Thread: Back to Basics - Straight Razor

I've been posting my progress in the Beginners section of the forum chronicling my progression going from a disposable back to my 40 year old Safety razor and then to my Straight Razor, which was a hand-me-down I received over 40 years ago when I first started shaving. I very briefly used the Straight Razor before moving to what was then the more modern Safety. I think it was a test of some sort to show me the benefits of the modern Safety. Within the last 20 years I moved to a disposable.

So today is Day 5 - Zero nicks - and my first Straight shave.

It is also another day, like the last three, that I normally wouldn't shave because I didn't have to go into the office but shave I did, and shave I have been doing, since converting back to the Safety.

This morning I followed Lynn's advise (from his "First Straight Razor Shave-Read First" beginners guide) and partially shaved with a Straight Razor, finishing off with my Safety.

Today's experience: all downstrokes were performed utilizing the Straight Razor. As were some upstrokes on the neck. Then I finished the rest of my upstrokes with my Safety razor.

Sounds like things are coming along nicely for you

Keep it up and in no time at
all you will shaving exclusively
with a straight.

Terry

Day 8 - My wife and I have been in our cabin in the Catskill Mountains for the past few days now.

I honed my second SR (that I planned to leave in the cabin) just before we left, but it looks like I had set my SR bevel higher on one side of the blade than the other. Unfortunately, I left my stone(s) back in the L.I. house. I also left my second brush back on L.I. as well (also intended to leave here), so I did my best at making lather "on my face" using a bar of MWF (I did bring the soap and cup).

Because of the bevel issue, for the remainder of the time we are here (until Jan 3), I will only use the SR for downstrokes and do everything else with the Safety.

I 'm hoping this Half-SR/Half-Safety method will work to my favor as I still need to work on my technique around my chin and on my upper lip.

Day 9 - still in the cabin

The cabin water is under 50 degrees coming out of the well head so we have to keep the hot water tank at a higher than normal temperature or we wouldn't be able to get warm water. Basically you have to start with hot and then slowly add cold until you get the desired temperature.

So this morning instead of shaving after a shower I just washed my face with hot water and MWF as a pre shave prep. Then I re-lathered, or as best I could without a brush, and shaved with my SR. Once again, all downstrokes (mostly WTG). I seem to be getting a better 1st cut each and every day. I really concentrated around my chin trying to get my technique down. I also did a good deal of AcTG with the SR before moving to the Safety for the AgTG finish.

Best shave since I started this process. I am amazed at the difference in only 9 days. But, I am not sure yet if it is the razor(s) itself or the process. Back 9 days ago when I was still using disposables I didn’t perform a pre-share routine, and I didn’t perform much of a post shave one either. Now I am doing a minimum of a pre-hot water/soap wash and a post Alumn Bar application and moisturizer application. Add to that the distinct difference in the soaps I am using compared to the $1.00 can of foam I used to use and I’m not really sure what is the reason for the difference. I am quite aware that I am spending a lot more time on my shave, I’m spending a lot more effort, and I’m giving myself a much higher level of pampering and it is obviously showing.

Someone said to me yesterday that my face had a glow.