The exception to the "go slow" rule

I've been straight shaving for nearly two years and greatly enjoy the whole process each morning. It does normally take quite a while, 20-25 minutes. As I didn't get much sleep last night, I stayed in bed half an hour longer thinking I'd shave tomorrow. But no, I couldn't resist and hurried my shave, and...


it was brilliant! Used Geo Trumper Spanish Leather cream to save on lathering time, cold water to save on heating time, just splashed and lathered, did lightning-fast stropping, relathered and increased the speed of my passes.

I was very surprised to find that faster shaving is more comfortable on my skin, which is of course the result of bad technique when going slow. My guess is that when I go slow, I want to make the strokes too perfect and precise and hence use too much pressure, whereas when going fast I feel like I'm sloppier but actually get a very good shave. Two little weepers that stopped weeping after a few minutes, no irritation, finished in 10-15 minutes.

I think I'll be practising speed from now on, despite the fact that it seems like bad advice. I'm curious to hear your thoughts and experiences!

I usually end up cutting myself when staight shaving in a hurry.

Our member here "Ace" did a thread/post about this is the past, you should take a look for it I think you might find it a pretty good read for you...

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Our member here "Ace" did a thread/post about this is the past, you should take a look for it I think you might find it a pretty good read for you...

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Thanks, I suppose you mean this one? http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ml#post1180010
Interesting thing to try, I could certainly cut down on shaving time, especially as it seems to give such great shaves :)

Guys,
My father always told me that " good things take a long time"and that you only get out of something,what you put into it!
I always go slow and smooth when shaving with a straight, if nothing more than to enjoy the shave itself. Sure beats razor burn with a DE or a plastic throw away.
MHW

I can see how training this skill to some extent can be valuable when you need to shave but are short on time but i also really enjoy my shaving time so if i don't have a need to hurry then I will still take my time.

First, +1 to cowboy and others about taking the time to enjoy the shave.. However, if I am running behind or if we are going out later and I know I'll be shaving again in the evening, I'll do a one pass shave. I'll go WTG above the jawline, ATG below it, and a quick XTG touch up on those two trouble spots - you know the ones - and I'm done in ten minutes or less.



rs,
Tack

Tack, I do almost the same thing, I call it a Single Pass Multi-Directional shave,,, I mean after all this time I pretty much know what pass works best on each part of my face.. I use what I feel is the most effective whether it be WTG, ATG, or XTG on each section and a quick clear water touch up and I am done...

I learned it when I used my first Kamisori and tried it on western grinds after that...

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

T
.. I mean after all this time I pretty much know what pass works best on each part of my face.. I use what I feel is the most effective whether it be WTG, ATG, or XTG on each section and a quick clear water touch up and I am done..
..

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Exactly! That's what I should have said. :)


rs,
Tack

Same here on the multi one pass type of shave. The chin always takes a few extra strokes in all directions but other than that 10 to 15 on a shave and it's over.
Lauren you may be over thinking your daily shave but don't get careless trying to break land speed records. Simple short cuts, not facial surgery :<0)

I've got my shave down to 30 minutes (that's prep, lathering in scuttle, shave and cleanup)....I don't want to go any faster than that. Now on a Saturday, I'll put on a pot of coffee and take an hour:) ... it's a one-hour Red Imp morning tomorrow

I feel so lucky that i dont have to shave every morning.
I shave once or twice per week in the evening after a shower and there is no rush.
My facial hair gets to a nice length and those are the best shaves for me.
One pass down and one pass up, long strokes, dosnt take much time at all.
I'm just sick of catching myself with the point of the blade. I never used to do that :/

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Originally Posted by JOB15

I feel so lucky that i dont have to shave every morning....

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And I feel so lucky I get to shave every day :p I'm an addict.

My theory is that muscle memory is taking over in the faster shave. Avoiding over thinking each stroke. I try to find a good balance between trying for the perfect stroke and letting it just happen. Sometimes it will bight though

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Originally Posted by mwnc252

My father always told me that " good things take a long time"and that you only get out of something,what you put into it!
I always go slow and smooth when shaving with a straight, if nothing more than to enjoy the shave itself.

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Some sage advice :)

There really is no reason why shaving fast would improve technique, quite the opposite really. I would attribute the OP's results to luck rather than a revelation.

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Originally Posted by scott85

My theory is that muscle memory is taking over in the faster shave. Avoiding over thinking each stroke. I try to find a good balance between trying for the perfect stroke and letting it just happen. Sometimes it will bight though

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I think there is a difference with hurrying and shaving with confidence. Confidence will increase speed. That has come for me with time. My shaving time has decreased considerably over the last few months, and, of course, a lot shorter than when I started. There is a fine line between confidence and over-confidence though. Last time I crossed it I was reminded by the spike point I was using.

I'm no expert, but I shave 5-7 days a week due to being in the military, and sometimes I am quite rushed due to varying work schedule... This morning I had to be in work at 0330 So I managed a quick Str8 shave, with a Pre-Shave Oil, Proraso Cream, Bay Rum AS, and Niviea AS Balm.. No hot and cold towels..No wait between AS & Balm... Managed 15 Minutes with 2 Passes.... Very impressed...

I attribute my unscathed faced to one: as mentioned confidence or purposeful speed, and the other to luck...As I was shaving in a locker room style environment elbow to elbow...

My normal shave routine is 30-35 Minutes 3 passes... Hot towel followed by cold towel then AS, AS Balm with a wait between each...

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Originally Posted by foxblade

I'm no expert, but I shave 5-7 days a week due to being in the military, and sometimes I am quite rushed due to varying work schedule... This morning I had to be in work at 0330 So I managed a quick Str8 shave, with a Pre-Shave Oil, Proraso Cream, Bay Rum AS, and Niviea AS Balm.. No hot and cold towels..No wait between AS & Balm... Managed 15 Minutes with 2 Passes.... Very impressed...

I attribute my unscathed faced to one: as mentioned confidence or purposeful speed, and the other to luck...As I was shaving in a locker room style environment elbow to elbow...

My normal shave routine is 30-35 Minutes 3 passes... Hot towel followed by cold towel then AS, AS Balm with a wait between each...

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I bet you get some interesting reactions using a straight in that environment.:jedi:

Well, if it's luck, I must be on a lucky streak. I've kept up the pace since my first post and it's working out for me.

I think this goes back to YMMV... as you said it's working for you... So Awesome ! ! Yes... Several "you're gonna cut your throat" and the like... But for the most part questions... A few stairs... as we have 3 sinks and 33 guys... So this morning there was a line... :)

I feel like the speed needs to be natural, and speed will come naturally the more efficient you become with the blade. As long as you maintain focus and control at all times, knowing where the razor is and what it is doing

I am practicing scything at the moment and will shave every second day in the evening, SWOMBO makes dinner so might as well take my time and enjoy the process, 30 min start to finish. SWOMBO does complain how it takes me longer to get ready on the weekend now thoguh.

I like to take my time. I have a full beard so lots of trimming and tough angles. Once you get a pattern down it goes faster...

I don't really know - I haven't watched too many others shave. I think I shave quickly though. Generally speaking, I take quick long sweeping passes on my first run, then a bunch of short "re-strokes" on my second pass in the direction I know I need to take them in (I have mapped my face and know it intuitively now).

I like going "fast." It's not utilitarian - it's efficient. I don't mess around. Don't see a need for it.

That's not to say that I don't sometimes take longer - I do. Normally, when taking my time, I'll use my scuttle and I take a third pass.

It's funny how your individual shaving experience changes over time.

For me, first, it was the obsession with the BBS shave and the elaborate prep work. Then the utilitarian phase of cutting almost everything out, cold water, lather, 2 passes and the whole shave done in under 10 minutes, from start to finish clean-up bathroom.

Now, back to a full 3 or even 4 pass shave, no elaborate prep work, just taking the time to do a good shave, enjoying the blade, enjoying the lather, and the re-lathering 2, 3, or even 4 times to really get a great shave which also happens to be extremely relaxing and enjoyable. Still only takes about 15-20 minutes, could do it much quicker, but at this time, am enjoying it, who know's what the next iteration will be.

I find the whole ability to enjoy the shave, and enjoy how it evolves on its own, to be a lot of the Zen in this hobby IME....cheers!

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Originally Posted by Phrank

It's funny how your individual shaving experience changes over time....

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Absolutely true! I changed from trying to reach BBS to getting the best skin feeling I can. After all, I discard the hairs and keep the skin, the latter might as well be in good condition.

Apart from the long hot shower to soften the whiskers, my shave takes under 10 minutes. But then again, I'm new to this, and do my mo and the line down my neck/adams apple with a DE still. I don't aim for a BBS, just a comfortable shave experimenting with different angles / passes.

My problem areas need some momentum but the rest of my face slow does it.

As to overall shave time, it still takes me about 45 minutes a shave from getting my supplies to tucking everything away.

If I need to shave quickly, I just use a DE.