Thread: Hello from Michigan

Hello All,

My name is Spiro. I am an Undergraduate Microbiology Major at Michigan State University. When I first started shaving, I used a cheap electric shaver. However, I quickly switched over to cartridge razors like the Gillette Fusion because the electric shaver couldn't give me the clean shave I wanted. I have since found out that I have very sensitive skin and very tough, corse facial hair. With this combination, cartridge razors left my face cut up and covered in razor burn no matter what I tried.

I started shaving with a Straight Razor last week, and so far, the experience is infinitely better. I have used it for full shaves several times already with great results. In all my shaves so far I have had no razor burn and only one or two nicks total between them all, so I am very happy so far with Straight Razor shaving as a whole. WTG shaves have been going flawlessly. When I do XTG or ATG it seem to be much tougher. There is a lot more tugging and resistance here, as apposed to the WTG where the razor glides easily down my face. While I feel this is probably pretty normal, I think there is more tugging on the XTG and ATG shaves then there should be. Does anyone have any thoughts here?

Former TC native here. Welcome. I just recently posted this link on another thread but look carefully at his techniques. This vid actually helped me out some years back. Cheers ! http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ml#post1446983

Welcome to SRP!
My first thought is that the blade isn't sharp enough. The blade should never tug. It may also be that your angle is to steep. You want the spine of the razor to be about 2 spine widths off of the skin to get the right angle.

That being said, it sounds like you are starting out pretty good. XTG takes a little bit more skill than WTG and ATG takes a little bit more skill than XTG, but that skill comes from shaving.

Make sure that you read the Beginner's Section in the Library and ask questions as they come up.

Welcome to SRP and congratulations on your first Straight Razor shaves.
Now you no longer shave like a G.I.R.L.!

(GENT IN RAZOR LIMBO)

Hi and welcome. As you go from wtg to xtg lower the angle and then lower again for atg. It will take practice and is good to start with a couple wtg passes then a xtg and add atg when you have that down pat. Good luck

Wecome to SRP!