Thread: First Shave

I received my kit from Vintage blades and shaved the day before yesterday. The razor was shave ready so I lathered up and got to work. I took my time going only with the grain this time. I only had one itty bitty little nick under my chin but it was no big deal. My only problem that I could see was that, well, I couldn't see. It seemed my hand was always "in the way". I have a problem with my left eye. Left lateral rectus paresis....(lazy eye) i.e. my left eye doesn't look left. So when I turn my head right to look at the left side of my face in the mirror, my hand is in the way of my right eye; it turns left and right. So I looked like I was a contortionist trying to stretch the skin and shave right handed. Are any of you ambidextrous? And does your hand ever get in the way?

H

I do not have eye problems and some times it is hard not to cover the area I am shaving with my arm, particularly around my goatee. What I normally do is to switch hands to solve the problem.

Al raz.

Congrats on your first straight razor shave.

Besides the nick under your chin, and the problems with your hand getting in the way, how did you like it?

When I started, I also had some issues with my hand getting in the way and blocking my vision. But as I became more comfortable with a straight, and learned how to use both hands, I don't have this problem anymore.

Congratulations as well! It's tricky not being able to see where your blade is. I can never see where I'm cutting under my right side burn but you'll get the feel for it and you'll no longer need to. Just be sure to read up on the topics you are not too familiar with as it will most likely save you a little money and unnecessary embarrassment.

Originally Posted by Mike7120

Congrats on your first straight razor shave.

Besides the nick under your chin, and the problems with your hand getting in the way, how did you like it?

When I started, I also had some issues with my hand getting in the way and blocking my vision. But as I became more comfortable with a straight, and learned how to use both hands, I don't have this problem anymore.

I'm hooked. I actually had a dream last night about lathering. The kit came with a pad of Col. Conks bay rum soap. I didn't know what the Bay rum smelled like before but I like it. It reminds me of my grandfather. I think the problems with my hand in the way can be worked around. I just need to get a technique down.

I took up ambidexterous shaving because my right hand blocked my left cheek WTG. Learning to shave with my left hand helped a lot but it is still difficult to see when I trim the sideburns due to the extreme angle. I've been shaving about 2 mos. and feel as comfortable shaving with my left hand as my right. It was wierd at first, though.

Originally Posted by BigHinAK

I'm hooked. I actually had a dream last night about lathering. The kit came with a pad of Col. Conks bay rum soap. I didn't know what the Bay rum smelled like before but I like it. It reminds me of my grandfather. I think the problems with my hand in the way can be worked around. I just need to get a technique down.

I'm glad you like it.

I've used Col Conks shave soaps in the past and liked them a lot.

Welcome to SRP great group of people on this site lots of help and knowledge. I am just learning to see past my hand and arm when I do certain parts of my face. But I am ambidextrous so I am lucky but with time you will learn to shave with both hands and get to those spots that are hard to see. I am also glad to hear your loving your straight razor and shaving with it congrats on your first shave. Well once again welcome to your new addiction.

I have similar problems except I wear glasses - but don't wear them while shaving. Maybe I should try wearing them.

The good news is that over time you learn to almost shave some areas with your eyes closed. It's like being able to close your eyes and touch your nose. Watch those ears though!

Switching the blade between hands does make things easier for me, I do it constantly now without thinking about it.

This is a good start. And don't worry, you're not the only straight razor shaver with vision challenges. We even have one member who is blind and he makes out okay. Keep at it. You'll find your way through and it'll get more and more comfortable.

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