Thread: Almost Senior-Citizen's First Straight-Razor Shave

As long as you survive your first shave without major injuries, it's a good shave. As for the rest, the long whiskers don't bother a straight at all since there's nothing to clog up; some members prefer shaving that way. The usual progression of passes is with the grain, across the grain, then (if needed) against the grain. It's usually best to put off going against the grain until you've got a few dozen shaves under your belt, because it's really easy to nick yourself unless your prep, lather, technique, and razor aren't perfect.

The rest is technique, which will gradually improve with experience, and your shaves should improve dramatically over the next dozen shaves or so.

Originally Posted by mparker762

The usual progression of passes is with the grain, across the grain, then (if needed) against the grain. It's usually best to put off going against the grain until you've got a few dozen shaves under your belt, because it's really easy to nick yourself unless your prep, lather, technique, and razor aren't perfect.

The rest is technique, which will gradually improve with experience, and your shaves should improve dramatically over the next dozen shaves or so.

Thanks for the advice. I've also got an A.E. Berg 1.5cm (19/32) square point, which (besides needing to be rescaled, but definitely usable) needs sharpening. And I'm looking at either of two other similar razors. Perhaps the less-deep blades will be easier to control. In any case, I'm not a quitter and, like I wrote, there's no Missus to complain if my chin is a mite rough or I've got a few nicks...

(other than work, I've never had a "hobby", so one which serves two purposes is doubly enjoyable)