Thread: Technique, technique, technique

I often read comments such as, "The goal is not a smooth shave on the very first pass, but beard reduction". I even read a comment that went like this, "I don't think we can say that there will never be any pulling sensation with straight razors". Well, I am here to say that this is all bupkis. Shaving is about taking the hair off of ones face so that his face is smooth and if the razor is pulling either your technique needs work or you have a dull razor. Also, if you need to hone or even touch up your razor on a pasted strop on a weekly basis then you have a blade with poor quality steel or you need to improve your stropping and/or your shaving technique.
I have often commented to myself when I read a post where a newbie has trouble that it is must be technique, then I read the posts that speak of prep and beard reduction and so on and I moan a little inside as I suspect experience will cure all shaving troubles and much of the advice we give are crutches as opposed to true help. Don't misunderstand, giving a newbie these crutches in the beginning is fine but we need to make it clear, to my way of thinking, that proper technique is of the utmost importance and not these crutches, soap or cream being one of these crutches and telling ourselves that a straight should pull and that a smooth shave is not really the goal is the other crutch.
Let me say here that if one has sufficient experience and ability and a sharp razor he can shave his face comfortably and smoothly with no more prep than washing ones face and keeping it wet. Once one can accomplish this then the soap/cream, beard reduction will be a matter of choice and will no longer be a crutch. Newbies, please understand, what I am saying here will not likely be possible for you until many years of experience but I believe you need to know that it is possible to get a baby butt smooth shave on the first pass with nothing but water. All else is pure luxury once you have the experience, time, and know how to shave properly.

Today I decided to prove to myself that this was possible. I took my FLEEMAN straight razor that I have used almost exclusively for a full year ( no touch ups and no paste ) and shaved almost a full weeks growth off of my face in one pass with only a touch up around my mouth, lower neck and under the jaw ( These are my normal touch up spots...I guess I need a little more experience ) I finished with a baby butt smooth shave and no irritation. The blade glided through my whiskers as if they weren't there.
With practice everyone can do this, but until then I believe most of what we do is a crutch for our lack of ability or lack of experience. Keep in mind though that I have been at this for about 17 years now, this will not happen over night or even in 2 years time so don't push it but occasionally give a try to a one pass no soap shave to gauge your true ability.

That is all for now until I get another wild hair.

Comments?