor!

Shaving with a straight feels great doesn't it!!??!! I tell people almost daily that as long as I can use a straight, I'll never go back!!!

Just the other day at work a customer who I'd told about shaving with a straight expressed an interest. While he wasn't quite ready to give a straight a go, he was very willing to try a DE instead of the multi bladed &^%$#@$^&* disposibles. I figure if I can get my foot in the door, then maybe he'll give a straight a go!

Again, Welcome! It's a whole new and better world of shaving!!!

Welcome to SRP. Sounds like your starting out just great. To help with the post shave issue you may want look for a good skin food from Trumper or other companies. It will definitely help. Avoid anything that is alcohol based.

It takes a few shaves for your face to get used to it sometimes. I was doing it for about 2 weeks when one day one the way to work I noticed my face actually felt great. Not a little good but Grrrrreat ! Don't force anything and it sounds like you have set a comfortable pace for yourself. Keep it up and welcome to SRP.

I found myself checking my face all day long wondering, "will I need to shave tonight?" I did :p

Thanks for the encouragement.