Thread: How was you first shave with a straight?

I keep seeing people make posts on one of the Facebook groups about how they got a brand new straight razor and just got the best shave of their life. Can anybody here really claim that? I've just started using a straight and can get a nice, clean shave on the easy areas. But after a couple of passes on the neck and chin, I do a little clean up with me DE to avoid the risk of weepers or burn.

Maybe I'm wrong, but if people really get the best shave of their life the first time they use a straight, I have to wonder how bad their prior shaves have been.

I'd say you're generally seeing it right. First shaves for me had only a factory Dovo edge, which was not workable. I got the name pinklather for a reason. 'Requires no explanation.

Initial shave with a straight razor tend to be 'less than ideal.' Anyone who does claim their first go was 'the best shave in my life' does indeed make you wonder what in the world they were using to shave with prior to a straight? It's a fairly steep learning curve...

I unfortunately also believe people tend to "inflate" their results. I think everyone is just so excited after their first SR shave that they just can't help themselves. (I know I was) When I see " I got a perfect BBS on my second shave" I tend to wonder........but maybe I am wrong.

My first several shaves saw a minor cut or two and some pretty good razor burn. It all came together but it certainly took two or three weeks to get a fairly decent result. The big kicker for me was learning to not apply pressure and get the angles right.

My first straight razor shave was memorable for one, and only one reason: no blood was let! The shave was passable, and that both surprised and encouraged me.

My first SR shave was the most enjoyable shave that I had up to that point in time, but far from the best shave. I was a good month in before I started getting an acceptable shave with just a SR.

Sometimes "best" means " I didn't slit my throat" "Very close call" :<0)

I can say, I had the most fun shaving the first time with a straight. It was also the first moment when I knew I was going to need a hone.

About 2 weeks into it and, finally having a razor that would shave, I felt like I had the best shave of my life. Didn't realize it while I was doing it but minutes later in my truck on the way to work. My face actually felt great. Been hooked every since.

My first 3 months or so of straight use were pretty ordinary to not very much fun at all, i could get pretty smooth but in the process lost a layer or two of skin, in fact i was noticing my skin looking plasticy or waxy or something and it was tender as.
I believe that PERHAPS a fraction of 1% of these claims are almost the truth.
Anyone who can be proficient in anything after one or two attempts without any real instruction is either a liar, genius, or is doing something pretty intuitive like breathing. in saying that there is a feller at work who is so forgetful that i am surprised he manages to remember to breathe on his own.

Mine was terrible. I got a terrible shave and my lather was horrible. I specifically remember the lather drying in the beginnings. I was really close to giving it up and then I bought an old beat up "Leader" on here for $50 and it changed my shaving life...lol. Still one of my favorite shavers and just had Glen re hone it. Not sure why but I just can't shave with a Dovo no matter who hones it and thats what I started with (still to this day I can't use either of the 2 I have). Maybe its a mental thing but as soon as I stopped using the Dovo and got some other razors I started making progress.

My first shave was terrible, rolled the edge of the razor with my belt, and cut it up. Pretty certain the only whiskers I took off were pulled out at the roots, been hooked ever since.