First Attempt at Using Straight

[MntnMan62]

I've been wet shaving most of my life ever since I ditched the electric razor my father gave me as a teen. But that has been with carts and canned foaming goo. For Christmas 2015 my wife gave me a shaving brush and 4 months later I was trying out a double edge. No more carts unless I'm traveling and carrying on bags. So now I've decided to try out straight razors. I bought a Gold Dollar professionally honed by Life2short and decided this morning would be the day.

I used some pre-shave oil, Colonel Conk Almond soap (first time), whipped up a nice lather and gave it a go. Very tentative at first. I only did my cheeks for this attempt and finished everything else with a double edge. I found the effort somewhat cumbersome in terms of getting my hand positioned so it didn't feel wrong. I pulled my skin from above the cheek and went WTG for the first pass. I went XTG for the second pass and decided not to attempt ATG until I got a little more practice. I used short strokes and listened to the razor. Lots of feedback. Not sure if that is normal but assume it is. As long as I have the time, I'm going to try again for my next shave. I can't say I'm taking right to it but I'm going to give this a chance. After the shave I stroped the bade with 50 strokes on each side.

I don't think I'll really be able to judge my effort until I've only used the straight. If anyone has any suggestions based upon this short report, I'm all ears.

 

[sfeile]

Sounds like you are starting out right. Easy spots first and slowly work into the rest of it. It won't come to you overnight. I've been doing it for 2 years and there is still an occasional day that things don't seem to go right and I just put it down mid shave and pick up my DE. (I also have ADHD and know when I am getting off track or frustrated it's just time to put it down.)
When you get it figured out, it is worth it, just don't rush it. Stick with it and welcome to the club!

 

[dmatcuk]

It sounds like a good first go. I have never used a Gold Dollar, but I assume they are hollow ground, which would give feedback noise as you shave. That is a good thing. Finding the right grip takes some trial and error, but once you figure out what is comfortable and get used to that it is easy from there. You seem to be taking a good approach. Taking your time is always advisable during the beginning. Just watch your angle and your lather. A little more water in the lather is not a bad thing compared to what you are used to with a DE. As long as you are not getting tugging while shaving though you should be ok.

 

[Doc4]

Sounds good.

Keep at it, and make slow, steady progress on how well you shave and what parts of your face you tackle with the straight.

 

[Lmarkow]

Excellent! Just shave where you're comfortable, finish up with a DE, etc. I bet you'll find you leave the training wheels behind in no time!

 

[M14Shooter]

Sounds like a great start.It take time to develop muscle memory.Just take your time.Use no pressure and let the weight of the razor do the work.Watch your angle on the blade . There is a sweet spot were the blade will cut very well if it honed properly.

 

[RayClem]

Most folks only attempt one WTG pass on their cheeks for their first shave with a straight. It sounds like you did that an more. Congratulations!.

When you first start, manipulating a razor feels awkward, even if you only use one hand. Keep at it little by little until you feel comfortable with one hand and the repeat the learning process with the alternate hand. One day, you will feel confident using either hand.

Although I can shave WTG and ATG with either hand, I still have difficulty on the XTG pass, particularly on my jawline and chin. I still use a DE for my cleanup pass. One day, I might be able to do all three passes with the straight, but as long as I get a close, comfortable shave, I do not care which tools are used in getting there.

 

[Steve56]

Congratulations!

Cheers, Steve

 

[MntnMan62]

Most folks only attempt one WTG pass on their cheeks for their first shave with a straight. It sounds like you did that an more. Congratulations!.

When you first start, manipulating a razor feels awkward, even if you only use one hand. Keep at it little by little until you feel comfortable with one hand and the repeat the learning process with the alternate hand. One day, you will feel confident using either hand.

Although I can shave WTG and ATG with either hand, I still have difficulty on the XTG pass, particularly on my jawline and chin. I still use a DE for my cleanup pass. One day, I might be able to do all three passes with the straight, but as long as I get a close, comfortable shave, I do not care which tools are used in getting there.

Thanks. I feel good about doing a WTG and XTG for the fist attempt. Interestingly enough I found the second pass XTG to feel better meaning I felt like the razor was working better than the first pass. It cut better if that makes any sense. I assume it means I focused more on the angle. And I did use both hands for both passes. Right hand for right side and left hand for the left side. Did I do that right or should it be the other way around?

 

[6Cuda6]

Great job!!! As others have said just take your time, concentrate and keep at it a little at time.....before you know it youll be shaving only with the straight....this is a never ending pursuit but once it all comes together youll know and the shave will be incredible.

 

[Steve56]

You're doing great, don't worry about which hand shaves which side. People seem to do it both ways.

Relax as soon as you can and enjoy! You will find that a good straight razor shave is better than any other shave.

If you need a re-hone on your razor, I would be glad to help.

Cheers, Steve

 

[Seraphim]

Good first start!


I recommend going out and buying another straight, or two, or perhaps more, while waiting for your whiskers to grow in for your next shave.

One thing is for certain, sooner or later you will be getting more straights, so you might as well get in with it, like the rest of us!

 

[Antique Hoosier]

It sounds like you are off to a very good start. Take your time and commit to the process of learning. Once you think you have it down to precision, don't let your guard down...I am going on 10 years and thousands of straight razor shaves and yet I had my third worst cut about 3 weeks ago. Be alert!

 

[MntnMan62]

Y

If you need a re-hone on your razor, I would be glad to help.

Cheers, Steve

Thanks Steve. Life2short gave me lifetime honing on the Gold Dollar when I bought it. I imagine that if I take to this new aspect of shaving, I'll be replacing the Gold Dollar with a nice new straight, a vintage straight and maybe a custom straight razor.

 

[MntnMan62]

Good first start!


I recommend going out and buying another straight, or two, or perhaps more, while waiting for your whiskers to grow in for your next shave.

One thing is for certain, sooner or later you will be getting more straights, so you might as well get in with it, like the rest of us!

You must have heard about my DE RAD. If this works I'll definitely spring for a decent razor and knowing me, I won't stop at one. I think a new quality razor, a vintage and a custom would be sufficient. Don't ya think?

 

[RayClem]

Thanks. I feel good about doing a WTG and XTG for the fist attempt. Interestingly enough I found the second pass XTG to feel better meaning I felt like the razor was working better than the first pass. It cut better if that makes any sense. I assume it means I focused more on the angle. And I did use both hands for both passes. Right hand for right side and left hand for the left side. Did I do that right or should it be the other way around?

Generally, it is easier to shave WTG by using the hand on the corresponding side of the face. However, when doing ATG, I find it easier to use the opposite hand. There are no rules. If it works for you, you are doing it right. If it feels uncomfortable, try something else, or keep trying until it does feel comfortable.

Concerning RAD. Back in the "old days" meaning the 18th and 19th centuries, only the wealthy could afford multiple razor. Most men shaved every day with the same razor. Perhaps they were lucky enough to have two so they could have a spare when they left their first razor with the barber for honing. Today, most folks shave with straight razors as a hobby, so collecting razors, hones, strops, brushes, soaps and aftershaves is all part of the fun. You are only limited by your storage space and your wallet. While you might consider a new production razor, a vintage, and a custom razor to be sufficient now, if you stick with this hobby long enough, your collection will become far larger. The only way to avoid being bit by multiple "acquisition disorders" is to stay away from shaving forums, shaving web sites, eBay auctions, etc. But then you would be missing all the fun.

 

[MntnMan62]

Generally, it is easier to shave WTG by using the hand on the corresponding side of the face. However, when doing ATG, I find it easier to use the opposite hand. There are no rules. If it works for you, you are doing it right. If it feels uncomfortable, try something else, or keep trying until it does feel comfortable.

Concerning RAD. Back in the "old days" meaning the 18th and 19th centuries, only the wealthy could afford multiple razor. Most men shaved every day with the same razor. Perhaps they were lucky enough to have two so they could have a spare when they left their first razor with the barber for honing. Today, most folks shave with straight razors as a hobby, so collecting razors, hones, strops, brushes, soaps and aftershaves is all part of the fun. You are only limited by your storage space and your wallet. While you might consider a new production razor, a vintage, and a custom razor to be sufficient now, if you stick with this hobby long enough, your collection will become far larger. The only way to avoid being bit by multiple "acquisition disorders" is to stay away from shaving forums, shaving web sites, eBay auctions, etc. But then you would be missing all the fun.

Well, too late for that. I've only been shaving with a brush and double edge for a year. I have amassed 21 double edge razors, both modern and vintage, 12 brushes (5 badger, 3 boar and 4 synthetic), 5 lather bowls, 12 creams, 2 soaps, 8 aftershaves, 3 balms and well over 200 DE blades. So I guess the writing is on the wall that if I like shaving with a straight, a new RAD affliction will commence. And after I said I would only need a modern straight, a vintage and a custom, I realized that there are different blade shapes and sizes and all sorts of different scales. At that point I knew I would eat my words. Thanks for pointing that out for me.

 

[Steve56]

I have amassed 21 double edge razors, both modern and vintage, 12 brushes (5 badger, 3 boar and 4 synthetic), 5 lather bowls, 12 creams, 2 soaps, 8 aftershaves, 3 balms and well over 200 DE blades. So I guess the writing is on the wall that if I like shaving with a straight, a new RAD affliction will commence.

Very well done sir! Check out the straight razor porn here:

Straight Razors pictures? Look in here

Cheers, Steve

 

[MntnMan62]

Steve, I have to say that if I could get this razor, this is what I would get as my wet dream of a straight razor. I can't remember the guy who makes it but I remember he had a price of something like $1,500 on it. If I had the money, I'd go for it. I'm drooling as I type this post. I should add that it is this razor that got me thinking seriously about trying a straight and figured I'd spend a small amount for the Life2short1971 Gold Dollar to see if it is for me. I think after the first shave that it will be but I don't want to jump to any early conclusions. But I love straight razor porn. It is so much better than double edge razor porn. DEs just can't compete with all those custom made scales. <=====Gazes off into the distance with a glazed look in his eye...............

 

[6Cuda6]

I think that could be one of Jacob Ray's customs....

Steve, I have to say that if I could get this razor, this is what I would get as my wet dream of a straight razor. I can't remember the guy who makes it but I remember he had a price of something like $1,500 on it. If I had the money, I'd go for it. I'm drooling as I type this post. I should add that it is this razor that got me thinking seriously about trying a straight and figured I'd spend a small amount for the Life2short1971 Gold Dollar to see if it is for me. I think after the first shave that it will be but I don't want to jump to any early conclusions. But I love straight razor porn. It is so much better than double edge razor porn. DEs just can't compete with all those custom made scales. <=====Gazes off into the distance with a glazed look in his eye...............

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