BEST SHAVE OF ALL TIME!

So I had a great long weekend this weekend. I shaved Friday morning and then didn't shave again until this morning so my beard was relatively long. and like I often do after a long weekend, this morning I woke up a bit late.... I have to be at work at 8 so I usually get up at 6 on shave days, shower, prep, shave. This morning I woke up fifteen minutes later and had to rush a bit. During my shower I decided to take some shortcuts. Instead of a hot towel I turned the water all the way to the "H" and scrubbed my face with the washcloth really well to exfoliate. Once out and dry I stropped 25 on the webbed side and 25 on the horse hide. Normally I do twice that..... apparently that is all I need to do because today's shave was the closest, least irritating, completely nick free, smoothest, softest shave I have had since I started... Originally I was only going to go WTG since I was short on time. Then once I had done that I realized I had enough to do an XTG pass... so I did and normally I get just a bit of irritation on the neck and chin. Today there was NONE. Really! absolutely NONE. I finished and used some witch hazel, that normally stings just a little and NO STING!!!! After I was finished I rubbed my hands over my face and normally I can feel tiny bits of stubble in certain areas that are hard to get and.... you guessed it... NONE! I really don't think a baby's butt is this smooth! And my face (which is normally very smooth, hence my nickname here) has NEVER been this smooth in my entire life! I just hope that this wasn't a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence and I'll get to have this pleasurable feeling many more times!:D:D:D

P.S. I was on time to work!

Nice going! Usually if I feel rushed something bad happens. Glad it worked for you.

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Originally Posted by flyman

Nice going! Usually if I feel rushed something bad happens. Glad it worked for you.

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Yea that is usually the same for me... but this morning was diff... once the blade hit my face time seemed to stop and I was able to take my time and go slow and smooth....

Smooth--
I'm jealous. In the last 2 1/2 months that I've been using a straight razor I've got maybe 3 or 4 fair shaves--It would be really cool to get something as smooth as what you're describing---Way to go!

Yeah.. welcome to the casual club. I've had a lot of shaves go supernaturally well when I'm not going slow, not too hasty but I just kind of "let go" and go quick. I think what you're doing is releasing yourself to go deeper into your hand's knowledge, get a little of that expert's touch we see with some of these barbers shaves. It can be surprisingly thorough. Most of my shaves are between 15-18 minutes, I've had a few around 10-12 and they were as good as the others (my first month's average was 40-45 min).

Maybe this mentality works for you. I know my performance can suffer somewhat if I try too hard.

The shave you've described is definitely something i aspire to achieve. I take my time, and begin to feel overly confident halfway through... that's when the blood flows. Today for instance, i decided to shave in the morning, this never happens as the morning is a pretty stressful time, kids getting ready for school, wife getting ready in the bathroom standing next to me wanting to talk about the day prior, Just hectic. I got through a full WTG shave no problems. Things were good, but i wasnt satisfied with the smoothness, so i went for my usual XTG, and having to stop every few minutes to chat or reprimand a kid, should have been my tip off, but i kept going, and now i have a nice little reminder of how its not worth multitasking while shaving. I am the proud recipient of a neck "notch" below the ear. I blame myself. :banghead:, best of luck in future shaves and keep up the good work!

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Originally Posted by SmoothcheekStu

...once the blade hit my face time seemed to stop...

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You were in the zone.

I read your post twice. It seems your suggesting that you did less stropping and got a better shave.

I only do about 10 passes on leather.

So, it's certainly something to consider.

I would not be surprised a bit if many, many, many brand new beginners were getting lesser quality shaves because of imperfect stropping. Thus, the fewer strokes the better.

I've often tried to advocate fewer strokes and that stropping can cause damage, but I've always failed or been shot down.

It can be almost impossible to suggest, with good honing, just how light a touch is appropriate. Lynn used to suggest only the weight of the blade.

Funny story, since I'm feeling "talkative" is that when I was starting out and having trouble I had a 130+ post thread with a guy that was helping me out. Just him replying to me. In the end I discovered the problem was solved in his very first reply that said "strop lightly".

If that wasn't your inference, sorry for the long reply. Glad you got a great shave though.

I shave right out of the shower, I crank up the heat and get the face good and wet while scrubbing with a very soapy washcloth. Perfect shave everytime.

@AFDavis : I usually use 30 laps on linen then leather, I think I am going to try your method and see how it pans out. If I can remember to do it, habits are hard to break.

I have never str8 shaved in my life, but I received some razors and I am thinking about giving it a go. So many posts I read are horrid. Sadly, I rarely read posts depicting a good experience. It's really off putting. Thanks for a good one.

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Originally Posted by Grandson77

I have never str8 shaved in my life, but I received some razors and I am thinking about giving it a go. So many posts I read are horrid. Sadly, I rarely read posts depicting a good experience. It's really off putting. Thanks for a good one.

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Sorry about the off-putting posts. Straight shaving is worth attempting and it can be very enjoyable. It just ain't easy.

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Originally Posted by ace

Straight shaving is worth attempting and it can be very enjoyable. It just ain't easy.

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+1
:beer1:

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Originally Posted by Grandson77

I have never str8 shaved in my life, but I received some razors and I am thinking about giving it a go. So many posts I read are horrid. Sadly, I rarely read posts depicting a good experience. It's really off putting. Thanks for a good one.

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I think if you started with a properly honed good quality razor you would join the ranks of many str8 razor users that would rather fight than switch. No doubt that there is a learning curve and you will only get better at it with each shave. I dreaded shaving before str8s. No more ingrown hairs and you can trim side burns and goats to perfection.
Don't be put off by your impression of bad shave posts, there are many more who are getting the best shaves of their lives who are busy elsewhere debating which hone is best etc.. Go for it!