Thread: And then I peeled my face off.

Well, just Finished laying the straight razor across my face for the first time. Despite the title it was a smashing success. I'm not even bleeding anywhere. (beginners luck i am sure)

I started exactly where i was supposed to. With the grain, right hand right sideburn, left hand left sideburn, then i set the razor down. Then i picked it back up. Then i finished up the right cheek, and then the left cheek, and then i moved below the jaw line. Things definitely got more complicated there but i was feeling surprisingly comfortable and a little adventurous so sticking with the standard N-S rule and what i'd seen in videos completed the neck. Around the chin and under the nose... well that is going to take some more work.

Rinsed off and thought... wow i missed quite a bit. So i completed another pass generally WTG. I decided to just go with my gut and rather than concentrating exactly on going N-S or holding the razor exactly how it is recommended i went with trying new grips as long as it felt sturdy and like i was in control of the blade I gave it ago. I also played more with the direction i knew the hair was growing. Cheeks went great and below the jawline definitely went better. Under the nose and the chin area are still a little furry though.

Had some issues with my Lather, I think a lot of it had to do with not concentrating on it enough due to excitement about the shave. That combined with taking it slow meant i had to re-lather a few times during the shave, but hey that's not really a big deal. The alum definitely lets you know where things were a little rougher haha... namely below the jaw line... but even while shaving i could tell my angle was off a bit. But that all comes down to practice and experience I'm thinking.

All in all I am calling it a success.

Will probably need to shave again later today so I'm good to go for work. May give the Straight another go with disposable for clean up or may just use disposable for a quick shave.... will make that decision later.

Nice.

The anticipation is always worse than the execution.

Congratulations on a pleasurable first experience but please don't get in a rush my friend. The fast track to overconfidence is paved in blood and scars.

Now that you have done it once, my one suggestion would be to have a re-read of a few of the beginner's articles in the wiki. It sounds like you did all of your homework beforehand but it is good to review now that you have actually done it. I think that you may find a few things that make better sense now and a few things that will give you an "AH HA!" moment.

That subject line is sure an attention grabber...

Yeah definitely need to not rush things. But was nice to have a good first go. Have been re-reading through a lot of the beginner stuff and will continue to do so. Now a few hours after shave that skin has settled a bit I am very happy with the results. Can honestly say better shave than most electric. The spots that need touch up are around the corners of mouth and upper lip an a bit lower down on the neck. I will probably do a quick touch up shave with the disposable tonight then tomorrow evening after work take the time to go for another round with the straight. Excited to be using it but like you said. Important to not rush things.

I had to use the subject line as that was my best friends advice when I mentioned the straight razor "Cool, just don't peel your face off."

The alum definitely lets you know where things were a little rougher

Congrats on your first SR shave.

Yes,..you can't hide the truth from the Alum,.....t will grade your shave for you every time.

A quick note once you have finished with the Alum is dry it off and gently set it down away from touching any metal.
Also the Alum is very brittle, so avoid dropping or you will end up with hundreds of baby Alums.

Congratulations on your first straight razor shave.

Roger

good to here of your success
I also went in a bit to keen for the first few shaves ( I missed the posts about doing the cheeks only first ) & paid the price when the Alum block was used but hey its all learning & no way I could go another ST8 shave in the same day as my face would peal off
razor burn + alum block = definately makes you check everything you do next time LOL

Tally-ho!! Congrats, it just gets better and better!

And yes, the alum block and the styptic pen are your friends!

Sounds like it could have gone a lot worse. Keep in mind it only gets better from here!!

Good job..congrats.