Thread: 10 shaves in and still having issues

Originally Posted by HamburgO

For some reason, SR shaving came very naturally to me. Got the occasional nick here and there, never anything major

You do realize now that you bragged about this in a public forum that you will give yourself the nastiest, bloodiest gash in the very near future...

Originally Posted by Ryan82

You do realize now that you bragged about this in a public forum that you will give yourself the nastiest, bloodiest gash in the very near future...

Actually, I was thinking of the black knight in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" when I read that part of the post: "It's merely a flesh wound, I've had worse!"

I am about 25 shaves in and still climbing the curve. My nicks have gotten fewer and less severe but I still feel like I am ironing out technique issues. I think we are in the majority of new users so keep at it. I haven't gotten the chin area down pat but that is half the fun and challenge. Once you master it, then what?

Originally Posted by JeffM

I am about 25 shaves in and still climbing the curve. My nicks have gotten fewer and less severe but I still feel like I am ironing out technique issues. I think we are in the majority of new users so keep at it. I haven't gotten the chin area down pat but that is half the fun and challenge. Once you master it, then what?

You never master it !!!! As soon as you think this is a peice of cake,that blade will make you eat some humble pie,TRUST ME ON THIS ONE HOMESLICE.

Originally Posted by flyman

First of all, +1 on all the comments already posted. But I think it bears repeating:

1. Skin stretching: Are you rinsing after each pass? I tried not rinsing after reading a post about it here 2 months in and I haven't looked back. I now only rinse once the shave is over (before touch ups). It makes stretching on subsequent passes much easier. YMMV

2. Left hand: Time. It's that simple. Just let it happen. For that matter, same goes for timing the shave. Just enjoy it.

3. The videos: I had the same feelings when I watched them. I think half of them are embellished as well as being made by long-time veterans of str8 shaving. Don't be discouraged and especially don't think you'll shave that effortlessly any time soon. You want to see a real str8 shave with no bull? Check out Lynn's video. Very real and very informative. No smoke and mirrors or loud rock music. All due respect to those who make the latter type, but that's more entertainment.

4. BBS on first shave: It's been said already: balderdash.

All good points, especially #4 - for me at least. Baby's Butt Balderdash is right on. We should have a new acronym: BBB. I generally get the DFS: Darn Fine Shave, but almost never take the extra time to attempt the perfection of the vaunted BBS. I shave before going to work and a 2 pass shave is just fine, darn fine, and takes all the time I've allowed for shaving before dashing out the door.

And there you are -

Congrats on shaving with a straight razor! Try not to get discouraged in the beginning. The learning curve is steep. I still do not get BBS shaves and I have been shaving with a straight for over 6months. In terms of getting traction to stretch the skin, try using either a styptic pencil or an alum block on the area where traction is needed. In terms of using the left hand, that just takes time. I try to brush my teeth wtih my left to get build muscle memory and coordination with that hand. Eventually, it will feel more natural. Just keep at and you will get there. I would check out all the links on this forum to good shaving videos. One thing to also keep in mind is to go SLOW. It takes me about 35-45 mins to do a straight shave properly without any cuts or nicks.Good luck with your shaving experience.

try not to get discouraged, being only 3 months in I just the other day was able to complete a full 3 pass shave, w/ only cheeks being BBS. I was about half a month in before I could complete a shave without reverting to the old way to finish and clean. It takes me around 30 min to lather, strop and shave, 45 min for full three pass. Take your time if you rush mistakes/blood will ensue. Just stay patient take your time and it will come.

Ive only had about 10 shaves as you. Dont get down I to have had problems and have only been able to shave every 3 or 4 days because of burns. Were learning and it will take a while as most have probly experianced but today I had a better shave and learned that if I take my time really learn how to stretch my skin right and use a really light touch it went much better. Im only shaving WTG for 2 passes and get smooth enough for me for now. Keep at it and good luck
Glenn

When I started, I only shaved the big easy flat areas with the straight and used my Mach3 for the rest. It took 6 months like this before I expanded my straight range over my whole face. No hurry.

I used a washcloth for traction when stretching soapy skin, but more recently I've found that just-shaved skin is perfectly grippy, so I route my shave accordingly. I start at my neck, about 2" above the lather line, and shave downward toward where I'm stretching the skin. Then I move the whole operation up 2" and repeat. At this point, my grain direction changes and so my grip points and shave strokes change to follow them. For sideburns I grip above, like the diagrams and videos show, and shave downward. Move my grip down and repeat...

As you learn your beard grain you'll determine the best places to stretch from, and directions to stretch in, and develop your own shaving routes. It's just another part of the adventure.

Have fun with it all!