1st week with a Str8

[Razrbrn]

For me the allure of shaving with a Str8 was the Zen like focus required/demanded by it, in some way it seemed like a natural extension of my pursuit of swordsmanship.
My initial goal was to cut some whiskers and not TOO much flesh, happily in the last 7 shaves there was only 2 tiny nicks and 1 weeper! I consider that a resounding success! The first couple days saw a mediocre shave and by the third day it was acceptable. Yesterday I achieved a DFS! SWMBO was impressed with the smoothness and even admitted that maybe I wasn't completely crazy using a str8.
THAT'S IT!! I'M HOOKED!!
So far so good but I'm still having trouble ATG, especially on the neck...it seems tough to get the razor moving and sometimes jumps? Any suggestions?
Thanks to all who offered help/support!!
As an aside....of all the forums I've been a member through the years B&B is by far the most welcoming...Your a great bunch!

 

[jkh]

I had one heck of a time getting the ATG pass down with a straight. It took me well over a month to get it right, so hang in there - it'll come. Make sure you have the skin stretched good and tight and swivel your head to the left of right, if need be, to aid with the stretching of the skin/making a flat surface on the neck. Lower that angle! I literally lay the spine and edge of the razor on my skin to go ATG on the neck. Of course, a nice keen razor helps too

 

[Chimensch]

I had one heck of a time getting the ATG pass down with a straight. It took me well over a month to get it right, so hang in there - it'll come. Make sure you have the skin stretched good and tight and swivel your head to the left of right, if need be, to aid with the stretching of the skin/making a flat surface on the neck. Lower that angle! I literally lay the spine and edge of the razor on my skin to go ATG on the neck. Of course, a nice keen razor helps too

+1 Good stretching, including chin pointed at the ceiling and pulling the skin down, is key. Also laying the razor flat is very good advice. Oh, and a very light touch.

 

[chfair]

skipping and stopping happened to me all the time when i started and tried ATG passes. a shallow angle helps and just being a bit more confident about it made me be more "assertive" about my passes, things started to get better at that point.

 

[jkh]

skipping and stopping happened to me all the time when i started and tried ATG passes. a shallow angle helps and just being a bit more confident about it made me be more "assertive" about my passes, things started to get better at that point.

This is an excellent point. A confident stroke is key, which can only be acquired through practice and experience. As Kenny Rodgers sang, "you gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em."

 

[ambrose]

congrats !!