First experience.......

Gentlemen,

Today was the day for my first straight razor shave.
Been looking forward to this day with great anticipation, but with great caution as well (as i stated earlier in another thread, i tried straight razor shaving before and THAT turned out into a disaster).

After "some" investigation of as much topics i could handle, AND with great support from the fellow members, i started collecting as much as i could to complete my equipment.

Starting with (of course) a straight razor, purchased on The Bay; a shave ready Wade & Butcher - 5/8 "frame back" (confirmed by yours truly via the hanging hair test).
A "lightly oiled" English bridle leather strop (you DO NEED to keep the razor sharp).
To top this off: a "pure badger" shaving brush by "MecDarment" (not used yet, instead i used a "Vero" boar brush).
A sample of La Toya shaving soap and a sample of La Toya AS; generously provided by one of the Gentlemen Members on the SRP forum.

Ok, so much for the prelimenaries........on to the main event!!
First i waited for some "peace and quit"; this means that the time had to come for the kids to go to bed for a good night's sleep.
Basically i'm scared easily, and you don't want to have two "loose cannons" around you while having a very sharp razor in your hands near your face.......
So this meant a good hot shower inbetween, until THE moment had come....

Tried to build up a good lather with the boar brush and the La Toya soap: this already was a treat!!
Then the razor emerged: felt like D-Day!! (no insult intended)

At this time i was like: "let's go!!" (ALL the way, that is), but at the same time an advice came to mind: "start with the sideburns and cheeks, and then stop."
The sideburns and cheeks were no problem at all; no "burning sensation", nothing like that.
Then i (almost) made the mistake by becoming "couragious", and thinking i could shave a little more. This ended up with a slight nick in the neck; just slightly, but still......a nick!!
The only problem i have at this time, is that it is difficult to handle the razor with my LEFT hand. I'm not a "lefty"....... so i need to build up that routine as time passes by.

The rest of the shave was (childish as it may seem....) ended with a DE razor. From this point on i will slowly work my way up to a complete shave with a straight razor, and i have to admit: i've become a SR addict!!!

Ending with a refreshing dab of La Toya AS, i felt some pride in what i had just done. It feels great!!

At the same time, i would like to thank ALL the Gentlemen Members of the SRP forum for providing me with help and guidance.
Thank you very much!!! :tu:bow

Until next time and with very kind regards,

RazorBack

Way to go, RazorBack!

Nice job! Keep up the good work!

Good job! The left hand gets much easier with time. One thing to help it along is to use it more often and lathering with it. This will help build up the neuromuscular connections that will give you more precise control.

Gents,

Thank you for the kind responses.
It was a tremendous experience, and yes: i AM definitely hooked on the straight razor and will continue with it indefinitely.

At this time, i feel the need to clarify something: in my post i referred to my kids as "loose cannons". The term (i discovered) isn't exactly a positive one, so with my action in using this term, i didn't do my children justice.

What i meant was is, (like i stated before) is that i scare easily (and kids, being just kids) can suddenly barge into the room. It could not have a happy ending while holding a straight razor in hand close to or ON the face.

So therefore, if someone was offended by this particular statement: my sincerest of apologies.

With kind regards,

RazorBack

Hope all is still going well. Continue to rely more on the straight and less on the DE as a crutch as time passes and your skill level will soar!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by woodturner

Hope all is still going well.

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Yes it is, thank you.:tu

Quote:

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Originally Posted by woodturner

Continue to rely more on the straight and less on the DE as a crutch as time passes and your skill level will soar!

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I certainly will; not easy at times, but i'm trying to avoid "pitfalls" as well (trying to accomplish EVERYTHING at once, for instance). Things will turn out well, i'm sure.

Regards,

RazorBack

My son-in-law watched me shave recently and commented, "Got out! You're an ambidextrous shaver!" For a moment, I didn't know what he was talking about then I realized I had just switched hands. It no longer occurs to me how unnatural this appears. By now, it's the most natural thing in the world for me. I don't even think about it. Be assured, this will become second nature if you keep at it enough. Congratulations on your baptism by fire.

Congrats for your first straight razor shave, RazorBack.

It'll get even better as the time goes by. Good equipment is a part of this all, and specially to good hints and advice you get here from these fine Gentlemen.
Most important is still you: It takes some take time, practice and patience until learn to get even better shaves. Mostly it is up to you. If it was too easy, it wouldn't be worth of this all.
I'm sure there will be smooth shaves coming your way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leadduck

My son-in-law watched me shave recently and commented, "Got out! You're an ambidextrous shaver!" For a moment, I didn't know what he was talking about then I realized I had just switched hands.

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This (to me, that is) is ONE of the pitfalls i was trying to mention. Being struck by a sudden case of heroism, and then......i shudder to think......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leadduck

It no longer occurs to me how unnatural this appears. By now, it's the most naatural thing in the world for me. I don't even think about it. Be assured, this will become second nature if you keep at it enough. Congratulations on your baptism by fire.

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You're absolutely right. As they say: "All good things to those who wait". (AND have lots of patience btw)
Thanks for the congrats AND encouragement; MUCH appreciated :bow

Regards,

Razorback

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sailor

Congrats for your first straight razor shave, RazorBack.

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Thank you; MUCH appreciated

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sailor

It'll get even better as the time goes by. Good equipment is a part of this all, and specially to good hints and advice you get here from these fine Gentlemen.

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I'm working on the equipment; always room for improvement imho. A pity i don't have "money to burn" (no offense), it would make life a little easier though.... But with the equipment i have so far, i think i have a good headstart. And indeed: with ALL the help i recieved so far: it gets better EVERYDAY.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sailor

Most important is still you: It takes some take time, practice and patience until learn to get even better shaves. Mostly it is up to you.

---

Well, time is on my side and have plenty of patience; i'm certainly not in a hurry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sailor

If it was too easy, it wouldn't be worth of this all.
I'm sure there will be smooth shaves coming your way.

---

Couldn't agree more!!
And the smooth shaves will be a great reward!!

Thanks for the congrats!!:bow

Regards,

Razorback

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RazorBack

Gentlemen,

Today was the day for my first straight razor shave
.....snip...
The rest of the shave was (childish as it may seem....) ended with a DE razor.
....snip....

---

Childish -- no.
Approach it the same way your beard came in.
A little at a time....


IMO "in the old days" young men learned to shave
a bit at a time starting with that first fuzz that we
all had.... By the time the "old timers" had a full
face of bristly whiskers they had spent a year or
more learning the "lathering", "stropping"
and other necessary bits.

So just sneak up on it....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Childish -- no.
Approach it the same way your beard came in.
A little at a time....

---

Agreed. First SR shave became tricky (up to a point), when i thought i could go JUST a little further, and was rewarded with a nick in the neck (no pun intended).
Bled a little (nothing serious), but certainly wasn't discouraged by this. Made me very cautious though.
I'll stick with the "A little at a time...." part for the moment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niftyshaving

IMO "in the old days" young men learned to shave
a bit at a time starting with that first fuzz that we
all had.... By the time the "old timers" had a full
face of bristly whiskers they had spent a year or
more learning the "lathering", "stropping"
and other necessary bits.

So just sneak up on it....

---

I will. One part at a time, so to speak.
Thanks for the encouragements!! :tu

Regards,

RazorBack

Glad to hear your first shave went so well. Scything off those whiskers with a gleaming blade can be somewhat daunting at first, but is sounds like you posses the one virtue that will make the transition to Straights comparatively easy. Patience! Slow and steady goes a long way with this hobby of ours.

Happy Shaving,
Matthew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MatthewShropshire

Glad to hear your first shave went so well. Scything off those whiskers with a gleaming blade can be somewhat daunting at first, but is sounds like you posses the one virtue that will make the transition to Straights comparatively easy. Patience! Slow and steady goes a long way with this hobby of ours.

Happy Shaving,
Matthew

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"Patience is a virtue" someone once said. And i must admit: after seing when a blade is truely sharp (hanging hair test), i became somewhat scared of the razor. My patience is (i think) also out of fear. When you cut yourself....well........it IS a cut.
Besides that, i get a very satisfying feel after the shaves (2 and counting), so this hobby will definitely be a part for the rest of my life.
Thanks for your support :tu

Regards,

Razorback

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RazorBack

The only problem i have at this time, is that it is difficult to handle the razor with my LEFT hand. I'm not a "lefty"....... so i need to build up that routine as time passes by.


RazorBack

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Don't worry too much about your lack of ambidextrousity - I have never had any need or desire to use my left hand to hold the razor - it is just a matter of what you are comfortable with.

Gents,

As a follow-up on this thread, i can add a little "something": a couple of days ago my oldest son was watching while i shaved and (up to a point), he said: "i didn't know you could use BOTH hands with that razor, Dad!!"

I actually had to stop for a moment, while thinking about that one. And he was right; i AM using both hands!! It took a while (i think), but it seems i'm getting there!! It's just that i'm feeling sorry for NOT noticing all of this........

Basically: Thank you for the support!! :tu

Regards,

RazorBack

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RazorBack

This (to me, that is) is ONE of the pitfalls i was trying to mention. Being struck by a sudden case of heroism, and then......i shudder to think......





You're absolutely right. As they say: "All good things to those who wait". (AND have lots of patience btw)
Thanks for the congrats AND encouragement; MUCH appreciated :bow

Regards,

Razorback

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RazorBack

Gentlemen,

Today was the day for my first straight razor shave.
Been looking forward to this day with great anticipation, but with great caution as well (as i stated earlier in another thread, i tried straight razor shaving before and THAT turned out into a disaster).

After "some" investigation of as much topics i could handle, AND with great support from the fellow members, i started collecting as much as i could to complete my equipment.

Starting with (of course) a straight razor, purchased on The Bay; a shave ready Wade & Butcher - 5/8 "frame back" (confirmed by yours truly via the hanging hair test).
A "lightly oiled" English bridle leather strop (you DO NEED to keep the razor sharp).
To top this off: a "pure badger" shaving brush by "MecDarment" (not used yet, instead i used a "Vero" boar brush).
A sample of La Toya shaving soap and a sample of La Toya AS; generously provided by one of the Gentlemen Members on the SRP forum.

Ok, so much for the prelimenaries........on to the main event!!
First i waited for some "peace and quit"; this means that the time had to come for the kids to go to bed for a good night's sleep.
Basically i'm scared easily, and you don't want to have two "loose cannons" around you while having a very sharp razor in your hands near your face.......
So this meant a good hot shower inbetween, until THE moment had come....

Tried to build up a good lather with the boar brush and the La Toya soap: this already was a treat!!
Then the razor emerged: felt like D-Day!! (no insult intended)

At this time i was like: "let's go!!" (ALL the way, that is), but at the same time an advice came to mind: "start with the sideburns and cheeks, and then stop."
The sideburns and cheeks were no problem at all; no "burning sensation", nothing like that.
Then i (almost) made the mistake by becoming "couragious", and thinking i could shave a little more. This ended up with a slight nick in the neck; just slightly, but still......a nick!!
The only problem i have at this time, is that it is difficult to handle the razor with my LEFT hand. I'm not a "lefty"....... so i need to build up that routine as time passes by.

The rest of the shave was (childish as it may seem....) ended with a DE razor. From this point on i will slowly work my way up to a complete shave with a straight razor, and i have to admit: i've become a SR addict!!!

Ending with a refreshing dab of La Toya AS, i felt some pride in what i had just done. It feels great!!

At the same time, i would like to thank ALL the Gentlemen Members of the SRP forum for providing me with help and guidance.
Thank you very much!!! :tu:bow

Until next time and with very kind regards,

RazorBack

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Congrats and I understand the kids.... I certainly don't want mine or anybody barging in while I'm shaving. I guess as we grow better distractions won't be such a big deal.

Congrats. Things seem to be going well for you. Two thoughts for you. One, start brushing your teeth with the off hand. It'll shorten the learning curve. Two, finishing with a DE is just fine. At some point try starting with a DE and finishing with the straight. Again, it will dramatically lower your learning curve.