I got my razors back from Glen the honemeister (gssixgun @ SRP) today. Tomorrow will be my first straight razor shave. Wish me luck. I'm only going to go WTG and probably only do my cheeks, unless I feel confident enough after the cheeks to try my jawline and neck. I've got a 7/8 W&B and 6/8 Wostenholm...I think I'm going to try the Wostenholm first. I figure since it's a little smaller, it will be easier to handle. I'll post back with the results, if I'm able....:sick002
Best of luck to you! Yes, please - let us know how it goes for you. I'll be doing the same next weekend, so I'll look forward to your experience. Cheers, Tom
I remember my first time. Have the Velva on standby just in case. Good Luck, take your time, don't fear the blade, have confidence.
Congratulations, man! Listen, whatever you do, do NOT hesitate with the blade and allow it to rest stationary against your skin or you will end up sinking it into subsurface layers of dermis. Just keep the blade moving while it is against your skin and you'll be ok. Focus on angle and completing your strokes. And remember that your great, great grandfather learned how to do it when he was 16.
Congrats! Take your time, keep mind of your blade angles, and keep it light. Let us know how it goes completing a clean close straight shave is something else!
Good luck Matt, should be fine, Take extra time to prep, hot towel soak and lather longer than usual. Use whatever soap/cream you have that you think is the slickest, Justin, you want me to send you my Wolstenholm for a test drive? It's stropped and ready to go
You are going to make me break out a straight again.. and none of mine are shave ready other then my Shavette.. grrrr Enjoy the fun.
Morning's come...we slept in a bit and just finished breakfast. Heading to the shower in a few....cool:
Not that impressed. The Wostenholm was like...well, it's what I imagine using Merkur blade would be like given it's reputation. Not smooth like I expected, not wickedly sharp like I expected. A lot of dragging, almost no hair on the blade, and it didn't seem like it took any off of my face. After one WTG pass, I gave up and it looked like I hadn't shaved at all so I decided to try the W&B. The W&B was a little bit better. First it felt heavier in my hand, which I seem to prefer in my DEs. It was smoother than the Wostenholm and did seem to be a bit sharper, but not by much. After the WTG with the W&B I set it down and picked up my Fatboy with a Gillette 7 O'Clock Black (day 2?). WTG was incredibly smooth followed by an equally smooth and effortless ATG. Phenomenal BBS today and my skin feels great! I think my expectations were too high. I certainly didn't expect to get BBS with the straight, especially doing only one WTG pass. But I also didn't expect so much trouble with that one WTG pass. Remember your first DE shave where you thought you'd never be able to get it and smooth irritation free shaves would just never come? I didn't think I'd be set back that far switching from DE to straight. I will definitely stick with it because I know it will come, especially after looking back and seeing how far I have come with the DE/SE. It is also entirely possible that my prep could use some work. Maybe what's good enough for DE/SE shaving isn't quite enough softening for straight razor shaving? Although to be honest, I can't imagine what more I could do.... I also know my technique is, well it's non-existent with straights...
Don't worry, because to master a straight razor takes time and dedication. Keep doing it, and you will get better and better each time, and you won't even realize it!
Thanks guys. You're right, and I don't plan on giving up. I think I was half hoping that coming from DEs and already having decent prep and lathering capability that I would be a little farther ahead of the game than I actually was. I realize now that was just conceit on my part and I really am no better off starting out than anyone else. :ashamed001
Twiddle with the angle a bit until you find where you get the best results. And make sure you stretch in a way that raises your stubble off the skin if possible. Prep really is secondary to angle and stretching with straights, IMO. Also, just remember that with a DE you are putting what? 1-1.5 inches of blade against your skin and dragging? With a straight there is usually a good 3 inches of blade to drag across your face - a lot more resistance and for the first few weeks you will feel it. Good work though - there was no mention of blood James.
Congrats on the first straight shave!! Keep with it slow and steady over time you'll be amazed. Never forget you always have your DE to clean up and jump to if things aren't going right for that specific shave. Over time after it clicks you won't need the de for cleanup.
Thanks Jimbo, I hadn't taken into account the size:resistance ratio. I know my stretching was subpar as well as my blade angle. No blood - maybe I was being too cautious? I think I may have been concentrating so much on no pressure that I wasn't holding the blade firmly enough... That's how it went when I first switched to DE, I just have to keep telling myself it will get better with practice. As with everything in life. Thanks for the encouraging words everyone! :happy088
