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?

Well said, this is what I wanna be able to achieve in the future.

Well said and quite true, but it takes a long time I'm sure. I'm pretty close, but still working on it.

I agree that a properly sharp razor and good technique will get you a bbs one pass shave. I have had one or two on occasion, but I am still a grasshopper and cannot get them on command.

It is good to know what we are aiming for. Makes us realise that, no matter how far we think we have come, we still have a long road to travel.

Thanks Mark!

James.

Didn't mention in which direction that BBS shave was done. I can get a one pass BBS with water alone, if I go ATG and a minor WTG on each side of the adams apple. I've been at this for a full 3.5 months now too...I also have an average to slightly softer beard which will help and I also think it would be an idividual thing. I couldn't imagine my Bro-in-law giving himself a BBS in one pass even if the one pass was done with an Oxy-Acetylene torch, but he's a hairy arsed thorn bush of a bloke.


Mick

Not that I don't believe you - on the contrary, I absolutely do, but I would dearly love to see a video of this :-)
I don't suppose that could be arranged?

In all sincerity.

Thanks Mark.

I agree, it is a worthy goal and part of the fun is learning and improving.

I've had the occasional glimpse of this, where I've taken the razor to my face and effortlessly left some place bbs... then I've had to figure out how I just did that so I can do it again!!

Seems to be about proper stropping followed by proper technique - and experimenting until I get it right.

All the best,
Michael

Originally Posted by MickR

Didn't mention in which direction that BBS shave was done. I can get a one pass BBS with water alone, if I go ATG and a minor WTG on each side of the adams apple. I've been at this for a full 3.5 months now too...I also have an average to slightly softer beard which will help and I also think it would be an idividual thing. I couldn't imagine my Bro-in-law giving himself a BBS in one pass even if the one pass was done with an Oxy-Acetylene torch, but he's a hairy arsed thorn bush of a bloke.


Mick

I dont pay attention to beard direction when I shave so some areas I am going with the grain some across and some areas against the grain.

Originally Posted by Sheebay

Not that I don't believe you - on the contrary, I absolutely do, but I would dearly love to see a video of this :-)
I don't suppose that could be arranged?

In all sincerity.

One day I might.

A couple of thoughts,

Originally Posted by JMS

... 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...

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.

This is something that I've been thinking about for a while now. We do all talk about beard prep, soap choice, brushes, stretching etc. (to be clear, I still think that some of these things are important), but as I become more comfortable with straight shaving I find that I don't need a 30 minute shower, five different pre-shave oils, and 120 degree uberlather to get a great shave. Lately I've been able to get solid shaves with nothing more than a quick brushing of lukewarm lather and immediately getting down to business.

Granted, that's skipping out on the luxury aspect, but as my technique improves I find that I don't need such an intense beard prep regimen.

Now before I get all carried away here, I'm not 100% there yet on technique either... I do the best I can and try to learn from each shave. I'm just echoing the idea that as technique improves, the add ons become less of a performance factor and more of a pure luxury. I still have my trouble spots, but dang it, I work at trying to master those parts. It is all about fun for me anyway. I get a kick out of shaving with a straight, and I love talking with others who do the same.

I will say one more thing though, I believe it is easier to learn the technique when you have a sharp razor... my point to the new guys - treat yourselves to shave ready blades that are honed by the pros, then you'll get the best feedback as you experiment with your technique.

Good luck and have a good one!

Dave