Thread: First shave good: Why did I wait so long?

I just finished my first one-pass shave a few minutes ago. I'm a little amazed that I got such a good shave on my cheeks and neck, and that I have no cuts, nicks, scrapes or irritation anywhere.

I bought a W. Dearborn & Co. 5/8 hollow ground here about a month ago, and a strop on the Bay, and watched the SRP video prior to today. I've been DE and SE shaving for about a year, so I have some experience with prep, lather and pressure/blade angles, which seemed to help.

I used both hands, and my cheeks and neck were fairly easy. My upper lip and chin area were pretty awkward, and the shave in those areas isn't anything I'd be comfortable with on a date with Sweetie.

One thing different from my DE experience--the razor seemed to stick to the lather like peanut butter at times. I re-lathered in those spots and things were better. I used MWF, which was rather thick. Should my lather have more water?

The razor felt pretty natural in my dominant hand, but was awkward in the other. Should I use both hands, or do as much as practical with my dominant one?

Last, my chin area was the most difficult because it has the most complex curves. Do you have any tips, or is it just a matter of practice?

I plan to use the straight every day for at lease a month, and do tough-ups for the time being with my Gillette.

Any and all tips/advice would be appreciated.

Codfish

Congrats on starting your straight razor lifestyle. I still find the chin area tough sometimes, however from what I have found in my limited experience so far is it just takes some practice. Make sure that you get your skin as rigid and flat as possible in that area. I usually have to tackle my chin from several different angles. I usually stick my tounge in from of my lower teeth and push out that indention, then use whichever free hand I have to pull my skin tight from one side or the other. Use light pressure and keep the angle as close to 30 degrees or less when possible. And again, practice, practice, and more practice. You will get the feel for your face and chin and learn what is best for you. Good luck with your journey and best of luck!

Terry

Originally Posted by Codfish

Last, my chin area was the most difficult because it has the most complex curves. Do you have any tips, or is it just a matter of practice?

Any and all tips/advice would be appreciated.

Codfish

To answer the question practice and patience.
Grats on the first shave.

+ mastering 'The Art of Stretching and Pulling'

"Why didn't I do this years ago?" That is precisely the question many of us have wondered!

welcome to SRP and may you too achieve shaving Nirvana.

Originally Posted by Codfish

I plan to use the straight every day for at lease a month, and do tough-ups for the time being with my Gillette.

Any and all tips/advice would be appreciated.

Codfish

Be careful of plateaus. Once I was able to get decent shaves, I kind of stopped trying to get better. Something woke me up out of that, I started focusing on finding ways to do things better, and my technique started to develop again.

Originally Posted by markevens

Be careful of plateaus. Once I was able to get decent shaves, I kind of stopped trying to get better. Something woke me up out of that, I started focusing on finding ways to do things better, and my technique started to develop again.

Thanks for this tip. I have a pretty clear idea of what I want (as least as good as my DE shaves).I was very pleased with my cheeks today, but I know I have a LONG way to go until I achieve mastery of shaving and equipment maintenance.

Codfish