First Baby Step Straight Razor Shave was a Success!

I got my first straight razor in the mail yesterday and couldn't wait to try it out. However, I also have seen a number of Lynn's videos where he cautions against trying to shave your whole face the first time. He recommends an incremental or small step approach, so that is what I did.

I lathered up and shaved down my right cheek, and then switched to shave my left cheek with my left hand and called it a day. Finished up with my safety razor. It was very tempting to try and do more, but I decided to heed Lynn's advice and I think that will serve me well. No cuts or nicks first day out, so I'm looking forward to shaving a little more of my face with the straight tomorrow.

Also, I did at times seem to have trouble with the visibility once I was skin stretching and had the razor raised to my face. I had to keep adjusting to make sure I could get a clear view in the mirror, any thoughts or advice?

In the interest of full disclosure I also have to admit that my angle was too steep, so that is something else I 'll be working on tomorrow.

I'm hooked!

Congrats on the first success with a SR :tu

I understand the view issue, what I did was adjust the way I stretched my skin, sometimes you have to be almost a contortionist to get it just right.
But if you were reaching over try under if that makes any sense. Also instead of pulling up ll the time try pulling back.
It is a personal thing that you just have to figure out, but I'm sure you'll get it

Congratulations on your first shave!
You kinda have a puzzle to put together now. The direction of your beard growth, what strokes work best with the razor, how to stretch the skin and seeing what your doing all take figuring out and practice. The fact that everyone is different and has to figure out what works for them just adds to the challenge. I usually tell people to watch a ton of videos, try to pick out strokes and angles that might work for you, then try them out and practice with a butter knife. Another key is to be slow and deliberate when starting out and always stay in your comfort zone. If something doesn't feel right, put the razor down and take a breather or just stop altogether.
This isn't a race. Take your time learning and in no time at all you'll be shaving like an old pro.
Enjoy the challenge of the learning phase!
Good luck!

Pete <:-}

+1 on practicing with a butter knife, best way to prevent getting cut until you have the technique, angle and muscle memory established. As petercp4e stated, go slow, it isn't a race. Also complete concentration on task at hand and avoid distractions. Good luck and enjoy your straight razor shaving journey and most of all Happy Shaving!

Practice, practice, practice. What these guys have said is the key. Watch lots of vids. Make note of how the razor is held and the type of motion is used on what part of the face. Go slow. Its all been said before so congrads and enjoy. Remember that when you start out, a 30 min shave is nothing.

When it gets too awkward to have a good view I just do it by feel rather than having to look at something that requires me to be a contortionist.

Good luck and have fun!

Congratulation on your first straight razor shave! :bow:

As has been posted, Go Slow! I know of one responder who has learned that it does take time no matter how quickly you usually learn something. This age old art takes Patience.

As I've said, this age old art takes patience but once semi mastered it's well worth the time.:tu

It's a long strange trip but well worth the journey:y

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dieseld

Congrats on the first success with a SR :tu

I understand the view issue, what I did was adjust the way I stretched my skin, sometimes you have to be almost a contortionist to get it just right.
But if you were reaching over try under if that makes any sense. Also instead of pulling up ll the time try pulling back.
It is a personal thing that you just have to figure out, but I'm sure you'll get it

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Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by petercp4e

Congratulations on your first shave!
I usually tell people to watch a ton of videos, try to pick out strokes and angles that might work for you, then try them out and practice with a butter knife. Another key is to be slow and deliberate when starting out and always stay in your comfort zone. If something doesn't feel right, put the razor down and take a breather or just stop altogether.
This isn't a race. Take your time learning and in no time at all you'll be shaving like an old pro.
Enjoy the challenge of the learning phase!
Good luck!

Pete <:-}

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Thanks for the butter knife idea and words of encouragement.

Once you develop your touch, not being able to see will become less of an issue. I wear bifocals, and it is near impossible for me to see with perfect focus. So, I quit wearing glasses when I shave, and just relied on the blurry image that I see and my sense of touch.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

Once you develop your touch, not being able to see will become less of an issue. I wear bifocals, and it is near impossible for me to see with perfect focus. So, I quit wearing glasses when I shave, and just relied on the blurry image that I see and my sense of touch.

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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.

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