Thread: 1st Straight Razor shave today

Originally Posted by Tbucket

Well, I have tried that once, and will try it again...

Swapping hands, you mean? I was pretty apprehensive about doing it, but read a thread where someone advised brushing your teeth with you left hand to get used to it. So I started doing EVERYTHING that I could with my left hand. Anythinig that took one hand at home, at work, at the grocery store, etc. I did with my left hand. By the time I got ready to start shaving with a straight, it felt considerably less foreign than I had anticipated. It also made stretching much easier, as I did not have to contort quite as much to get plenty of room to shave.

I just started shaving with a SR about 4 months ago and am now an addict. I've also gotten into collecting vintage razors and shaving with them. There's something about getting a razor that's 150 years old, hone it, shave with it and you think to yourself "After 150 years, it still shaves great".

I can tell you what has worked for me but the best advice I can give you is to find what is comfortable for you. I think the first time on my chin I was expecting I should be able to do a complete, continuous stroke starting on the front of my chin and adjust the angle of the blade as I made the turn and finish the stroke underneath. I found out right away this wasn't going to work for me and started using little short strokes (about 1/4" to 3/8") while on the curve of my chin. This way I was able to continually "feel" if I had the right angle and adjust accordingly. I think a good many will agree with the following statement. The chin area is probably the most important area to shave by feel of the blade angle as it shaves rather than by sight of it. For me, I learned to shave my chin in three sections...the center and then each side where your chin makes it's curve to the straight jaw line. The whole area I'm describing is only about 3" wide and 1" top to bottom. This area and my throat are the last areas I shave so I incorporate them together. First I shave the center of my chin all the way down to my lower neck, then I do the right side then the left. If you have sensitive skin, just be cautious of razor burn when you're learning on your chin area. I don't have what I consider to be sensitive skin, but kind of felt like I over did it on my chin the first few times of SR shaving.

I hope my experience helps you in some way. All I can say is stay with it and I think you will find yourself looking forward to shaving. I used to hate shaving in the mornings and after about a month of using the SR I began looking forward to it. It's kind of like a little challenge to kick stat the day. I started like you where I wouldn't try to shave in the morning because I was worried about getting into a rush. It didn't take long and I found myself getting ready a little earlier so I wouldn't be in a rush.

Good luck and I hope you stay with it.