Thread: First shave stubble length

Gentlemen

I've gotten my first SR, a Shumate Cutlery 5/8. Nothing fancy. Hoping to learn the technique with good solid everyday razor. It came to me from a gentleman that uses/restores razors and I am confident that I can use it right away. I have a strop but will not use that until after the first shave. I want to feel the edge and received. I have read all the beginner articles. I think I understand the differences between DE and SR shaving and am MORE than willing to take it slow! As recommended, I will start with simple passes under the sideburns for the first shave, then onto the cheeks and progressing each shave.

But I do have one question that wasn't answered in what I read. I originally intended to shave with my average beard growth. I have a beard that isn't particularly dense, grows fairly slowly (I shave every other day with a DE because I usually get a very close shave) but is quite curly and coarse. So here is my question. Is there an advantage to shaving the first time with a different level of stubble growth than my standard 2 day growth? Would shaving after 3 days provide more feedback and help me learn the technique? Or maybe shaving with little growth would make it easier to master because the razor isn't working very hard?

So what's your perspective? Is there an advantage to using a different level of growth or should I stay with my normal 2 day stubble?

I'm not sure about advantages but I find it more fun to shave when I have more growth. In the warmer times of the year I will shave 2-3 times per week but this time of year I shave just once a week to ten days and it is just a "cool" thing to watch the razor blow through all that cabbage... Especially when it all comes together right and you get a great first pass almost taking you to DFS and the second pass is just clean-up (I don't do three passes as my neck hair grows from one ear to the other making ATG too risky for my tastes) so you just come away with a great feeling of completion!

2mm or 2 inches, matters not. Just like Prahston says, it's fun taking off more. There is no more work, three passes is three passes no matter the length.

Don't over think and don't stay on the SR longer than you should. It takes a while to make the leap fully. Let it.

Two great replies! I guess that's why they're called "whisker whackers!"

Most folks find when the whiskers are longer they get a closer and more comfortable shave. Why? many theories but most feel the razor has more to cut into so it shaves more efficiently.

Can you WAIT for three days? When I started I wanted to shave twice a day. Reminds me of sex, come to think of it.



These days I shave once a year on my birthday.

It's been a loooonng three days but tomorrow will be my first straight razor shave... well, partial shave anyway!

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Can you WAIT for three days? When I started I wanted to shave twice a day. Reminds me of sex, come to think of it.



These days I shave once a year on my birthday.

Stubble length makes no difference. Enjoy your first one. Watch your angles and use little to no pressure.

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Stubble length makes no difference. Enjoy your first one. Watch your angles and use little to no pressure.

X2
I have shaved everyday and once a week. It comes down to getting use to using a straight razor properly.

Good luck

Two day's growth is about right. Any less and the razor might miss some (likely to happen on a first try), and any more and the razor might meet more resistance than you're prepared for.

Of course this is my opinion based on my experience and my beard....