Thread: 3rd times an idiot with a weapon.

Well, I feel like a bit of a tit, okay rephrase, I feel a complete & utter muppet. Had a shave on Saturday morning, & I proper went for it. Hacking away like a lunatic. With the grain, across the grain, against the grain.....through the grain! I looked like I'd had a 3 way fight with the cat & Edward Scissorhands... I lost. I didn't cut anything deep, just a nicks here, there & everywhere, & one long scratch on my left cheek that is so shallow it didn't even draw blood, it's just a nice thin red line. It's only started to fade to a point where I wasn't completely embarrassed within the last day or so, & I've got a nice bit of stubble starting to cover it up. I am getting to the point now that the stubble is starting to itch like crazy & I'm going to have to get rid of it soon before it drives me round the bend. Wonder how messed up I'll look after I have a shave.

Needless to say, I have a fair bit more respect for the razor & my lack of skill with it. I was considering using my old cartridge razor for the next few days, but I might go ahead with the straight, but reign myself in considerably & just do with the grain again & resort to my old gillette if I feel even slightly hesitant. Haven't decided yet.

On the plus side, the right hand side of my face is completely scratch free, & I'm left handed...go figure.

Give it another go with the straight. Very light pressure and watch your angle. Assuming your razor is shave ready also.

Can't get proficient at something without practice. if it comes out bloody you can always tell folks you saved a baby from a mountain lion.

Start with just with the grain and don't feel bad about going back to the cartridge. I saw some good advise when I first started that you should go until you start to feel uncomfortable and then finish with your old way of shaving. This worked wonders for me and eventually I was confident to do my whole face with a straight.

I'd say the razor is shave ready, at least as far as honing is concerned. It was bought very recently from The Invisible Edge, & Steve seems to have a lot of respect in here, so I'd say it's definitely me, rather than the tools. I just got carried away, & should have put my brain in gear rather than carrying on.

I'm not even sure where I'd find a mountain Lion in Yorkshire. I could say I fought a Badger for it's hair to make my own shaving brush, but that wouldn't convince anyone on here. I'm not even sure what a British Badger brush would be like. I imagine it would look something like roadkill.

knew you were a fellow yorkshireman after the first sentence haha! quality

Start on the sides of your face from the sideburns down wtg then finish up with your old way of shaving. Once u get completely comforatable tackle another section, get comfortable and move on. Also play with the angle of your razor. Angle can make a huge difference. Pre shave oil can help too. Keep at it and watch a bunch of videos!

Slow and steady is the key to success. Try to imagine or visualise the stroke before you do it, then do it. Don't faff around mid-stroke with second thoughts or what-ifs - be definite.

Start with easy bits as mentioned above. Gain confidence that way, and spread your field of endeavour gradually. You'll get there.

In terms of your left handedness, it is not uncommon for your off-hand side to be the "better" side. I am not sure why, but I think it has to do with being more aware and paying more attention to the "bad" hand...?

Good luck.

James.

I made the same mistake early on. I tried too hard too soon to get a close shave. At this point in your learning curve, don't even worry about a close shave. Concentrate on safety and technique and the close shave will follow in its own time. For now let your face heal.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I definitely need a shave today. Over 5 days now, & the "man of the woods" look isn't working for me, + I've never been able to get past the itching stage to actually grow a bread. Only 3 hours left of work, & then I'm getting rid of this, & I'm using the straight. Don't tell the wife though, she thinks I'm going to use my gillette so that I don't cut myself to ribbons again. I'm sure the gillette is going to be involved at some point, but I won't get any better if I don't keep practicing.

I started with the sideburn to jawline approach but found I could do both cheeks as well. Now I can do WTG and XTG except for chin and upper lip, still use the Gilette for those (after a failed attempt with the straight).