Had to have a chuckle at that reply.
Yeah, keep the angle low. Watch a few vids on you tube to see how others stretch their skin. 100 or so shaves, it will all come together. Best of luck.
Printable View
Yeah bifocals don't help or make it easy do they.........Ahh the joy of aging
Congrats on the successful start. I'm pretty new at it myself, probably about 30 shaves or so - I use a DE the four days a week I go to work, and straights the other 3 days, when I have time and can relax. What I found improved my shave a lot was a little mantra I repeat to myself before and during a straight razor shave; Angle, Pressure, Stretch. As long as the angle is very small, the pressure is extremely light, and I remember to stretch the skin, I get a close, comfortable, and bloodless shave.
Thanks. Angle. Pressure. Stretch. Seems nice and easy to remember and repeat.
I seem a bit late to the party as all the good advice has been given.
Slow and deliberate strokes are important at the start. If you get to a point where you aren't confident of what to do stop. It is going to take a while to get it right but you will get there, and as a few previous posters have said eventually a good view will become less important. Once you know the angle and direction of stroke required the mirror is just a useful help.
Good deal on your first SR shave. Keep it up and smooth shaves to you.
Mike