Remarkable easy

[Vughtenaar]

I was a bit hesitant to start shaving with a straight razor, as it seems difficult/scary... but it turned out to be a smooth (pardon the pun) sailing. (for me) I bought some of that styptic powder stuff, but its just sitting there for now. (cross fingers) I practiced first with a Parker shavette for a couple of months, after I felt comfortable with that I bought my first straight razor. Got it since last week or so. Everyday I look forward to shave. Feels good and I like the sound the razor makes. Uber relaxing.

Still need a bit of final touch ups here and there... but that's no biggie. I do that with my Edwin Jagger DE89.

The videos from Geofatboy helped a lot.

Happy.

ps. I used the styptic powder once, when I had a small cut with the shavette. I prefer not to use the powder, as it will turn the cut black.

[10Pups]

Welcome to our world :<0) . I leave my styptic on the counter also. As soon as I put it away then I need it. It's like a good luck charm now. Or if a get in a hurry or go off thinking about something other than what I am doing. Sounds like your ready to find the finer points of it. Like which soap is best, which blade should I try next,etc. Enjoy !

[Wayne1963]

Do this when you feel ready for it: for touchups use the straight, but don't use lather. Splash water on the areas to be touched up. If you made a good lather for the previous passes, the heavy lifting has already been done and the water is all you'll need. The use of just water allows the blade to really provide a close touch up. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

[Vughtenaar]

I bought the shaving soap at Crab & Evelyn. Seems to last a good while. I tried to touch up with water as recommend. The razor slides much easier indeed. I can't get it totally BBS on each side of of the neck area... when I feel with my fingers, it feels like the beard is growing to the right on one side and to the left on the other side. (outward directions) If that's the case then I am not sure what technique to use as its a bit awkward to shave against those directions. Any tips?

ps. with the DE razor you can just go any angle and zoom along... how to get those angles with a straight razor?

[10Pups]

Guillotine pass does it for some. I can pull the skin enough and move the razor just right to get it when I really want too. Practice practice practice be careful practice .

[Vughtenaar]

Guillotine pass does it for some. I can pull the skin enough and move the razor just right to get it when I really want too. Practice practice practice be careful practice .

Done, got a babysmooth result. I did a nice 3 pass shave... with some good warm face rinsing in between. I paid a bit more attention to the angles + a bit of stretching of the skin. Works great. I am getting much faster at it too. Didn't time it (guess 20 minutes or so)... not that its a race... most important is the enjoyment and getting a nice result.

Sorted out all "problem" areas. (chin, neck, under nose and mouth) Muscle memory is kicking in.

Bought and applied some nice aftershave too to top it off. Skin is nice soft now.