Thread: Hello from MD

Congrats! You did a fine job for the first shave.

Shave #2. I wanted to try it again and work on a few issues that I had yesterday.

I used the AOS demo pack (oil, shave cream, after-shave lotion) this time around and was pretty impressed. I took a hot shower and then worked up a lather. I applied the oil and then the shaving cream and started in.

I was able to do my cheek with my left hand for the WTG pass. I tried it on my neck but ended up falling back to my dominant hand. I cut myself once on the WTG pass and four times on the ATG pass. I was also able to navigate 90% of my chin so it is nice and smooth for the most part. I was also able to carefully get above my lip and that is nice and smooth.

I ended up putting lotion on my face after posting yesterday so the AOS lotion was good to have handy this time around.

I stropped it well before and after shaving and I still am pretty weak on my technique. I need to find a place to mount the strop to make it easier. I laid it on a flat surface for my pre-shave stropping (saw that as a suggestion for people just starting out to get used to the technique) and then connected it to a sturdy power cord of an unused TV I have lying around for the post-shave one. I will probably mount a hook to the wall when I get a chance to go to the hardware store.

I think I have a long way to go before I can get a good shave with a straight razor. Years ago I mapped out the wonky angles of my facial hair to get a closer shave with a disposable razor. Now I'm having to remap those and figure out how to get the SR to move in the correct direction for each section of my face all while keeping the proper angle for that pass.

Thank you all for your feedback and tips over the past few days. They have helped out a lot.

Looks to me that you're doing really well. I personally think that it all comes down to patience and practice. Also, it's a question of not expecting too much too soon. Things will definitely improve on your left side the more shaves you get under your belt.

Take your time, examine your hand position before you place the blade to your face, to make sure you've got the right angles. After a while it will just be second nature as your left hand/arm develops its muscle memory.

The one thing that came as a Eureka moment for me is adjusting your head position to get a better view. Carts make it too easy, you just look straight ahead at the mirror and shave, with no risks of cuts. So initially, i found i had to make a conscious effort to re-adjust for better views.

Make sure your lather is well hydrated, at first it will take you a while to get a full shave, and the lather might dry out and loose its slickness, hence causing cuts.

Finally, i had my first weeper in almost 3 weeks today whilst going ATG under the chin. Got overconfident and when the blade got 'stuck', I just forced it along, with a wrong angle. Thought me a lesson!

All in all, i think you're doing much better than me when I started off. Congrats! Believe you me, it will just get better and better...

Regards,

Ash