Thread: Everything gets in the way!

Ok, I'm pretty nubilated here, but I've done a couple shaves complete with the SR, and I am baffled.

It's like a game of twister, or doing a rubics cube -- I can't get the blade to where I want it without my arms and legs getting in the way.

Ok, I exaggerate, but you know what I mean. Only if I opt for a very tenuous grip can I seem to get into position.

I am constrained to right hand drive only, at the moment, with a broken finger on my left hand.

As for closeness -- I think I could get closer with a cheese grater, but I understand that comes in time.

Advice "grate"-ly apprciated. ;-)

I don't have any really specific hints or tricks, but I know exactly what you mean. It starts getting less and less awkward the more you do it- after three months of only SR shaving I'm finding more and more comfort using it.

One thing that will help is gentle experimenting- you will find there are a surprising number of things you can do with that blade that feel scary as hell the first time, but work well. It's a careful balance of respect for that blade's ability to cut the bejeebers out of you and feeling comfortable with it in a number of versatile and sometimes precarious-feeling positions.

Have you read the wiki article on razor holds? I did them all in front of my computer with my razor, to practice.

Good luck!

Hello!
Shaving with just one hand will be harder, but several of the guys have perfected it. Second time i've linked it this week, but this will be useful to you. Have a look at how xman get's round it.
When you've got both hands back, you can give it a go using both & see if that's better for you.
Did you receive the razor "shave ready"? It's worth asking, as you'll not stand a chance if the blade's not capable.
Also, ensure that you're stretching the skin in such a way to get the stubble to lift. It'll help get a closer shave & stop the blade from skipping.
Other than that, it's just a case of perseverance & it'll come to you.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

I received the blade quasi shave ready, but has a forum member whip it into certifiable readiness for me (Thanks again, Scott).

It's funny. I want to be careful not to press so hard I'm flossing my teeth with the blade, or be so reckless that I get that "van Gogh" closeness I'm trying so hard to avoid.

I'll check the wiki on grips. Thanks for that tip!

I agree with the two Ben's posts above. FWIW, I am a right hand only shaver and it did take some time to figure out the most efficient way to hold the razor and manipulate it round my face. It does come with time and practice. One of these days I may try to learn the two handed method but for now it is working so I'm not fixing it. Keep at it one way or the other and you'll be comfortable with SR shaving before you know it.

The Wiki has lots of good advise also
http://homepage.mac.com/drmoss/.Publ...or%20Shave.pdf
Dr. Moss' The Art of the Straight Razor Shave

Be patient, the learning curve is steep at times, but the shaves improve with practise.

You took the words out of my mouth brenton.

Interesting that xman has his fingers right on the blade to get a grip, often times.

And moving the handle! I wouldn't have thought of it.

Ok, I'll try again tomorrow morning, after reviewing his videos, again, first.

Does everyone get that fast with a SR? I was scared he'd accidentally slip, and be flossing is teeth from underneath!

Glad it was helpful to you! I think that most people get pretty quick. It's just practise really, & the confidence that comes from it.

Hang in there
I did the one hand thing for 3 months to get to strop, amount of pressure, correct angle, blade approach. LOTS of stuff to get use to.

Then after that went for the 2 hand method. That approach worked well for me, may not work for you everyone is different. Keep at it you will get there. Read the post, watch the videos pay close attention to their hand position, and remember they know what they are doing, its never as easy as they make it look.

Keep grinding and you will meet a happy point of success.

Crom