The exception to the "go slow" rule

[Laurens]

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!

[Kees]

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

[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...

[Laurens]

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

[mwnc252]

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

[UAcowboy]

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.

[Tack]

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

[gssixgun]

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...

[Tack]

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..
..

Exactly! That's what I should have said.


rs,
Tack

[10Pups]

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)