Thread: Well, I am getting there...

I have been shaving with a D/E Merkur for the last three years or so. I started with a Futur, but could never really get the right adjustment on it, so I switched to a Heavy Classic, which is a much better razor, IMO.

I just started shaving with a straight razor a little over a month ago. I can go WTG and XTG on the cheeks easily enough...and line up my sideburns while I am at it. I started trying ATG on my cheeks last night, but I can already tell I need more practice. However, I was VERY close to BBS after my third pass.

My chin and neck, however, are another story. I cannot go full XTG on my neck...the razor is too long!

I have not worked up the courage to go ATG on my chin...I just got semi-proficient at WTG in that area...

As it stands now, I begin my shave with a hot towel held against my face until it starts to cool, then wash with Gilette sensitive skin pre-shave wash, both while the brush is soaking in hot water. I then whip up some lather in a mug using Prosario sensitive shaving cream...which has improved my overall shave quality since I switched from shaving soap...and it lasts longer!

I start with a WTG pass with the S/R. I then do an XTG on my cheeks with the straight, and a partial XTG on my neck with the straight, kind of diagonal from the corner of my jaw to my adam's apple.

I then do ATG on my cheeks, followed up by ATG all-over with the Merkur D/E, and additional XTG/ATG on my trouble spots.

End of routine is Nivea Sensitive Skin post shave balm, after I shower.

Yes, I shower after I shave, not before. I discovered early on with my D/E that if I shower before I shave, I get more cuts. If I shower after I shave, i get less cuts during the shave, and whatever nicks I do get close up by the time I finish my shower.

Unfortunately, I cannot go to work with stubble, as 'I am learning to shave with a S/R" is not a viable excuse.

First of all, congratulations for having started shaving with a straight razor. It will take some time for practicing, but I am sure the reward will be amazing and you will never regret the time spent in learning it. In particular, when you will realize a straight razor shave is more accurate than DE.
I know, at the beginning it is not easy, in particular the ATG part, neck and chin, you mention it, are sometimes tricky. But it is just a matter of time and of understanding your face, skin and angles. Don't give up and take your time!
As for the length of blade, keep in mind a longer blade is sometimes an advantage you are going to appreciate very soon: it is just a matter of time and when you will have acquired a better feeling with your razor and feel comfortable at using it, you will realize how important is the length of the blade as well as the shape of the point and blade height. This is also the great part of straight razors: there are so many types and styles, each of them providing a different shave.
I don't know whether you have got the so called RAD, but, if this is the case, you will never stop buying vintage straight razors and then you will enjoy all the different combinations a blade can give. A round point definitely is different from a spike point, as well as a 5/8 is different from a 8/8: it just changes the way you shave and how you use a razor.

You are doing great and, don't give up!

Yeah, sounds like you're doing great. Remember, WTG, XTG and ATG are not necessarily N to S, W to E and S to N, your hair may very well grow at different angles. You may in fact not need to go XTG on the neck. I too find I can't get the razor fully against each hair due to the length of the blade; if I use a DE I can fully up against each hair. There are some smaller razors you could look at purchasing.

I used to have a Schulze 'Wiener Schaber' which was a nice little razor; very manoeuvrable. The picture is it shown with a 5/8 W&B for comparison...