Thread: Got my first straight

But in this case the PC is helping re-attach our... uhmmm... family jewels.

Well now you've gone and done it and gone over the point of no return. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Welcome to the fraternity.

Well, I just couldn't wait until the weekend. I ended up shaving last night with the straight...well partially with the straight. I wasn't too worried about trying to do much with it. I just wanted to try a couple strokes and get a feel for it. I did my cheeks and a couple strokes on my neck, one on my lip...thats about it. I didn't escape totally without drawing blood...but then again, I wasn't able to finish with my M3 without drawing blood either.

I'm pretty excited about how it went. My right cheek was almost as smooth as with the M3, so I figured that was fine. 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,

Congrats on the new razor. Go ahead and try shaving with your left hand. It may feel a bit awkward at first but after several tries, it will feel just as natural as using your right hand. I went through the same thing and now it feels odd to not switch hands. Your cheek should be as smooth as a baby's butt, so if it's not, you might need to do more beard prep and a bit more stropping and concentrate on keeping the angle between 20-30 degrees. That was the hardest part for me. As my shave progressed and I moved on to different parts of my face, I would notice that my angle was getting too steep and I'd have to readjust. Just take your time and after several weeks, it will feel totally natural to you. Good luck and happy shaving.

Originally Posted by senorswiss

I definitely don't think I can shave with my left hand though.

The trick is that you are just as clumsy with you right hand now... So, better start training both of your hands from the start. I did that, and now I don't have problem whatsoever shaving with both hands.

Nenad

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