Thread: Another new guy from Minneapolis

Good day all...I've been reading the forum for a little over a week now. I purchased and received a Dovo Best Quality kit from SRD yesterday. I now have two straight razor shaves under my belt. My reasons for giving this a go? Basically I love technology and all that we can do with it (this forum) but do enjoy a lot of vintage/antique items...motorcycles, guitars, tools, music...and so on and so forth. I also have also had the pleasure of experiencing a barber shave in the past and for some reason the idea of doing it at home came to mind about a week ago, I found this forum, and jumped in both feet first.

From what I am reading, I don't think my first two shaves are out of the ordinary, but here's how it went and would really like to hear from the voice of experience that I'm on the right track.

So I went ahead and shaved my entire face and neck with the SR right from the start. The first thing I noticed is that it seems like the razor doesn't glide as well as I expected...I think this is part of learning the correct angle and probably more so getting the lather mix correct. I found in today's shave that I used a lot more water in the mix and it got better, I used a SRD shaving soap yesterday and today used an Art of Shaving cream with their pre shave oil. So I think I'm zeroing in on the correct lather consistency. I think prep was correct, yesterday the shave immediately followed a hot shower; todays consisted of hot water rinse, hot towel, oil, lather, hot towel, oil and lather again. Probably overkill with the oil and lather, but this is new and figured why not?

I have realized that under the sideburns and on my cheeks I have a shave that is much closer than anything I have done myself previously...this makes me believe I'm doing it right. The neck, chin, and under the lip are another story...I'm assuming this is part of the learning curve. Pretty good burn on the neck and had to touch up the chin and under the nose with a Mach3, I didn't want to force the issue with the SR and end up in the ER.

Finished up with a block of alum, a little sting but feels really good after a few minutes, and then an after shave balm to complete the process.

I'm right handed and not comfortable with the razor in my left, but with changing the grip with my right, I feel like I can get good control and position of the razor. Before developing a bad habit, is it worth the effort to learn with one's non-dominant hand?

I think I'm on my way...any advice?

Thanks in advance.

Paul

Welcome to SRP!

There are lots of MN members here. We are having a meet next weekend. If you can make it, it would be a great opportunity to meet some local enthusiasts as well as accelerate your learning. See the thread here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=76505

Welcome to SRP

HNSB said it right, there are a bunch of us in Minnesota with most being in the TC. The Razor Meet this weekend is your best chance to meet and learn from a bunch of us. This time the Razor Meet is 35 miles south of St. Paul in Cannon Falls. Just take Hwy 52 south. It is an easy drive. I just posted the address and directions in the thread last night.
There will be all kinds of help available and a ton of razors/hones & strops etc.. We will be finishing up a Damascus making class on Saturday and SkipNord will be bringing his wood lathe and demo'ing how to turn some shaving brush handles.

I will send you my contact details via PM.

Definitely pursue the non-dominant hand as soon as you are comfortable. You will learn and grow and achieve better shaves, it also supports brain health (neuro-plasticity).

I tried my non-dominant hand a few times. I agree that it would be good for brain health, but it was exceptionally detrimental to my skin health so I gave up. My left hand is not to be trusted.