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Hi! I'm a 54 yr old newb to straight razors. I've just finished scraping all the skin off my face with one of my newly acquired straights. Skin and a few whiskers, leaving quite a few hairs in the process, but I'll keep at it until I learn how to do it right.:)
Hello, episaacs, and welcome to Straight Razor Place. There are many of us here with a few decades notched onto our championship belt. You're in good company.
Indeed, stay with it and it will happen. Throw the clock away and take your time to hone your skill. Little by little. In the meantime, we're all here to help.
Ha, the way you matter-of-factly describe your efforts to scrape the skin off your face left me chuckling. I've had about 12 or so shaves now and I truly see how they say it takes a hundred times to really leave that neophyte stage.
I've forced myself to use my left hand for the left side of my face (I'm right handed) I think steepened the learning curve a bit but has really paid off handsomely. It also seems that once I feel like I know what I'm doing going WTG, when I go ATG or XTG, it's like I'm starting all over again.
I'd suggest looking at the wiki here, first shave information, etc. and that will really get you going down the right path. Also, I don't always get to shower before I shave (I sometimes have to shave when I get home from work because it takes me too long to shave at this point) so prep is a really big thing for me losing the advantage of a warm shower, so be sure to check into that, too. Personally I use a hot towel and warm up my face, use a hair moisturizer conditioner while I'm mixing my shaving cream, wipe that all off with another hot towel, and then use a little half and half spritz of home-mixed oil (olive and castor)... just a little... and then really work in the lather before I shave. That has helped a lot; I've been very fortunate not to have cut myself bad thus far, just a nick here and there.
Afterwords make sure you take care of your face as well as your blade. I use Nivea skin cream right now, but I'm thinking about buying that Skin Food. However, the Nivea makes a huge difference for me.
Good luck and welcome to Straightrazorplace.
-Mark
Thanks guys! I've read quite a few things on here so far and have shaved only a few times. I'm using the left hand for the left side, etc., but forget to stretch my skin sometimes. I used a Japanese razor tonight and only nicked myself one tiny time heh heh... it's going to take a few shaves to get all the whiskers off, I can see that now. I'm already into it with both feet, having bought stones to hone with including a new coticule. I hope the missus doesn't find out how much I've already spent ;) she's offered to buy me the seven day set in the classifieds...she's an angel! And I'm gonna take her up on it too.
Im into pipes and fedoras, as I suspect a lot of you all are. I like old school. Play a little guitar and collect knives, make bows and arrows and bullwhips from cowhide and kangaroo skins. Just started playing with my new katana. Guess you could say I have a lot of varied interests. I can see a razor collection in my future, and I'm sure I will want to learn to work on them too, like I do everything... whole hog! Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Ed