Thread: Strange first time question...

+1 for the above. You may even want to do one pass with your existing setup before you try the straight. Go slow there's no rule that you can use two different types of razors to finish a shave.
I still use an old Schick injectable to finish off the small hairs around my lips.

Look into face prep as well. There are endless discussions here on what different people prefer. Here is a video of what got me into my search for the perfect shave! Hopefully it peaks your interest in a more classic shave like it did for me!

Welcome to SRP.. keep up updated on how your first shave went

As others have said stubble length isn't that important when using a straight.

That said a few days growth could be beneficial just because you can see the direction of the growth. This is useful if prior to wetshaving you hacked the hair off in any direction (like me), just to make a map of your face.

On the other hand if you already have a good map of the growth direction then length doesn't matter; could be a days growth or a month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCEVKmMljTY

Of course, this isn't Mr. Maggards first shave. But it does illustrate a clear difference in capabilities between SR's and cartridge razors. And he's having such a good time doing it. Which is what really makes it a great video.

To your specific question, I think you ought to be on your second day growth. I had trouble with first day growth for a while. The hairs just seemed a bit more stiff on day one. idk.

I really liked the last youtube (removing the beard). I have found this to be more fun is there is a couple days growth (2 and sometimes 3). I don't shave any better, but I do get a kick out of watching the change as I remove that much hair. I used to have a full beard and simply shaved my neck and the sides of my face. I started with only one days growth and that was neat but the first day I took of some of my beard I had a blast. Every now and then I let it grow for a few days and then shave and for some reason that seems to be more fun. I usually make 3 passes and the second and 3 pass are very different. It's almost like everything works just a bit better, smoother, and quicker when I do it this way.

Anyway, have fun...
Sgt Scott

About two days' growth would be good.