Thread: What Happened To Me?

I feel so embaressed by this. For the past 6 months or so I have been on over night shift at work, not exactly the best shift to give me time to use my straight, so I have been using my DE to just get it all gone pretty quick before stepping out the door. Well today I woke up extra early and decided to pick back up my straight and get a good close shave. What I thought I would get and what ended up happening was not the same. Right side of my face went ok, there was a little tugging and pulling so I stropped and tryed again, still not smooth, so I figured it was just me relearning. Got the right side WTG pass done, moving to my left side was just bad, its like I had never uesed a straight before in my life, so all WRG passes were done, here comes ATG.....nope nope nope, not happening at all. Was so frustrated with myself ( I uesed to use only my straight except when I was in a rush and had a wonderful shave) that I had to switch to my DE and being mad /frustrated is not a good way to shave, so nicks and irrateion were on the menu for tonight. I just feel so mad at my self for pretty much loseing a skill that I prided myself on. -Stomps feet and walks away in childish tantrum-

Relax,
I bet it is just like riding a bike, after some time away you are not going to jump right on and start doing all the old tricks again.
But the adjustment curve will be short.
Shave before bed if you can or just the weekends if possible.
They will wait for you if needed I promise

Maybe the razor needs a little more than the usual strop after sitting so long ?

weekends would work if I didnt work 2 days on 2 days off 12 hour shift, I guess I would start shaving on my off days and not be so lazy. And I guess I could send both of them to the stones and just get a new edge for the new year.

It may not help you but I am a little off all the time and it works well for me....
That is a rough bit I have done the 12 hr rotating and swing, it is hard to get used to if you ever do.
Like I said if stored properly they will wait for you, I do occasionally have to rush a shave but I prefer not to.
Days off may be an option as you said, let us know how it goes.

Regards
Pat

It's likely just a matter of being a bit rusty. Unless you've been doing this for years, 6 months is a long sabbatical and picking it up again probably won't be like riding a bike. Your stropping is probably off, as is your shaving technique. No big deal, all you have to do is use a SR more often . Even 1-2 times a week is alright, better than nothing for the time being.

I work two ten hour days, day off, two fourteen hour nights, three off. I've been doing it for 18 years and probably never will get used to it. I shave the night before my first day shift and the afternoon before going in for my first night shift. Sometimes I can get away with shaving on the night in between my second day shift and first night shift. I do three passes so I can generally go a little longer between shaves.

I went a while using a multiblade just because I was getting lazy, but I definitely find that taking the time for a straight shave is definitely worth it. It takes a little bit to get back into the swing of it, but it happens pretty quick.


John

Oww, I aplaud you for you good sir, I am trying to switch my rate just so I get normal hours. I have thought about getting a multi blade just due to lazyness but then I look at the price and remember how bad it burnt my face every time I uesed it. I will have to take an off day and relearn my valued skill.

Definitely take your off days to relearn the skills..as already said, 6 months is quite a sabbatical and hoping to just hop back on the bike may be hopeful.
All is not lost, your blades are probably fine and it may take a couple shave to get the angle etc. down again. Hang in there and enjoy