Cool! Just go slow, take your time, and pay attention to what you're doing. You'll be fine! And remember, we're here to help if you have any questions.
Exciting time! Remember, inhale, hold, exhale, hold, repeat, etc. Start with just your cheeks and a really flat angle until you get the feel for the blade. It won't be good at first, but don't rush and you won't scar yourself. Oh, and pictures!
using a feather light stroke is important - many people myself inckuded still use too much oressure at times. Sometimes when I do it, I stop myself and say, you frickn dummy It will be a long learning curve but you can do it
It took me several weeks of daily straight shaves before I achieved anything resembling a 'good shave.' Awkward, slow, uncomfortable. 'Have patience!' —I was often told by experienced straight shavers. It's true. Patience and diligence paid off big time with some of the best shaving experiences I've ever had came with the use of a straight razor. It simply requires some time....
Pictures of the new razor. We need details, what is it? This forum is my fix for the ADs I can't afford to indulge. I learned to shave on a straight because my Grandfather decided a real man should know how to shave with one. Light touch, go slow and pay attention to the sound of the blade. it can tell you more about your angle then your eyes can.
And remember, just like Luke Skywalker, it's best to just do it blindfolded or with your eyes closed in a dark room. Trust your instinct and feel. Just keep a phone nearby for 911............................ @OTbowhunterBW , of course I am kidding! Listen to what those above have said and remember just like a DE/SE, little to no pressure. Even if all you do are your sideburns and cheeks, just get comfortable with it. I have maybe 20-30 under my belt and I am still learning EACH time
I find like The5-0 stated, don't watch yourself too closely in the mirror. It is about feel and proper blade angle and going slow at first until you commit shaving with a straight to muscle memory! Enjoy and post your results!
It was awesome for the first time, not as close as I would like but I thought it was good for the first time. The razor is better than I thought it would be pics to come I think I want shave cream instead of soap though, I couldn't get the lather thick
Congrats on your first shave with a straight! You might consider doing a focus or a rule, where you commit to lock down with certain gear and products for 30 days. It helps eliminate changing too many things at once, and will help you focus on improving your skills. I am currently in my 8th consecutive month of doing focuses. Its a long read, but check out the thread here. There are several Straight Razor guys on there.
Getting a great usable lather is also a art too! You will also get that with time doing this. I still sometimes either get it too dry or too wet and have to adjust by either adding more water or loading the brush as they say or draining off some moisture and continuing to swirl with the brush to get that right lather consistency. So with that said I say take it slow and watch some videos on this subject matter on Youtube as well. There are some good ones and then there are some folks that just like being on Youtube......LOL! You will figure out which are best and know what they are doing. Good Luck! if you do go with a shave cream in a can I like Nivea best. I keep it on hand for my, wait for it because it is blasphemy here, my Norelco 9300 series electric! In the winter I sometimes grow a well kept beard so I use a electric sometimes. But the other day I did not have the time to str8 shave so I lathered up and used the Norelco which is a great electric..............and it did not shave anywhere as close as a str8!
One of the mistakes I made when getting into this was expecting the lather I saw on Youtube. Now you can get a nice thick lather, but usually it always looks like more in videos and pictures versus in person. As long as it's slick you're good. A good soap that I found hard to mess up with water ratio was Caties Bubbles, you might want to give it a try it's pretty slick.
I think bed bath and beyond or bath and body works sell c.o. bigelow, I can't remember which one it is. I order all my stuff since it's easier than hunting for it around town.
Lessons in 2nd shave, A.) Stropping not hard B.) Face stretching is essential C.) Face prep is also essential D.) once you figure out how to get a thick lather, don't go overboard E.) if I ever master it SR shaving is better and fun
