Thread: OK, so the emporer DOES have clothes!

I'm guessing I'm not the only one who, after enduring too many days of razor burns, flesh wounds, cold lather, seemingly permanent stuble, and many other signs of str8 futility wondered how inflated some of the talk of great shaving was. Some days it seemed people's description of comfort and closeness musta been a LOT different than mine. It all seemed a little like the Emperor's New Clothes. But, after enough tips, trial and error, and practice, practice, practice, I'm here to say that YES, you CAN routinely get a BBS with a straight and have it feel as good as advertised!! And, now that it is becoming my norm rather than the exception and I'm settling into familiar, comfortable equipment, routine and technique it's great!

So to all who struggle and wonder, hang in there!

And to all who help out around here, THANKS!

And to me...watch out...I'll probably whack myself a mean one tomorrow .

- Dale

Well said, spokeshave.... it really is possible to regularly get a shave that's incomparable in comfort and closeness with a straight razor, but it usually doesn't happen right away. But... it doesn't take years, either and the shaves continue to get better and better as you learn.

I have been doing this since about September. The first few months were a blood bath, with only one residual but slowly disappearing scar. I find now that the main reasons I have any problem is if my razor is not quite sharp enough, or if I let my lather dry out too much and then get skipping.

I rarely cut myself, perhaps now once monthly. Of course, two days ago I was thinking this and sure enough nicked my chin when I tried to get too aggressive at the jaw line. The main time I injure myself is either when I am not paying attention, or when I am trying a different angle or position or direction of cutting than I am used to.

I still find a DE disturbingly easier to handle, at least around the curves like the chin, but the straight offers me less ingrown hair and is much more fun for an obsessive like me.

Same here, settling into regular bbs shaves. I'm just getting ready to let my guard down so I can lop my ear off. I'll post when I do. - John

Originally Posted by Namdnas

Same here, settling into regular bbs shaves. I'm just getting ready to let my guard down so I can lop my ear off. I'll post when I do. - John

With a pic too please.