Friday morning I shaved with the Easy Aces, two passes and then finish with the DE. The shave seemed to go well but still getting irritation. I think I am using to much pressure. Saturday I took the new Dovo for a spin. Just like DEs I love the extra weight. Two smooth passes and a little less irritation than before. I did 1/2 of the 3rd pass until it felt awkward. Since I had a date that night I did not want to make a bloody mess trying something new. Sunday I used the Whipped Dog ugly razor. It is ugly but this dog can hunt. Two good passes and finish with the DE. I tried hard to not to use pressure but the shave felt rough while I was using the razor. After the shave there was even less irritation than prior SR shaves. At some point I will have to try for the 3rd pass. Maybe this Tuesday because it is a holiday. Anyway slow and steady progress but still along way away.
Maybe not such a long way to go yet. Sounds to me like you are determined, and that's 90% of the battle! Now it's just time and more shaves to get everything fine tuned. I wish for you happy straight razor shaving!
This week I got in three SR shaves: Wednesday I made 2 1/2 passes with the Dovo. I tried hard to not use pressure and the weight of the Dovo helps. I finished with a DE and it feels like I am improving but still getting some irritation but no blood Saturday SR shave was with Easy Aces. This time I got through 2 3/4 passes. I was feel confident until I got to the chin and upper lip. The least irritation yet but I had 1 nick from operator error. Finished up with a DE. This is the least irritation ever from SR shave. Sunday's shave I went back to the Dovo determined to get through 3 of my 4 passes I added something to my routine. I took out the alum block so I could keep my fingers dry and stretch my skin. The first two passes were amazing, no irritation, no blood and I took off more hair in 2 passes than I ever did before with a SR. I also completed the 3rd passes. The angles for this pass are really tough with a SR but I did it.... and there were consequences. A couple of weepers and some serious irritation. I finished the fourth pass with my Cobra. My closest SR shave to date but some serious razor burn from the 3rd pass. I guess it was to be expected, I feel great very confident on the first passes now. So despite the razor burn I feel like each week I am making progress.
This week two weekday shaves. I woke a little early Tuesday so I did 2 passes with the Easy Aces, smooth, no blood, no irritation. Last 2 passes with my ATT (H1), BBS with no irritation. I had some meetings so I did not want to risk the irritation and wanted to have BBS. Thursday I woke up 20 minutes early so I took advantage of the extra time to use my ugly razor. First two passes were great, smooth and no irritation so I went for the 3rd pass. I am getting better but still along way to go. I nicked myself under the nose and also irritation on my neck and chin. Clearly the 3rd pass requires more practice. I finished with my Cobra for an irritated DFS. Irritated but I did feel macho completing 3 passes again. Wednesday I used my ATT H1 to give my self a 'reference' shave. While my SR skills are improving I still have a way to go.
Saturday was my best shave ever with a straight. I used the Dovo and did 3 full passes and cleaned up with my Cobra for a DFS. No blood but a little irritation... but the least amount of irritation yet. Sunday I did 3 full passes with the Easy Aces and just a touch up with a DE. More irritation than Saturday and some weapers. I also nicked my my self under my nose. I was over confident given my Saturday success. Tuesday I did 3 passes with the Dovo and left it at that, no touch up or 4th pass.... well I did some touch ups with the Dovo. SAS just short of DFS but with irritation and some blood. Still I am getting better and feeling more in control of the razor. The weird thing is I am better with a straight on my chin. I am able to adjust the angle more than I can with a DE and I am getting better at it. I am more determined than ever.
I remember being where you are. At that point I locked my DE razors in the gun safe and forced myself to shave with a SR. I soon became very preficient
This is the Plus and Minus of using SR Everything about them is "Adjustable" Honing, Stropping, Angle, Pressure everything can be adjusted, the good side of this is that once you get it all together it will yield a very comfortable shave ... The bad side is that everything is adjustable so it takes a bit of trial and error to get it all together
That is a good idea, but I have just a regular safe. I have some big meetings this week and next week. Once they meetings are past I will increase the frequency of my SR shaves. I am trying different stropping routines and strops too. I am determined to find what works best for me. I like the challenge and as long as I make progress it increases my desire to keep trying. Thank you to everyone for encouragement and advice. I never thought I could use both hands but amazingly I am using both hands. I do enjoy the adjustability, customisability of SRs shaves. I wish I had found this years ago.
With the benefit of a long weekend I was able to get three more SR shaves in: Saturday I used the Easy Aces and did three passes with no DE clean up. SAS shave but with lots of irritation and 2 weepers still. I think I am pressing to hard and/or need to refresh the blade. Sunday was three passes with the Dovo and it felt smooth and no blood at all. If felt smooth but still some irritation but less than prior shaves. I have a date so I followed up with my Futur for a 4th pass and BBS. Monday I went with the Dovo again and did three passes and no DE clean up. Less irritation than ever before but still more stubble than I like. Definitely just SAS and not as good as Sunday (comparing before the DE clean up). It feels like my progress is stalled but on the other hand it seems to be improving my skill with a DE. Tuesday I used my 2011 R41 and got my first 3 pass BBS, I usually require a 4th pass for the BBS. It is not lasting as long as the my 4 pass BBS but it still a first. Maybe I just look for the positives to keep me moving forward with the straight. Starting next week I will post in the 30 day focus thread.
