Thread: My First Straight Razor Shave...

My First (Partial) Straight Razor Shave:

Pre: Mild scrub with Shea Moisture Facial Scrub, hot towel, lather, hot towel, Anthony Logistics Pre-Shave Oil
Soap: Pyrate Cove Bay Rhum & Lime (what a lather!)
Razor 1: Australian Damascus Hollow
Razor 2: Schick Injector
Brush: Knob restore with TGN Boar Knot
Post: Styptic Pencil, Oil of Olay Facial Toner, Shea Moisture A/S Balm; Pure Shea Butter

Took the plunge and used a straight for the first time tonight. Did my right cheek with my right hand (dominant hand), then did my left cheek with my left hand, which was not as awkward as I'd expected. Only issue was, I couldn't always see the razor. This made me realize that learning with a French or round tip is an advantage. (Unfortunately, my backup razor is a square point but I shouldn't need to use it for a while.) I only shaved with the grain, trying to listen to the razor and get a feel for when I was mowing hair, paying attention to my angle without concentrating on it. I took it nice and slow but also felt comfortable. My challenge is stretching my skin with wet fingers and pre-shave oil. I shaved a little way under my chin on my right side because I felt comfortable doing so. I stopped there and pulled out the Injector to finish the job. I got two nicks; one was from the straight because I put the blade down horizontally (I knew better and pulled away immediately). Wasn't sure I nicked it but I think I did. The other was with the Injector on my adam's apple. I mowed down an ingrown hair. I would definitely call it a success. I got a BBS out of it, but must admit that while my skin isn't highly irritated, I can feel it. Let's say it's a bit sensitive. The shea butter after feels very good and I'm sure my skin will feel normal in the morning...

After all of the thought and mental preparation I put into having a good first shave, I think I accomplished that.

Using alum on your fingers for grip works good, as does glycerin as preshave instead of oil.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Using alum on your fingers for grip works good, as does glycerin as preshave instead of oil.

Thank you! I ordered some last night.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Trying to see stretch skin and shave can be tricky. There are a few small areas on my face that I doubt I will ever see the shaving. I don't know that anyone else sees in those place either, I just shave anyway and it seems to work out.

Originally Posted by Raven312

Thank you! I ordered some last night.

I like ordering stuff, its exciting to go home each day and see if your parcel has arrived. And on the upside too both these things are good and cheap, and can be used for other things too so if you don't get on with them you don't have to feel too bad.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Sounds like you are on the right track. Trying to see stretch skin and shave can be tricky. There are a few small areas on my face that I doubt I will ever see the shaving. I don't know that anyone else sees in those place either, I just shave anyway and it seems to work out.

LOL It did work out. I kept wondering if there was some trick to it that I was missing. I arranged my mirrors so that I could see on the side and the front, then I ended up turning my face so I couldn't see well with either. LOL I mentioned that my skin felt kind of sensitive. Strangely enough, it wasn't where I'd straight shaved, it was the areas I hit with the Injector. That left me something to think about.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I like ordering stuff, its exciting to go home each day and see if your parcel has arrived. And on the upside too both these things are good and cheap, and can be used for other things too so if you don't get on with them you don't have to feel too bad.

Me too! My SO doesn't like it one bit, but it's "necessary" so it'll be what it is. LOL

Originally Posted by Raven312

Me too! My SO doesn't like it one bit, but it's "necessary" so it'll be what it is. LOL

I do work away, and all my stuff gets delivered to the camp I stay in.

Everything comes to my house. As long as I'm not buying any more razors I'm safe...

Originally Posted by Raven312

Me too! My SO doesn't like it one bit, but it's "necessary" so it'll be what it is. LOL

I do work away, and all my stuff gets delivered to the camp I stay in.