Thread: Finally!...after two months...

Just had my first perfect shave...I mean of all, and I'm 52 years old. I shaved most of my adult life with a can and a Trac II. About two months ago I began this journey and bought a Dovo best 6/8 full hollow. Ive been using it with moderate success and have only now gotten to where I can shave pretty much every time without a nick.

Yesterday, I had neglegted to strop (sort of a test, I had read you only have to strop every third of forth shave) WRONG. I was hlfway into the shave and decided just to grab the old Trac II and finish the job, as I strop with a paddle sitting at the kitchen table. The result was a very good shave leaving me wondering why I am fooling around with the straight?

This morning I took the time to do a very thorough stopping...did the hanging hair test and used the Dovo again. Im not sure what it was but I know I was concentrating on light pressure, and angle and viola! Up to today I have had to make a full second pass for a close shave.

So...I think I have finally put the pieces together and would like to tell others new to the old ways - listen to what the codgers around here say like;
1. any razor as long as it is sharp will give a good shave. This is true.
2. shave prep matters.
3. define a set of protocols for your shave to be carried out each time exactly the same until you find something not working and then concentrate only on that problem to define if a change is needed.
4. this is like anything else in life that produces gratifying results...you only get out of it what you put into it.
5. If that first razor you bought was made of quality materials, and is truly shave ready then you can't blame the grind, the weight, the point, or the name for a bad shave. This takes practice.
6.You will transition from shaving as a nessecity to shaving as a pleasure.

You are doing well moving up the learning curve. Certainly, straight shaving does take more of an effort, but in the end, the BBS shaves are absolutely awesome and superior.

You gave some good advise to others who are new to straight shaving. Read up on SRP, and take it one step at a time. Looking back, I enjoyed my learning experience and had a lot fun learning and trying different techniques, shaving soaps, aftershaves, shaving brushes, and straight razors.

Also, congratulations on getting the great shave!

Pabster

Great post

Even after a few years it's still a pleasure to shave (with a straight)

Hello, FatherGoose:

Thank you for your post. It is thoughtful and informative. Not only that, it also exhibits your genuine interest and enthusiasm for straight razor shaving. Well done, sir.

Regards,

Obie

Great post...Thanks for sharing and Congratulations on achieving your 1st BBS shave . I agree, it is an awesome feeling. I got mine after the 5th/6th shave (very lucky in that regards, I think) and been getting BBS ever since (a little over a month now). I attribute my luck to this forum...nothing else was more valuable to me...There's a treasure trove of knowledge here and ALL THAT for FREE !!

I wish you more good BBS shaves like this one.

-Robert

Hey, thanks to all who took the time to reply. I just felt I needed to share the good times!
Goose

congrats
it's indeed a cheerful moment the moment you have a bbs shave
kee p up the good work

That first great shave after such a strenuous journey is a great feeling, isn't it? Sort of like finding the holy grail. Congratulations not just on acheiving these results, but on sticking with it all that time.

FatherGoose,

Thank you for your reflective and informative post on achieving a perfect shave with a straight razor. You have articulated many of the major steps in achieving such and I'm pleased to hear that things are going so well with your journey in the world of str8 razor shaving.

Take care--and continued smooth shaving.

Isn't it great to unlock the truths and mysteries of this art? Everyone does so in their own time, and it looks like your time is coming along nicely.

Congrats.