Thread: 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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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...