Thread: Almost ready to give it up

Straight razor newbies can be pretty rough on an edge and I'll bet a touch up on the hones would get you over the hump. Send me a pm if interested.

Yup. It can be disheartening. But the upper lip and chin are _the hardest_ spots. So, look how close you are!

Whenever I would hit the wall as a relative beginner, I would send both my straights out for a good honing. Then, whatever else was going wrong, I _knew_ the edges were sharp. Once I was shaving well all over, I began managing my own touch-up honing. M

Good luck!

Originally Posted by jrudd

I was there just a week ago, I had the most horrible experience of my shaving life. I fealt as though I was a teenager who is shaving for the first time. I had the worst razor burn in the history of razor burn. My face looked like a plump juicy red apple.

I re-read a bunch of posts and tweaked a few things and followed advice. I tried again, concentrating on pressure mainly. I only did one pass with very light pressure. My pressure was so light it fealt unnatural and I thought there was no way I am taking off hair. It was comfortable though and I was surprised that I was shaving. I ended up with closer, more comfortable shave than I had to date with my straight. I have a lot more work and more practice but I fealt that I am actually moving forward.

I've been shaving with my straights for a year, and I still have trouble with this. No matter how many times I get a close and comfortable shave with little to no pressure, I always catch myself trying to revert to the old habit of relying on pressure instead of letting the razor do it's job. It's especially tempting when the blade gets to the point it needs a touch up and I'm feeling to lazy to re-strop with CrOx or take the razor back to the finishing hone for a few strokes.

Still, it beats any shave I ever got with a disposable, so I've stuck with it. With time and practice things will improve. I might suggest obtaining a barber's hone to make blade maintenance a little easier. Maybe take BeJay up on his offer. Don't give up on it Bruce. If you quit, the terrorists win!

You cant rush experience....a little but often...I know people on this site are sick of me saying this.
You will be fine. let us know in 2 months how much better the shave is.

Hang in there. It is a tough skill to acquire. You need to be sure the razor is sharp. If this is not a given, your attempt will not be a success.

I have heard it said that the first 100 shaves are the worst and after that you start getting really good at it. Keep going and you will be rewarded by amazing shaves.

If you have a hanging strop try laying it across a table making it a bench strop. Might work until you are more comfortable with it.

I started with a Hart Steel 7/8 razor. This was relatively easy to use and maintain on hanging strop. What type of razor do you use?
I recently bought a full hollow ground Bismark razor, which proved to be more difficult to handle on a hanging strop. The bigger razor proved to be far more forgiving and easier to shave with.
So equipment might play a small role?

Originally Posted by DduckyMark

I have heard it said that the first 100 shaves are the worst and after that you start getting really good at it. Keep going and you will be rewarded by amazing shaves.

If you have a hanging strop try laying it across a table making it a bench strop. Might work until you are more comfortable with it.

I agree - 100 shaves is a good benchmark - and if, like me, you're shaving 3 or 4 times a week - do the math and basically it's a full year to really get it down pat - which aligns perfectly with my experience - the journey is the fun part, don't dwell on the destination...the good and great shaves will happen, and after awhile, they'll just get more consistent.

Remember , relax and enjoy yourself!

Just keep on shaving. You are just beginning to get comfortable with the process after 2 months. For me it was a full year of daily shaving with a straight before I felt like the shave I got was superior to any other shave I could get. Now after 8 years I wouldn't think of shaving any other way. You just have to persist and enjoy the journey.