Thread: 40 year old virigin

Just started a new chapter in my life in manliness and decided to go the straight razor route. I have been reading as much as I can on this forum on the do's and dont's and decided to make the plunge and try to purchase descent equpiment. My first shave was last night and it went o.k. I hate to admit it, but I found myself a little scared during the shave. I thought I prepared my face o.k. I showered while my brush soaked and and applied pre-shave oil after my shower. I decided to use Art of Shave sandlewood cream and it lathered well. I applied a thick coat of lather and took my first drag without hesitation. The right side of my face went without much of an issue, but since I can't wipe my butt with my left hand I found it awkward when I had to work with my left side of the face. When I began to be a bit fearful is when I started on my neck and I almost had to take a deep breath before I began .lol. My right side of the neck went well also, but again my ambidextrous problems raised it's ugly head and I had to use the alum block a couple times. I finished with a cold face wash and some after shave balm and overall felt that my manliness meter rated a bit higher. I will have to admit I used my disposable razor to clean up some missed spots on my neck and the groove between my ear and jawbone, but I hope to soon be able to figure it out. I do where glasses and my vison isn't the best and am wondering if anyone has any helpfull hints or ideas with different type of mirrors that work best for straight shaving.

Todd

I picked up a mirror that telescoped out with a magnified reflection from Ikea. As it also rotates vertically I've found it helpful. Well except that it lets me know how much I still need to work on my chin.

Greetings and welcome to this wonderful forum. As a relative newbie too, I can relate to the issues that arose during your first shave. As typical men, you and I ignored all about the newcomer advice that states to start with your dominant hand at first and practice for the first few shaves.

With the benefit of hindsight, I can tell you that straight shaving is a completely different 'beast' to cartridges and disposables and that it is very sound advice, unless you are prepared for some nasty cuts on your left side in the beginning. If I could go back in time, I would start off shaving the area under my sideburns down to my jaw line for the first few days. Get used to holding the razor, find the best angle to cut the whiskers (for me it's about 20 degrees) and practice stretching the skin before moving on to the right cheek, then the right side of the neck etc etc. Sure it sounds long winded (might take you up to 2 weeks to finally manage shaving your whole face) but, trust me, it will save you from nasty cuts, spots and horrendous razor burn!!!

In the meantime, make use of your left hand more eg whilst brushing your teeth, opening jars etc. Also practice 'shaving' with your left hand with a butter knife or the sorts.

I, too wear glasses and found a free standing shaving mirror on the sink helps a lot. Other than that, it's just a question of getting the hang of it.

Anyhow, welcome to the club! It is indeed a very manly thing, shaving with a straight razor.....

Ash

I wish my first shaves went that well.

'Sounds like you're off to a really good start. It'll get easier and also closer.

That you finished w/ another razor - for now - is a GOOD thing. Don't worry about bravado here - enjoy your shaves. It was such a relief to me a couple yrs ago when a thread about 'problem areas' revealed than many members used other blades to touch up difficult spots. All the technique stuff will come. Don't let worries about it spoil a good shave.