Thread: What could go wrong?

Welcome to SRP. Sounds like you're off to a decent start so far..keep reading and remember to take it light and slow and you'll be fine.

So far so good!

Welcome to SRP. Don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions.

Congrats on your first straight shave, and welcome to SRP! Sounds like a standard first few shaves. As for advise, just read up as much as you can and watch some shaving videos between each shave. It sounds like you are doing this already, so cheerio!

Welcome, Haakon!

You're starting with a truly shave-ready blade, so you'll know right away how it should feel. That's a good start.

I've been shaving exclusively with a straight for about 5 months now, and I still haven't gotten it smooth under my chin. That's just a tough spot. Best to go across the grain there, rather than against it. Those are the stiffest little barbs, at least on my face, which makes them the likeliest ones to guide the blade into your skin on an against-the-grain pass.

Take a stick outside and swing it gently into some grass that's leaning in the direction you're swinging from. The grass will direct the stick into the ground. That's what's happening under that lather on your chin. Ouch!

Be patient with the transition--use the straight where it's easiest, and clean up the rest with whatever you shaved with before. You'll venture out onto more and more of your face as you get more comfortable with the straight. It took me a few months to switch over completely and give the disposables their final disposals.

Best wishes and happy shaving!

The grass was an interesting analogy - thanks! That adds some perspective to it and should help.

Originally Posted by Haakon

I should add that I am Native American and my beard is pretty weak to begin with. Getting a razor through it shouldn't be much of a challenge, right? This was my first erroneous thought.

Haakon,

Welcome to SRP!

I too have American Native heritage. Between my great, great grandmother being Cherokee and the European men on the other side of my family not being hairy I too have thin facial hair growth. I thought I knew what direction my sparse facial hairs grew until I started shaving with a straight. The only area of my face that is remotely "thick" is my mustache and goatee. When I decided to shave off the goatee I quickly discovered that some of those crazy hairs grew at bizarre angles. No matter what beard type a guy has, there are challenges to learning one's face. Thick or thin beard, straight shaving is an art that any man can enjoy.

Enjoy the ride, and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Greg