Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24
Like Tree16Likes

Thread: Newfound respect

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    State College, PA
    Posts
    8
    Thanked: 0

    Default Newfound respect

    Hello from central PA...

    After several weeks of reading and ordering supplies, I just had my first whirl with a straight razor. I have a newfound respect for those of you who can do this so effortlessly! Trying to hold the razor at an appropriate angle without blocking my own vision was far more awkward than I had expected. I am very happy for the recommendation of only shaving a small portion on the side of one's dominant hand first. Had I tried to shave my whole face at once I'm sure I would have been a bloody mess.

    I also learned directly why a spike tip is not recommended for a newbie. Even a muted spike point. Oops.

    Anyway, thanks to all who contribute here. I am looking forward to developing the skill I need to make it the whole way across my face.

    Oh - one other item... I wear glasses. How have others worked their way to 'knowing their face' without the need for glasses? I can't decide if slightly blurry vision or the presence of glasses is more of a hurdle.
    Last edited by jfritsch; 09-25-2012 at 03:50 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member StraightRazorRobot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    California
    Posts
    108
    Thanked: 11

    Default

    welcome to the forums! I'm also a wetshaver who wears glasses. It's usually a better idea to shave with them, rather than without lol

    The only issue I have is when i'm reaching over my head to pull my sideburns taut, it shifts my glasses a bit, but it gets easier with time and practice. Seriously, the slight annoyance of having glasses while trying to learn is alot better and IMO safer than trying without. I don't know about you, but my depth perception is off without my lenses, so that would mess with me alot.
    tiddle likes this.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to StraightRazorRobot For This Useful Post:

    jfritsch (09-25-2012)

  4. #3
    Bevelsetter
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    625
    Thanked: 109

    Default

    Welcome jf. I wear glasses but for shaving they come off. I have a swing out mirror on the wall with magnification on one side. I also use the wall mirror but I have to lean in close to see what I am doing.

    Secret to success with the spike point is to shave with the heel and always have the tip angled away from your face. I have poked an ear lobe or two for lack of depth of field in the mirror. At first there is just so much you need to think about it is simple to have a problem. With practice (figure 50-100 shaves) the muscle memory starts to take over the thinking and you can move your concentration to the next issue.

    You will be getting it all together soon enough and helping someone else along.

    I went about 100 shaves before things settled down somewhat. It can be difficult still for me to decide just what element is causing my effects but the fun is in the discoveries and at some point the shaves just get easier and smoother and more comfortable.
    YMMV
    It just keeps getting better

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to jaswarb For This Useful Post:

    jfritsch (09-25-2012), roughkype (09-26-2012)

  6. #4
    Learning something all the time... unit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Central Missouri
    Posts
    1,690
    Thanked: 247

    Default

    I know what you mean...I block my own line of sight frequently. I basically have learned to use the mirror to guide WHERE to shave but not HOW to shave. That may sound odd, but basically, if I look into the mirror and try to correct my angle, I always seem to apply the opposite correction to what is intended because it is a reflection (I guess?).

    Anyway, over time you develop a "feel" for what you are supposed to do, and the mirror just shows you where you have not yet shaved.

    I may be the only one that feels this way, but that is how I do it. The more I concentrate on what the guy in the mirror is doing, the worse my results are.

    Welcome aboard, and enjoy the ride. I think you will find it is fun and rewarding...and always getting smoother
    tiddle likes this.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to unit For This Useful Post:

    jfritsch (09-25-2012)

  8. #5
    Not with my razor 🚫 SirStropalot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    1,859
    Thanked: 568

    Default

    Hello jfritsch;
    Welcome to the SRP forum, glad to have you on board. That first shave is a little intense, isn't it. I know mine was. I remember thinking how hot it was in the bathroom that morning, much more than usual, because beads of perspiration were just rolling down my face. I had trouble with it getting in my eyes even. Then it occurred to me it was nervous perspiration. Just go slow, which it sounds like your doing, and take one thing at a time. Don't shoot for the perfect shave right off. One thing, on the blade angle, start with an almost flat angle to the face and if that doesn't shave then increase it just slightly until it is shaving. If you start with too high of an angle and then try to work down, you'll more likely to end up with some cuts.
    I started not needing glasses, but since I've had to start using them to shave. As you progress you will develop feel for the razor on your face and you'll make many strokes by feel because you just can't get the angle to see. It'll become something that is second nature and just happens. To get at that sideburn area, I think that's where you're referring to, try using a guillotine type stroke and it will help your field of view. Cant the razor slightly heal down and make your stroke straight down as a guillotine would fall, but, rather than trying to explain it here's a video link to Charlie Lewis (spazola) using that stroke as he shaves, with glasses. YouTube - Straight Razor Shave With OCD Singing Razor

    Easy with that spike point. You'll get the hang of it, but you have to always be thinking where it is and it's easy to get involved with trying to shave a certain area and forget where it's at. Good Luck, and we're always here for questions.

    Regards
    Howard
    lindyhop66 and unit like this.

  • The Following User Says Thank You to SirStropalot For This Useful Post:

    jfritsch (09-25-2012)

  • #6
    Vitandi syslight's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Scharie County, NY USA
    Posts
    2,761
    Thanked: 224

    Default

    I have to wear my glasses, even the extendable shaving mirrors do not help my poor vision. Charlie's vidideo is good but i cheat a bit an wear longer sideburns (mid ear) which gives a little more room under the frames and is a bit easier to see. as for the spike you just need to give them a little time they will grow on but over time you are likely to own all the blade points and widths so just take your time and learn the merits of each.


    jim

  • The Following User Says Thank You to syslight For This Useful Post:

    jfritsch (09-25-2012)

  • #7
    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lone Star State
    Posts
    25,827
    Thanked: 8588

    Default

    I use reading glasses for up-close. I must set the right nosepiece on the bridge of my nose to see to shave the left temple! No probs on the right! I know some who have a dedicated pair for shaving as well.
    Whatever works!

  • The Following User Says Thank You to sharptonn For This Useful Post:

    jfritsch (09-25-2012)

  • #8
    Senior Member Havachat45's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Redbank, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    1,639
    Thanked: 291

    Default

    I really love my bi-focal contact lenses.....
    Hang on and enjoy the ride...

  • #9
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    State College, PA
    Posts
    8
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Gave it a shot while wearing my glasses today. MUCH easier! Still a lot to learn in regard to muscle memory and technique, but I felt a little more like a man shaving and a little less like a masochist with a razor blade.

    Thank you to all for the great advice and resources!

  • #10
    MJC
    MJC is offline
    Senior Member MJC's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    The Lone Star State
    Posts
    1,710
    Thanked: 382

    Default

    Welcome to our Merry Bandaid of Brothers...

    I wear glasses, but take them off to shave. I found that the different "views" as a tilted my head back to be disorienting.
    Like others I found that a tilting mirror with some magnification to be a big help.
    If you use one, experiment with moving closer/farther away. I noticed on mine that as the focal length changed I would get a smaller field of view, but magnification that helped a lot, especially working around the ear for me.
    100 shaves is a good benchmark for many - you will also have "breakouts" by the time you get to 25 and then 50.

    My biggest mistake when starting was too many razors....(gasp)
    I only learned this when I was trying to master the Feather/CJB and used it exclusively for 20+ days in a row instead of once a week (or less....)
    Early on I could have helped myself with a "less is more" approach.
    There are so many variables to the process that the less complicated you make it the better (IMHO)

    Congratulations, you are well on your way and in the right place to get help/support.
    And this is the place find enablers to lead you down the path of RAD, HAD, SAD and all of our other shared afflictions...
    jaswarb and lindyhop66 like this.

  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •