I started using a straight razor - a new Thiers Issard 5/8" - a few months ago to shave only my neck on an occasional basis as I had an otherwise full beard. My wife finally persuaded me to lose the beard and I shaved it off on Boxing Day. Since then I have completed four full face shaves, two with my Thiers Issard and two with a Victorian/early 20th C English Sheffield-made razor, also 5/8", which probably belonged to my grandfather and which I recently cleaned and resharpened.

I like the idea of shaving with a cut-throat (as we like to call them over here) for a number of reasons and it undoubtedly gives a better shave. I am still very much finding my feet however and so far have cut myself on every shave. I have very coarse stubble, a large adam's apple, rather sunken cheeks and a grain which seems to go all over the place. I also need to wear glasses to shave and my only pair is varifocal so I can find it difficult to see what I am doing. My bathroom lighting is not great either.

I am determined to crack the technique however and will be seeking as much help as I can from all you good folks on this forum!

Nigel