Thread: 250 Days, 360 Shaves

As some of you know, for the first 6 months or so I shaved twice a day-mainly to develop my technique a little quicker, and also because…well…it was just fun and I liked doing it.

So now it has been 8 months since my first catastrophic attempt to shave with a straight, and as a result of the encouragement and advice I have gotten here on every topic imaginable, I genuinely love my daily shave. I enjoy honing my razors, and though they are not as finely edged as the pro-honed razors one can use, I can "see it from here" and my edges are giving me very nice shaves every day. No amount of patience in learning to strop, touch up, hone, and even restore from bevel-setting on up is wasted.

I have learned to economize on strokes. At first, i would "buff" my whole face, using little short, repetitive strokes, and it came to me that this was needless wear and tear. I have a much less "nervous" and much more smooth, deliberate stroke than I had even 3 months ago.

I also have cut down on the passes I use. I started out doing the full 3 pass shave, but now I find I can do one WTG pass and one ATG pass and aside from maybe hitting a couple areas again, I'm done. Less is more.

While I now prefer the slightly blunted spike to the fully-round tip, I still have a deathly dislike of the un-blunted spike. I hates'em, hates'em all. Every razor can cut, but the spike can also GOUGE. Fine cuts heal cleanly. Gouges don't. They leave a knot of flesh that you have to maneuver around every time. But fortunately, just a handful of strokes on the edge of the hone takes care of that problem.

The basics are what count: a sharp razor, a decent soap and lather, light but firm touch, appropriate post-shave…

thanks all for your encouragement along the way!

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

As some of you know, for the first 6 months or so I shaved twice a day-mainly to develop my technique a little quicker, and also because…well…it was just fun and I liked doing it.

So now it has been 8 months since my first catastrophic attempt to shave with a straight, and as a result of the encouragement and advice I have gotten here on every topic imaginable, I genuinely love my daily shave. I enjoy honing my razors, and though they are not as finely edged as the pro-honed razors one can use, I can "see it from here" and my edges are giving me very nice shaves every day. No amount of patience in learning to strop, touch up, hone, and even restore from bevel-setting on up is wasted.

I have learned to economize on strokes. At first, i would "buff" my whole face, using little short, repetitive strokes, and it came to me that this was needless wear and tear. I have a much less "nervous" and much more smooth, deliberate stroke than I had even 3 months ago.

I also have cut down on the passes I use. I started out doing the full 3 pass shave, but now I find I can do one WTG pass and one ATG pass and aside from maybe hitting a couple areas again, I'm done. Less is more.

While I now prefer the slightly blunted spike to the fully-round tip, I still have a deathly dislike of the un-blunted spike. I hates'em, hates'em all. Every razor can cut, but the spike can also GOUGE. Fine cuts heal cleanly. Gouges don't. They leave a knot of flesh that you have to maneuver around every time. But fortunately, just a handful of strokes on the edge of the hone takes care of that problem.

The basics are what count: a sharp razor, a decent soap and lather, light but firm touch, appropriate post-shave…

thanks all for your encouragement along the way!

I'm new on SRP but I've been mainly on B&B. I go by Rambus007 on B&B. I too enjoy my daily shaves and look forward to making the lather and smelling the different types of soaps and creams. I've recently incorporated a DIY scuttle using Korean earthenware bowls into my reportoire. Like yourself I prefer blunted/muted spike over square tips. Have you tried French tips or razors with smiles?

This doesn't mean you can let up on the killer lines. You'll be immortalized for (not exact) Tremendously pour technique guarantees you'll cut everything on your face except wiskser.

'Don't think I'll ever forget that. 'Big Grats, Lawson. You're about 3 mo ahead of me. Thx for sharing what you've learned.

Originally Posted by pinklather

This doesn't mean you can let up on the killer lines. You'll be immortalized for (not exact) Tremendously pour technique guarantees you'll cut everything on your face except wiskser.

'Don't think I'll ever forget that. 'Big Grats, Lawson. You're about 3 mo ahead of me. Thx for sharing what you've learned.

Ha! That "line" was simply a description of a really really bad day in straight-razor land.

Maybe I need to think of some more. Funny how the best lines come from the worst experiences!

I have followed your progression and am impressed with your persistence. I also want to thank you for throwing out all the information you gathered during your journey.
Since I was new at the time, I read all your posts with great interest. Thanks again!!

Lawson, I thought of you yesterday morn. The new asagi has turned a ho-hum blade into a really nice shaver. It has a hard 90 deg square point. I've thought the square/spike point (anyone wishing to clarify the difference is welcome to, but the skin doesn't care while it's being pierced). I've thought that the difference between square, spanish and barb. notch was mostly mental - I've carved up my ears with them all. About the time I'm smugly thinking I've got this licked, and was in the midst of a truly great shave w/ the new edge, a stupid move sank the point lightly into my cheek. Drat, and other choice words came to mind, and I thought Lawson deserved to hear of the lesson in humility.

I loved the shave, but must admit they command a bit more respect.

Thx again for sharing your stories. They help & encourage me.