Thread: First Time

So here it is...



Didn't realize the variables involved. It looked much easier on you tube.

How many of you use a second mirror?

Was having a hard time seeing point and angle at same time.

Hand seems to be in my line of sight quite a bit.

I got a little red spot too, guess maybe a bump?

No nick or cut but am sure they will be coming.

Need more practice on holding definitely....

Finished up with DE and will have another go tomorrow.

Congrats!

I really struggled with awkwardness during my initial straight shaves. I think your line of sight and angle issues will improve dramatically in your first weeks.

Congrats on giving it a go. Yea, it is not as easy as it looks for a newb but don't worry you'll figure it out . Take your time and work at your own pace, the awkwardness will slowly disappear.

Bob

Hey, 'Flight.
You bet there's a learning curve - and it won't be bloodless. But it WILL come & soon be natural & you'll be getting the best shaves of your life.

We're VERY conditioned to be a) visual and b) correcting underperformance by applying more force. This is a decent recipe for carnage w/ a straight. Visual isn't bad, but you'll find the touch & feel of the edge and the point to be more important. At first - the visual mostly keeps you from hacking up your ears. (those aren't scars on my ears - its body scupture) On learning finesse over force, a good rule is that if you have to apply more force or pressure - stop. You're doing it wrong & will soon have a colorful experience. Maybe even pinklather.

The photo shows some bumps & they would be easy to mow the tops off - I still do when I don't notice I have a bump - insect bite, irritation, etc. Extra light going over these. You'll hear 'light', 'easy', etc alot here.

When you get to navigating the curvy spots - lip to chin, jawbone, etc. it will be important to concentrate on your stretching. What's needed is to make the stubble available to the blade by stretching - not chase the stubble with it into the bottom of the curves.

A good thing is that all this learning comes whether or not you even try. 'Finishing w/ a DE or cartridge? No prob. Do it whenever you like. There's no prize for learning overnight. There IS less carnage.

Take your time, enjoy the parts of the shave done by the str8. As you go, you'll develope a feel as to when a stroke is going well & also a feel for when it needs a change of angle, direction, etc. Have some fun. You're gonna love it. 5 yrs later - I very much still do.

That looks like a decent start. No blood is always a good sign. Ease up on the pressure if your skin is a little red. Shave the lather not the whiskers.

Originally Posted by RezDog

That looks like a decent start. No blood is always a good sign. Ease up on the pressure if your skin is a little red. Shave the lather not the whiskers.

I remembered reading that and there seemed more grating where the DE just whacks hairs. I think I do need to let up when I go tomorrow.

Maybe don't go over that spit tomorrow do the other cheek, it looks like you could ease up on the pressure and you can feel when the angle is right , as for mirror I,m blind in one eye and I use feel for a lot of my face. You will get there but remember not to get in the "I got to do this thing perfect attitude" right now, it takes times and a few months from now it,ll click. Just go slow so that you learn things as you go instead of just rushing right by the little things. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Maybe don't go over that spit tomorrow do the other cheek, it looks like you could ease up on the pressure and you can feel when the angle is right , as for mirror I,m blind in one eye and I use feel for a lot of my face. You will get there but remember not to get in the "I got to do this thing perfect attitude" right now, it takes times and a few months from now it,ll click. Just go slow so that you learn things as you go instead of just rushing right by the little things. Tc

I wasn't going to change sides because that is my non-dominant hand but think I will go that route.

I was also right eye dominant when younger but vision has lessened in that eye but not the left eye and vision in the left is better up close.

I found that a second mirror was completely unnecessary. It also "confused" my hand while looking in it. Reaching over the top of my head to stretch up for the cheek helped and also starting my sideburns stroke just far enough from my ear to know I won't nick it then making my second stroke close enough to get the rest of the side burn helped me locate where exactly the blade is on my face. I wear glasses and am blind as a mole without them. The angle at which I need to see what I'm doing next to my ear makes me look past the edge of my glasses so all I can see is a blur of steel and skin. Eventually your muscle memory will catch up to what you're seeing and make shaving much easier.

Watch the pressure and the angle, and enjoy.

Great start, it is hard to see what you are doing at times. Comes with practice, after 100 or so shaves it won't be a problem.