Thread: experiencing some tug.

Originally Posted by ian452

The big mistake I made was going from multi-blade to straight. I highly recommend that newbies buy a DE. I was waiting for my sister to send me my dad's old Gillette slim adjustable from England and couldn't wait... shaved with the straight several times while I was waiting. Talk about blood and rash. Once I got the DE I used it for a few weeks and it conditioned my skin. Now shaving with the straight is a dream.

I was also pressing too hard, even with the DE. Apparently this is a common mistake because we press on really hard with multis to get any semblance of a decent shave. We must un-learn.

I would also recommend a pre-shave cream. I use Proraso green pre-shave and it makes a huge difference... did some tests it works. And a Alum bar for immediately after will keep the bumps down.

And be careful.... those things are razor sharp :-)

I whent Dr m a multi to a straight no prob

[QUOTE=ian452;1518502]I was talking about the technique - Gillette used to put a little booklet of how to shave in with their razors (that was even before my time) One of the techniques was called the Gillette slide. I use a similar motion with my straight. It's just moving the blade a little laterally when you stroke. Think of it like cutting with a knife, just pressing makes cutting hard, slide the knife and it cuts easier. I found it much harder to do it (safely) with my left hand... so I felt some tugging (minor)... you get better at it.

Are you talking about scyting, its a old but fairly advanced technique:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ng-motion.html

Read the 7th post down it mentions the Gillette slide.

I believe so - I always call it the slide, which I learnt in the 70's on DEs. Once you get it right it is very obviously better. I also think pre-shave cream does a lot to help. Certainly more than I originally thought - the difference with to without is quite marked.

And be careful the slide makes cutting skin easier as well.

Yeah, I used to take a little sliver off my jaw line when I was learning, once you get the hang of it you are ok though.

I have a little scar on my jaw that is probably a match for yours... took a small rectangle of skin so thin I didn't even feel it. When I was learning my business partner said I looked like I'd been in a knife fight... actually that was only a few months ago - still learning.

Originally Posted by ian452

I have a little scar on my jaw that is probably a match for yours... took a small rectangle of skin so thin I didn't even feel it. When I was learning my business partner said I looked like I'd been in a knife fight... actually that was only a few months ago - still learning.

BRI. It'll go way , don't pull or scratch it to much