So last night was my first ever straight razor shave - pits, legs, and brazilian! The whole sha-bang. It went beautifully, not even a nick. Should I feel good that it went so well, or should I worry about beginners luck?
Welcome to "The Den Merlee!" I don't know about beginners luck with "The whole sha-bang" but congrats on being braver than I am. Just be careful and welcome to the best Hobby going. Oh watch out for the Acquisition Disorders (AD) that will surely follow. You will find out that with all the great brushes, razors and soaps/creams out there.....oh, you'll find out !
Thanks for the welcome! I think I missed the part where straight razors equal fear, and approached it like a new tool I needed to learn how to use. Which brings me to my second question: wipe with towel, or don't wipe with towel? Does wiping between strokes damage the edge?
Way to go! :wave: Welcome to TSD! Sounds like you're a natural. In any form of traditional wet shaving you have to maintain your concentration & guard against complacency, as that's when we get bitten You're in great company. Our fearless leader Queen of Blades (who also makes the TSD products) uses straights. Mr. ohpaos & I haven't ventured into traditional straights yet, but plan to get a hone & strop at some point. He's in a shavette period & I'm fascinated w/ injectors & single edge razors right now. What's your set up for gear? We love pics! Ash
Welcome to the Den. We know you'll fit right in. So grab yourself a comfy chair, and give our threads a spin! Burma Shave
to TSD Merlee........I hope you enjoy it here.... On your first straight shave!! "EVERYTHING" done with a straight,"YOUR" a brave woman... You should feel "VERY" happy and a little proud it went so well..Just realize you were "on your toes" so to speak with the first shave and as you get more comfortable with this type of shaving, thats when the nicks may start.... Don't worry about it though the first time you give yourself a really good nick "You'll Remember it"......
I have to admit - I am enjoying the small sense of pride in my success, although success is relative. I am hoping to use straight razors for the rest of my life and pass along my first straight to my daughter.
Welcome to TSD! I don't know much about straights but I get a straight shave from a old barber about once a year. He wipes the blade on a small flexible silicone or rubber bowl in between strokes.
Congratulations on a wonderful journey. I love straight razor shaving. You indeed are a natural. The woman's touch. We men have to keep telling ourselves, "no pressure", "no pressure", but still try to scrape those whiskers off. I think women have more patience and finesse. Straights are better for the skin than DE's or SE's, I think...at least for the face. I don't know how you did the arm pit passes. Keep us posted on your shaving experiences.
Wow! Welcome! The word "ballsy" comes to mind but since you're a lady perhaps inappropriate. I got a vasectomy last week which required me to manscape . I had done that in the past but only with a DE (and I don't have a straight yet). On the other hand, maybe I could've gotten the procedure done "at home" had I used a straight!
