Thread: First straight razor shave

As others have reassured you, it will indeed get better. My first several shaves were less than adequate, but within 1 to 2 weeks I was very happy. Now it seems every one just keeps on getting better. It is about technique and confidence.

Just shave the flatter parts of your face with a straight, like the jawline from the ear down and across and then cleanup with the usual razor until you get the hang of it, and then try the more difficult places. I would also advise that you "map out" your face and identify the more difficult areas, study and get to know them. When looking at the contours of your face, break down those contours into smaller, flatter planes and then shave those planes. A lot to learn for seemingly a simple chore, but once learned the chore will become a pleasure.

Pretty much what's been said already. Don't underestimate the importance of prep and a good lather, concentrate on using as little pressure as you can, experiment with different ways to pull your skin tight as the chin and neck can be a little troublesome to learn, experiment with blade angle a little to see what works best with that razor during each pass. It may need to be a tiny bit flatter or steeper to shave well.


Edit: I just realized this is your first post. Welcome to srp and may all your future shaves be closer than your wife and smoother than Frank Sinatra!

Everyone has already said it, but congrats on your first straight razor shave. Keep practicing and you will learn techniques that work best for you. Welcome to the straight razor club!

When I first started, it took me almost 40 mins to shave (single pass). After a few weeks it was down to 15 mins. Now, after about 8 months, I can do a 3 pass in about 15 mins.

It will naturally get better and faster with time.

As for those problem areas that you asked about, try to keep the blade angle as low as you can and keep the pressure LOW.

As was said before, map out your face so that you are sure you are shaving WTG in those spots as well.

Enjoy this journey. It's full of great milestones and a bit of pride.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Just shave the flatter parts of your face with a straight, like the jawline from the ear down and across and then cleanup with the usual razor until you get the hang of it, and then try the more difficult places. I would also advise that you "map out" your face and identify the more difficult areas, study and get to know them. When looking at the contours of your face, break down those contours into smaller, flatter planes and then shave those planes. A lot to learn for seemingly a simple chore, but once learned the chore will become a pleasure.

ecary:
My friend says it quite well. Remember, straight razor shaving requires skill, which takes time and practice to master. So be methodical and patient. Experiment and improvise. You'll get there — and then never look back.

Nothing much to add to what the other gentlemen said about "mastering a shave", the chin, the neck and all the other perilous parts, takes time to master, to understand.
I would only add, every face is different from any other one. Carefully look your face, not only the shape, but also how and where your whiskers tend to grow in every part of your face. You will then understand the better technique and angle to be used for your face, which is just yours and never be found in any other one's face.
Keep on doing the right job! (I mean, using a straight razor. )

I shaved with a DE prior to using a SR. I still do most days since I have not gotten proficient enough to use the SR half asleep and in a hurry on work days. Trying to rush it is a bad idea. But in shaving with a DE, I learned what direction the beard is growing at all spots on my face/neck. To some degree, its helped. The sides of my face are no problem. I can get them smooth as glass. No big surprise there. The neck is tough, especially for me since my beard grows on a hard left-to-right path, hugging the skin closely. It does this on about 3/4 of the neck leaving the other 1/4 going completely opposite. And there is two difficult spots on either side of my adams apple where the hair is considerably more fine and somehow damn near immune to any sharp blades (DE or SR). Shaving with the DE I learned that shaving wth the grain on my neck was a waste of time. The beard simply grows too hard to the right and hugs my face too close. The best option I found was to immediately shave across the grain on a sharp angle (almost against the grain) on my first pass. Now the blade is catching the stubble and making a productive pass. My first pass I go from the upper right to the lower left. Next pass is lower right to upper left. Finally I go straight across, right to left. Achieving this with a SR is hard because I don't have the same leverage, mobility or grip that I do with a DE. So far my best results have come from shaving smaller sections in the directions I need to shave in, adjusting my grip and angle with every inch. I hope it gets better (it seems like it is). Also, for me, I noticed that when I first started to use a SR that I was not accustomed to the resistance (not pulling) that you are likely to encounter. There is a greater blade surface trying to cut more hair at once without the same leverage that a handle provides. I had a hard time distinguishing the resistance from pressure. As a result, I was easing up on the beard allowing the blade to glide over the stubble vs. pulling it through the stubble and removing it. Now each pass is far more productive. I dont' know if any of this helps. Good luck.

One thing that may help on the troublesome parts of your neck, which actually sounds like the whole neck, is to try smaller strokes focusing on the heel part of the blade. You can get a lot more control with that part than any other, so it may do some good. There are a couple of hollows under my jaw that I use the heel 1/3 of the blade if I'm feeling particularly prudent that day. That or the point on my Wacker starts getting thirsty again....