Crossed over to the Dark Side!

My curiosity has finally got the better of me. Today, I took delivery of some new items.

I think I will watch Lynn's DVD before my first shave. I've read most of the posts here, and lurked on SRP for awhile now, but I think the DVD will be time we'll spent.

I've been interested in straights for a year now. Bad news is I shaved this morning, and don't need to shave till tomorrow. Good things come to those who wait!

Any sage advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

I watched a few videos Lynn put out, and they were helpful. I personally found sticking to the cheeks for a few shaves to be helpful. Also, really work on your lather. It didn't take me long to realize my lather skills were not as good as I thought they were after a year of wet shaving.

Congrats on the razors! The Aust is a good shaver in my opinion; one of my favorite razors.

 

I been going for cushion with my facelather. I will probably have to incorporate more water for slickness. I might have to flip a coin to decide which razor to use.

 

Abrams video is a great resource. As mentioned above, start with the cheeks, and get used to using your off hand before committing to the neck and chin. Soon enough you'll be comfortable doing full passes.

 

What kind of soap are you usibg for the maiden voyage? Any preshave oil?

 

1. Take your time.
2. Don't try and shave too much
3. Mind the angle at all times
4. Dont be timid with your stroke. Know the path you're taking on your cheek (downward) and execute with confidence. Too light a touch may cause you to wander east/west and slice skin vs north/south shaving motion

 

Haslinger Schafmilch

 

Will do.

 

Gesundheit.

 

I have still yet to try haslinger. I guess it's time.

 

Baaa Baaa Bad joke!

 

I make my lather slicker (wetter) for straight shaving than I do for DE shaving. Good skin stretching makes straight razor shaving much smoother.

 

Welcome to the Dark Side!! I agree with what everyone has said here. I haven't been SR shaving for more than a couple months, but everything everyone has mentioned has helped a lot.
Take your time, predetermine the path you want you stroke to be, take it nice and easy, and longer smooth strokes. You have a couple really nice looking SR's there!! Congrats!!


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Welcome to the dark side. Embrace the face!

 

#3 above is my downfall! For some reason I have a hard time seeing the right side of my face in the mirror when I go to take my strokes. Under the right sideburn is where I always have the cuts.

 

#4 was an issue for me as well. In trying to keep light pressure, I would hold the razor loosely, and this caused me lots a problems. It took me a bit to realize I needed a bit more firm grip when holding the razor and to move it with confidence, just as Kevin mentions. I had more cuts and less beard reduction until I got this figured out.

 

Welcome to the Dark Side. Those are some nice razors you have there! Great razors to start with. You choose well.

A couple of tips from my experience:

The first time you shave you are going to be nervous which means your hand will tremble a little or lot. This makes it very easy to cut yourself. So just do what you are comfortable with. I started with just the cheeks and slowly added more as gained confidence. Do sit the razor down, pause and the start shaving, another way to cut yourself. Shave with confidence, you can adjust the angle as you go, if your are feeling nervous just start with the spine almost lying down and the you steepen the angle.

If you feel nervous, put the straight down, step away and pick up a DE (or other type of razor) and finish.
If you are in a hurry, put the straight down, step away and pick up a DE.
If you think someone may barge into your shave den while you are shaving, put the straight down, step away and finish with a DE.
If something does not feel right, you can't find the right angle or bend your wrist the right way. Put down the straight and pick up a DE.

Some people shave fine with just one hand. I could not find the proper angle using my dominant hand so I forced my to learn to shave with both hands. I am not coordinated and thought it would not be possible.... but it was. I used an empty shavette to practice with my off-hand and create the muscle memory.

Straight shaving takes time to learn, it was almost 30 shaves before I felt comfortable and could deliver an acceptable shave. At 100 shaves I could consistently produce very good to excellent shaves.

Straight razor shaving is the ultimate customizable shave. Aggressive to mild, you pick the angle. No no to change the adjuster just a small shift in angle and you can change it on the move. You can customize the edge of your razors to exactly what you want, no need to try 100 different DEs. It is relaxing, very zen like, their is a sense of accomplishment, it is very cool and..... bad ass.

Enjoy your journey.

 

Minding my angles and making a slick lather were my biggest issues when I started SR shaving. Keep the spine of the razor so it's just about 3 spines widths off your face and keep a wetter than normal lather compared to DE shaving. Get comfortable with shaving your cheeks first, as the chin and neck require a bit more coordination. Make sure your razor is shave ready and properly honed.

SR shaving is really a lot of fun and a skill worth learning. Congrats!

 

If you don't already, stretch the skin on the area to be shaved.
Keep mindful of the entire edge not just the part in contact with your skin.
Remember to breath. It is a bit nerve racking to hold razor sharp steel to your face/neck. You are more likely to be jumpy if you are holding your breath.

There is no penalty for stopping when you don't feel comfortable or re lathering if you've taken your time and the lather has dried. Slick, wet lather helps the razor glide.

Enjoy and embrace your dark side. It is worth learning.

 

By the way, why does everyone refer to straight shaving as "the dark side"? I find my shaves, even when not perfect, to be a heavenly start to my day.