Thread: First Shave

I've been reading this great site for a while and finally put my Clauss to work last night. It was a pretty pathetic shave especially around my chin area where my hair grows especially thick and I had to clean up with a safety. The good passes I was able to make on my cheeks, however, felt amazingly smooth afterwards. Can't wait for the courage and skill to do multiple passes and angles. One question: am I correct that it doesn't matter which side of the razor is facing you while shaving? I noticed that it's easier for me to hold it opposite of what most people in videos do when I'm hitting the right side of my face. Looking forward to becoming a full-time straight shaver with a little practice.

Sounds like you're off to a decent start! And don't worry about the chin area, it took me a while to master that too (my hair grows especially thick there also). It'll become easier and easier with more practice, trust me. As far as shaving technique goes and doing it opposite than what you've seen, the truth to this matter is....It doesn't really matter!!! If it works for you, then go for it, it's all about convenience and personal preferrence. I hope to be reading more posts about your improving shaves in the future.

Dave

P.s. Having your first full straight shave (i.e. no safety razor touch ups) is going to be amazing, definitely something you have to look forward to.

It only gets better! Hang in there!

Take it from someone who started with straights back in Janaury 08 and ran for a year and has recently returned to the straight, it gets better with practice. In fact I did my first complete straight shave with a stainless last night and it was great, got some work to do on the chin area, sound familiar? Sound like what you re running into?

Don't go too hard on yourself. There's a lot to learn & just keeping a consistent angle takes plenty of practice when following the chin. It will come if you persist! There is no difference which side faces you with a western razor, though not sure about the japanese ones. Good luck mate.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Don't go too hard on yourself. There's a lot to learn & just keeping a consistent angle takes plenty of practice when following the chin. It will come if you persist! There is no difference which side faces you with a western razor, though not sure about the japanese ones. Good luck mate.

+1 here. There is a strong tendency to flatten the razor out to almost 90 degrees when shaving under the lower lip and chin area. Very uncomfortable and also hard to remove whiskers. You really have to be aware that his is happening and make sure you are shaving at 30 degrees or less.

Have fun,

Lynn

good job! this sounds like a good start.

i frequently switch grip styles to what i am guessing is japanese style (the scales parallel to the edge and kind of gripped like a knife) as it makes the left side of my face much easier. i am planning on using my left hand eventually but for now i feel i should master the right.