Thread: First timer, and I think I have the bug after one time....idk

I bought a Gold dollar 208 kit after accidentally clicking a Youtube video of someone getting a shave from a barber with a straight. Maybe because it was kind of an ASMR video it sucked me in, or I don't know why.

But I had to watch a few more after that, and then it had me.

I found myself buying my own manly style razor online from the first one on my google search, while realizing I'm extremely nervous of actually trying it,(have only used cartridge or electric my whole life) but Youtube was going to be my online shaving college, and hopefully I wouldn't slice my face off.

Fast forward to the day it ships, and I start looking at forums, so I'm even more ready when it gets here with extra knowledge...

Then I see the talking about the gold dollars, and I'm instantly sure.....I'm going to cut my face off.

Some talk good. Lots.....cut face off, or at least won't work. Maybe I saw too many people being pretend murdered on tv as a kid with these things, but I wussed out for about 3 weeks after it got herem, until I finally tried it today.

I was going to just do a stroke or two from the sideburn, and call it a day LIKE ADVISED, but I'm too stupid to actually follow the plan once I have said cool looking razor in my hand, and don't bleed on the first try. I got most of my right cheek, and figured I would go until first blood since the initial freak out was over.

I got pretty much everything until you get under the jawbone, and into the throat. I got a little of the throat in one spot, but it got a bit tuggy (maybe I needed lather, or the angle was screwed up) and I said to myself I was done. I think I might have gotten the whole thing if I was willing to try, but I don't know. I was ready to quit happy and uncut, especially after being too anxious, and tempting fate. I always twist my head or jaw, or mouth to stretch the skin out when I shave, but I saw that it was important to pull the skin with the other hand to make it tighter. Meanwhile I was so involved at focusing on the blade I kept forgetting to do that, but when I remembered it was much easier. I had let the hair grow pretty long (4 days), but I don't have the thickest beard, so that probably saved me.

I felt like I had a couple close calls with angle, and pressure, but made it without a nick somehow.

Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of great people here who can give good advice on all aspects of shaving. It sounds like you have already watched a lot of shaving videos. You will find a lot of variations in what you see. There is not necessarily one way that works for everyone,; you need to try various techniques until you find out what works for you.

It sounds like you do not have a heavy beard, so that will make your learning process easier.
Beard preparation is important. If you can take a shower before you shave, that will get your beard clean and hydrated. If you do not have time for the shower, at least use a hot towel like barbers use before the shave.

It is important to generate a good lather on your face before you shave. Watch some of the videos on using soaps and creams. If the lather is too dry, it won't be slick enough. If the lather is too wet, it won't cushion properly. You can always add more water or more soap/cream as needed until you get your lather just right.

Do not try to remove all the beard in one pass. The key is not beard removal, but beard reduction. Run your fingertips over every area of your face to "map" the grain direction of your beard. The direction is likely change from one area to another. On the first shaving pass, try to shave so the blade is moving in the same direction as the hairs are growing. This is called With the Grain or WTG. As you shave, remember to "shave the cream" off your face rather than trying to shave the hair off your face.

After the first pass, relather your face and then make a second pass. For most folks, the second pass is made with the blade movement perpendicular to the grain direction of the beard. This is called Across The Grain or XTG. Then a third pass is made with the blade moving against the grain, ATG. For me, I shave one pass WTG, a second pass ATG and then do a third cleanup pass to remove anything missed on the second pass.

It sounds like you already know about stretching the skin tight. That is a big help.

Generally, starter kits do not come with any type of aftershave or balm. Check out the aftershave subforum. One inexpensive aftershave product often recommended is witch hazel. It has astringent and antiseptic properties that are helpful after shaving.

There may be other forum members in the St. Louis area who can give you some personal help with your shaving journey.
One thing you need to determine is whether your Gold Dollar razor is truly shave ready. Although the GD razors can be made shave ready, not every razor sold as "shave ready" has been honed properly.

Thanks for all the advice

Welcome to SRP!

My first straight shave took me over an hour of sweating and shaking. No blood, but I needed a nap afterwards.
You were smarter than most to quit when you realized you had gone far enough.
The shaves get much better and soon your lather will not dry out on you.

Take your time and enjoy the journey. Learning good techniques are key to a comfortable shave.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

Welcome to SRP!

My first straight shave took me over an hour of sweating and shaking. No blood, but I needed a nap afterwards.
You were smarter than most to quit when you realized you had gone far enough.
The shaves get much better and soon your lather will not dry out on you.

I was going to say something like this, but didn't. I wasn't shaking, but my brain felt like it had been seriously taxed by the time I was to the throat! I had a big smile afterwards, because something about it seemed like being a kid again fun, but I was a bit of a nervous wreck while I was actually in the middle of doing it. Like overconcentration X 10

Hello and welcome to SRP.
A little inside information for you. Our founder, Lynn, told me last week that there is a meetup in the St. Louis area on June 10th that he will probably be attending. He said that is was organized on Facebook and not here on the forum. I am not on Facebook so I don't know any of the particulars. I highly suggest that you do a little homework on this and try to attend. You could even PM him for the details. You will learn more at a meetup than you could possibly imagine, especially one with Lynn in the house. Don't miss this opportunity!
Anyway, enjoy your time here on the forum and have fun.

Pete <:-}

Exactly what RayClem said. Only thing to ask is did the razor come shave ready. Not just a factory edge but professionally honed? If not you are starting off with one strike behind you.

Originally Posted by bouschie

Exactly what RayClem said. Only thing to ask is did the razor come shave ready. Not just a factory edge but professionally honed? If not you are starting off with one strike behind you.

They say that all of their razors come shave ready, honed by them. I have no idea if that's actually true, because I know less than nothing about all this firsthand. If it was honed really nice I probably ruined it because I stropped it before use, due to another noob error.

I'm still happy with the first try with it. I got all my face down to just below the jawline, before getting nervous as I tried to shave the throat. To be fair, the lather was pretty much dried up, and useless by then, as it had taken me forever to shave the rest first. I was about to re-lather, but decided to quit while I was ahead on my 1st straight experience I can't wait to get one from someone on the classified known for sending out good razors to compare!

I also have learned I don't know how to delete threads when I accidentally make 2 identical posts.