1st Shave, I Expected Worse

[Jfunk]

Well today was the day. I went to bed early last night so I would be sharp in the morning. However, nerves got the best of me and I had trouble falling asleep. I was up at 4:30 this morning and couldn't fall back so I got up and shaved.

My plan was to only do a WTG pass on my cheeks. The first thing I noticed was that I couldn't see my face very well. In the videos it looks like the shaver is looking over the razor to start cutting his sideburns. There was no way in the world I could do this unless my sideburns grew about an inch. I had to look between may face and razor and get things lined up. Lots of pulling on the right cheek, not painful but not comfortable either. The left cheek with the razor in my left hand went better for some reason (I'm right handed). At this point it seemed silly not to finish up the shave so I went ahead and did my neck as well. Missed some spots and had trouble getting things right on the left side of my neck. I was cut free and feeling pretty good about things so far so I did a second WTG pass. This was pushing it. I got some razor burn and a small weeper on the left hollow of my neck (this is going to be my problem area, I can feel it). I then cleaned and stropped the razor with no damage to my strop.

I can't say it was a great or even a fun shave. But I can't wait to try again...

 

[life2short1971]

Great job! Sounds like it went well for you!

 

[Gustav]

Congratulations, on getting started! You seem to have done very well. Do not worry too much about the not being able to see what you are doing, after a while you will develop a feeling on where to put the blade and then start shaving.

Funnily enough it is indeed sometimes easier to shave with the non dominant hand because you automatically do not apply as much pressure and therefore you get a better shave.

Better shaves will come with time, the important thing is to take your time and never push yourself to do something that does not feel right.

 

[Zephyr]

Congrats on a well done first shave, from now on it only gets better!

 

[johnmrson]

Congrats. Try and stick with a single WTG pass for a while. Play around with the angle of the blade. That's more than likely why some strokes tugged and others didn't. It'll come with a little bit of time.

 

[rockviper]

Welcome to the (learners) club! There's a slew of us all in the same boat.

 

[MaritimeFanatic]

Congrats on your first step down the yellow-brick road towards shaving nirvana!

 

[Wid]

Sounds like a successful first shave, congrats.

 

[grump]

Congrats on shave one, your technique will get better each time.

If you stick with it, soon you will be guiding the razor across your face like it is second nature.

Have fun and enjoy your shaves.

 

[Luc]

Excellent work!!

 

[California Cajun]

Well today was the day. I went to bed early last night so I would be sharp in the morning. However, nerves got the best of me and I had trouble falling asleep. I was up at 4:30 this morning and couldn't fall back so I got up and shaved.

My plan was to only do a WTG pass on my cheeks. The first thing I noticed was that I couldn't see my face very well. In the videos it looks like the shaver is looking over the razor to start cutting his sideburns. There was no way in the world I could do this unless my sideburns grew about an inch. I had to look between may face and razor and get things lined up. Lots of pulling on the right cheek, not painful but not comfortable either. The left cheek with the razor in my left hand went better for some reason (I'm right handed). At this point it seemed silly not to finish up the shave so I went ahead and did my neck as well. Missed some spots and had trouble getting things right on the left side of my neck. I was cut free and feeling pretty good about things so far so I did a second WTG pass. This was pushing it. I got some razor burn and a small weeper on the left hollow of my neck (this is going to be my problem area, I can feel it). I then cleaned and stropped the razor with no damage to my strop.

I can't say it was a great or even a fun shave. But I can't wait to try again...

It was a great first shave! Sounded a whole lot better than my first. It gets better, easier, and more comfortable.

 

[Easttexasman]

Wow,you had the exact same experience as me.I have 2 shaves in right now and will try my 3rd tomorrow,if I have time.
I am sure it will get easier,at least that is what everyone says.

Paul

 

[Fletch]

Congrats!! I'm fairly new to straight shaving myself but I can promise you it gets better. I almost decided after my first one that it's nothing all that exciting and will probably stick with my DE and SE razors. Then after a few more times and learning from some folks on here I'm really enjoying it. It's getting to the point I almost wish I didn't load up on so many different kinds of DE's because I'd have more money to buy straights.