Thread: Discouraged

The last few times shaving have been let downs for me, and then the other day I wasn't feeling that great, so I shaved in the shower with my Mach 3. Pure BBS, and it took about 2 minutes to acheive, and no nicks. Now, I don't shave with a straight for the BBS, because it's far more difficult for me to get than with the Mach 3, but it's just leaving me frustrated right now.

I don't think I'm going to give up the straight, but last night I really considered it. It seems like people on this thread typically have the attitude of "I used a straight and now I'll never go back," but I wonder if moments of doubt happen for anyone else?

Thanks for providing a forum to allow me to vent.

im sure some people have thought about it, i know i have.

Sometimes i want a quick shave and i just get annoyed. Not with the shave itself but just all the prep, for me its stropping that takes the longest.

If i dindt have to strop i would love it even more lol.

But in the end i always stick with the straights cuz i remember how bad the irritation would be after the mach 3

Don't aim for BBS when you first start. Instead aim for smooth, no nicks. In time BBS will come. It might take a while, but eventually it will get better.

goaT,

How does it go? "There are different strokes for different folks? You have to follow the path that shows you your way. If you are fascinated by the straight razor shave, you'll have to give yourself the time it takes to get that process down, and that will take a while. But if you are one who likes to shave quickly in the shower, I can't imagine how a straight razor will work well or safely for you. A fast shave straightly, ain't. Close and smooth it should be, but immediacy is not a straight razor shave virtue.

Hang in here or hang out there...

Originally Posted by goaT

The last few times shaving have been let downs for me, and then the other day I wasn't feeling that great, so I shaved in the shower with my Mach 3. Pure BBS, and it took about 2 minutes to acheive, and no nicks. Now, I don't shave with a straight for the BBS, because it's far more difficult for me to get than with the Mach 3, but it's just leaving me frustrated right now.

I don't think I'm going to give up the straight, but last night I really considered it. It seems like people on this thread typically have the attitude of "I used a straight and now I'll never go back," but I wonder if moments of doubt happen for anyone else?

Thanks for providing a forum to allow me to vent.

I have had these thoughts as well at times, but I am so intrigued with using a piece of history that I stick with it and fine tune my technique until I reach the skill I seek. When I feel any particular day that I don't have the time to do justice to the shaving ritual with one of my straights, I use a DE or a Mach III and save the journey for another day. you don't have to strictly use the straight until you get the results you want on a consistent basis, but the more you use it the quicker you will gain the skills to have it as an enjoyable daily treat.

It WILL get better. I still get cut, but I feel like I'm slowly improving.

I thought about giving up too. The prospect of the perfect shave seemed so far away and, at a certain point, not worth the pain.

I just kept hope that what everyone here said about the superiority of straights was true, and that the only way I would experience such blissful shaves is if I practiced.

goaT,

I'm one of those guys you're talking about who says "I used a straight and now I'll never go back". That being said, there have been days where the shaving results didn't go as expected or the shave took longer than expected and I wondered if straight shaving was too much of a time commitment. BUT...it DOES get better. As others have said, shaving with a straight (at least for many of us) is not the most time-efficient process. For me, shaving with a straight razor is more about enjoying the process. It's about "me" time and not so much about BBS or "fast". So what if you occasionally have to finish it off with the safety until your technique improves???

If you feel pressured, try shaving in the evening as a way of "winding down" after a hard day. Put on some of your favorite (calm) music, relax, and enjoy the ritual - BBS or not.

Enjoy the ride...

Most folks who start with a straight are pretty excited about it and realize it is a skill that needs to be learned and that takes time and that insures they stick with it even if they get the occasional bad shave.

Of course using a straight isn't for everyone, probably not for most so you have to decide which direction you want to go. I know for me, when I started it was a matter of pride to learn this skill and I was determined to do it.

When I started straight shaving (not very long ago either) I realized I would not stay with it unless I was able to get a shave done in a timely manner. I'm way too impatient to keep it up if I felt it was a nuisance. Knowing this about myself, I just refused to take long. Now I can leisurely shave in 15 minutes, and maybe half that if I'm really pressed for time. If I want a complete BBS I can stretch it ofc, but those moments are for when I want a special treat and pamper myself a little. Some days I get a very nice shave, others I only get an adequate shave. YMMV, ofc

goaT,

I tell my "regular shaving" friends that if nothing else, they should convert to the prep and ritual of wet shaving. Enjoying 45 minutes of ME time is part of the allure of straight shaving for me, and the fantastic smells and various feels of the shaving products that I've become aware of in the mean time have accentuated that experience quite a bit.

Is straight shaving for everyone? Maybe not. Do I get discouraged when I can't quite get all the hair off my chin or that it takes so long when I'm in a hurry? Yes. But to be honest, I tossed my disposable razors a while back because when I do get good results, they are remarkably better than what I used to consider "BBS."

If I were you, I'd come back to it whenever I had the time to enjoy the challenge.

Good Luck!