Thread: G'day, fresh to the straight

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

If you can get that razor honed by one of the pros down there , your shaving experience will be even better

I was pretty lucky to have gotten this straight from a local honing specialist. It arrived freshly honed, and with another free go over the stones down the track.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I,m surprised you didn't learn to stretch the skin with your DE, I used one for over 40 years and that's where I learned my wet shaving technique, But everyone learns a different way. Good luck on future shaves. Tc

I know. But I am going to introduce some of those contorted poses into my DE shaves. Nothing like some yoga first think in the morn.

Originally Posted by BobH

You are off to a better start than I was, congrats.

Sorry to hear that mate. So did the stitches heal OK?

Originally Posted by BobH

As far as grip goes, use what you are comfortable with. Personally I have 2 fingers in front and 2 behind also.

Appreciate the reassurance. I forgot to mention I adopted the two fingers either side approach for the second shave and it still did just feel right.

Originally Posted by BobH

You might be getting those cuts because of the angle you were using. Mind the gap between the razor's spine and your face. Try about 2 spine widths. If you open the gap too much I think the blade will dig in giving you a cut. Also if you don't stroke the blade straight down but have a slight sideways movement at the start that can also lead to an ooops. Keep having fun.

Thanks Bob I'll keep an eye on this...wherever I can sneak a peek between all the limbs that seem in the path of the mirror.

Originally Posted by Prahston

Some use a towel over the shoulder for wiping and some use a large kitchen sponge... Just a couple ideas.

Hmmmmm I like the idea of the sponge. Even I can clean that, as I fear the proliferation of towels coincident with the arrival of more parcels of shaving gear will stretch the better half's patience.

Originally Posted by Prahston

On the grip, using and Alum Block and rubbing your fingers on it prior to shaving may help the grip.

Cheers Shawn. I've meted out this advice to novice DE shavers in the past and hadn't even thought about doing the same with the straight. Great reminder thanks mate...jeez I can be a little thick sometimes....

Originally Posted by Prahston

For strange little cuts here and there the other thing to watch for is strange head movements at the end of the stroke as you may be targeting somethjng else with your eyes as you are finishing the stroke and catching a little cut that way... Keeping my eyes absolutely fixed on the blade while it was on my skin helped when I was starting out.

Will do mate. This is a real Zen practice isn't it? Complete with the little sensei with the sharp bamboo rod to whip your back if your mind strays.

Originally Posted by wayne394

Welcome to the forum! It's obvious that you are clearly addicted already. Which straights are you getting next? Good luck with your progress.

Boy am I addicted. Well I'm glad you asked Wayne as I'm thinking a kamisori and also a Maestro Liv...... oh who am I kidding I need to keep my head down and learn this blade first. Though that kamisori does sound good, hmmmm....

Originally Posted by eddy79

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

Thanks Ed. Great to meet a fellow Aussie, albeit a West Coaster

Originally Posted by eddy79

Make sure you are moving the blade before touch down. Never just touch down then start moving.

Mate the more I read post-shave the more I'm convinced this is a habit I need to address. Doesn't seem intuitive but seems a blade at rest is more dangerous than a moving edge. Hmmmm.... it is odd as this has never been an issue with a DE.

Originally Posted by eddy79

I use a wet flannel on the edge of the basin to strop the lather off. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks mate. x2


Great replies. Another reason to continue the Zen training. What a place!!!!