Thread: Got my first straight

Originally Posted by senorswiss

I had a hard time being able to see while shaving my left cheek with my right hand. My arm was in the way because of the way I was holding the razor. I definitely don't think I can shave with my left hand though.

Anyway, thanks to all for the great information offered here.

Jordan,
Congratulations! There's no going back now. I predict that within three weeks that Mach3 will be relegated to the back of a drawer.

Do yourself a favor, USE YOUR LEFT HAND!!!!! Yes, I'm shouting at you. Yes it will feel strange at first; just go slow. As has been mentioned, as your technique progresses you will get as comfortable with your left as your right. In fact, there are some passes that I'm much more comfortable doing with my left hand and I am strongly right hand dominant.

Have fun with it,
Ed

I think everyone is right about learning to use my left hand now. Probably easier to do that than to get comfortable with my right and then switch.
We'll see how it goes.

I have seen many people complaining about having problems shaving their neck, and sometimes other respond saying that it may be the blade dulling a bit before one gets to his neck. If this really is the case, why not start on the neck which is presumably more tricky, then, when the blade has dulled this little bit, you would be shaving your cheeks which are easier?

Does anyone do this?

Because you want to wait for the soap to work on the neck growth and soften it up. That's why I only give it a quick pass the first time around, re-lather the neck/chin and then do a detailed job.

You are into it full force now!!!!

Unlike when i started shaving with a straight, I now always use my left hand ... but only to stretch actually. If I ever let my sideburns go for a few days I'm sure I'll get back to that, but it's the only time I can actually justify it and I just go against the grain only each day.

X

I still only use my right hand and no real problems

Welcome!

I would try to use both hands if it seems like your arm is in the way... I went several months shaving with my right hand only, and although it seemed strange, I started using my left hand for the easy parts. (cheek and neck) It seems to help out with the arm-blocking-vision thing! Hey, good luck.

Gabriel

I just shaved for the second time. I used my left hand, and it actually wasn't that bad. I mean, I didn't shave well or anything, but it wasn't much more akward than my right hand.

I cut myself in four places tonight...nothing horrible, but I've got to learn not to let the spike tip get into my skin. That's how it happened on three of the four occasions.

I seem to have to hurry to do everything, which I think it really hindering me. I'm hurrying to mix the lather before my face dries out, I'm hurrying to shave (which is obviously the worst thing I could do) before the lather dries out. By the time I went over my two cheeks, the rest of the lather was pretty much non-existant.

I'm using Proraso but not getting much lather. I think this is due in part to my Burma brush and the fact that I need to use a larger bowl to make the lather in. When I put the lather on my face I have a really hard time getting enough so that I can't see though to my skin. I have tried different amounts of water and soap, but I'll keep trying. I plan on getting a new brush soon (probably the Crabtree and Evelyn one), so we'll see if that helps things.

As for now, I'm off to tend to my battle wounds.

Wow thats tough. Just some ideas to throw your way. Try bottled water like distilled or regular to heat up on the stove and try and make lather with that. You'll be able to discount water hardness which may be the culprit. Two, you can toss the brush, you don't need it. Just use your finger and get some (a very, very, small amount) and put in on your fingertips and rub it into your beard. Ensure that you can't see through it. Three, use the lather that you do make with the brush to reapply just to the area your working on. Four, get a soap. They are easier to create lather with, you'll need it to learn with. Fifth, run the very tip of the spike point along the side of your hone at 45 degree angle to blunt the spike so it'll stop biting you. Just a few strokes will dull it for a long time.

Here is my tip of the week.. . Go to classic shaving and purchase some cremo cream. Put a little on your brush and lather on your face. I find it really makes it so I cannot see any skin. Works for me.