Count me in! First shave...

My razor came today from Larry, of Whipped Dog Straights. After looking through all the stuff that came with my Sight Unseen Deal, I took the plunge. I followed Lynn's advice and only shaved the right side of my face, but it was great! After a couple of months of wet-shaving with a Merkur 34C HD, I finally went for it and had my first shave with a straight razor, albeit only a small part of my face. Now, I know I have a long way to go to get proficient, and a lot trickier parts of my face to shave, but I am really pleased with my first experience. It was easier than I thought it would be, probably because of all the reading, video watching and such. Anyhow, count me in. I can't wait until tomorrow morning. Special thanks to Larry for the fast service, and especially to jhenry and markdfhr who have adopted this newbie. And, of course, to the great folks on SRP! Happy New Year, folks!
--Ed

There is a great benefit in visualising the shave before you start. God to hear you're out of the gate well. :D

I just started straight razor shaving too, and I also watched a lot of videos. Count me in as well!!! :)

xman is right... I don't know if I would have had a successful first shave with a straight unless I visualized it first. I actually practiced my angle without the blade in my Shavette before putting a real edge to face!

It will only get better in time, enjoy the journey!

Very nice to hear you're both having a good time. There is a lot to be said for visualising, and standing in front of a mirror with a bread knife in your hand working out the moves, so to speak.

If you keep at it, you'll be amazed at how good you get at this difficult, unique, dangerous task; but you'll be learning more and more about it for ages...

As you've already found, this site is really all you need for info...

be good, be healthy, be happy...

Carl...

I like to close my eyes and visualise while I shave...Just have to stay focused on the shave visualising and not let the mind wonder to other subjects when you do that though...:)


Mick

Welcome aboard.

It'll get better as you keep up with it. Soon enough you'll be doing the whole shave and wondering what a DE is for. :-)

I've been at wetshaving for just over a year and straight shaving for about 8 months. I'm still doing the touchups on my neck with a DE but I'm trying to get it figured out.

Charlie

I just started using a straight razor, as well. Had my second straight shave this morning, and it's quite enjoyable. I purchased my razor from Larry at Whipped Dog, as well, and he's great to deal with. I accidentally smacked my razor against the sink and ruined the edge earlier today, and after a few emails to Larry, he's taking my slightly dinged razor plus a little cash for a nice Case Brothers razor. Luckily I have another razor that I'm borrowing from a friend to use until the Case gets here :)

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Originally Posted by JimmyD

I actually practiced my angle without the blade in my Shavette before putting a real edge to face!

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And here I was thinking I was the only one that did that.

And we'll get the Hoosier Shavers group up and running, too. I think jhenry's pretty busy at the moment but we've not forgotten. Let me know when you'd like to get together again. It looks like you're progressing nicely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pacho53

My razor came today from Larry, of Whipped Dog Straights. After looking through all the stuff that came with my Sight Unseen Deal, I took the plunge. I followed Lynn's advice and only shaved the right side of my face, but it was great! After a couple of months of wet-shaving with a Merkur 34C HD, I finally went for it and had my first shave with a straight razor, albeit only a small part of my face. Now, I know I have a long way to go to get proficient, and a lot trickier parts of my face to shave, but I am really pleased with my first experience. It was easier than I thought it would be, probably because of all the reading, video watching and such. Anyhow, count me in. I can't wait until tomorrow morning. Special thanks to Larry for the fast service, and especially to jhenry and markdfhr who have adopted this newbie. And, of course, to the great folks on SRP! Happy New Year, folks!
--Ed

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Sounds like you've got a new hobby. I really enjoy it, now that I have finally become proficient at it. The journey is part of the fun, so don't get discouraged if it isn't always smooth sailing.