Critique my straight shave video!

[Cartier]

Hey guys,
I made a straight shave video for my step father who is interested in straight shaving. I then decided to just post it on Facebook for some of my friends as they are interested as well. I am always looking for constructive criticism in order to improve. I'm looking for it on all angles here. My shave, the video, the instructions, and so on. If you could have changed anything, what would it be?

Do be aware, I've only shaved with a straight maybe 10 - 15 times. Still getting my technique down but I have the basics. Looking for your advice. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBeJMpTIJsU&hd=1

 

[Marco]

Very good job, Sir. Just one lathering tip for you: next time try rolling your lips inwards and lather on top, this way you won't need to clean the lips from the lather afterwards.

 

[Attila]

Very good job, Sir. Just one lathering tip for you: next time try rolling your lips inwards and lather on top, this way you won't need to clean the lips from the lather afterwards.

That is a great tip! Thanks Marco.

 

[Cartier]

Very good job, Sir. Just one lathering tip for you: next time try rolling your lips inwards and lather on top, this way you won't need to clean the lips from the lather afterwards.

I tried, Haha. As you can see I didn't do a very good job. I'll see if I can't roll them in farther next time. Thanks for checking out the video and providing feedback!

 

[Shave_Rat]

Looks like a pretty solid start on a technique, especially for only having 10 shaves in at the time. Don't stress too much on grips and which hand. If it's the most comfortable grip to use for a spot, and provides the results, use it.

I wish my stubble and growth directions would allow a one pass and touch up. lol That would only knock me back to 5 o'clock shadow range.

 

[Doc226]

Nice job. I would say don't go over the same area more than once, you seem to go over the same area at least 5-6 times. This can lead to irritation.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Nice job. I would say don't go over the same area more than once, you seem to go over the same area at least 5-6 times. This can lead to irritation.

I actually do much the same thing, on a daily basis. Some of us are lucky enough we can manage and not get irritation. I've tried to break the habit, but then I figured the shave quality was working, no reason for me to change it up.

 

[Cartier]

Looks like a pretty solid start on a technique, especially for only having 10 shaves in at the time. Don't stress too much on grips and which hand. If it's the most comfortable grip to use for a spot, and provides the results, use it.

I wish my stubble and growth directions would allow a one pass and touch up. lol That would only knock me back to 5 o'clock shadow range.

Yeah, for now I tend to go for a CCS. I'm not looking to chase the BBS. I'll save that for another time.

Nice job. I would say don't go over the same area more than once, you seem to go over the same area at least 5-6 times. This can lead to irritation.

Ahhh, good point. I need to quit dawdling and move on. Thanks!

I actually do much the same thing, on a daily basis. Some of us are lucky enough we can manage and not get irritation. I've tried to break the habit, but then I figured the shave quality was working, no reason for me to change it up.

Yeah, I hadn't really noticed it. Perhaps if I cut that out I will have to do a second pass. I guess it is time to test it out..... for science!

 

[Doc226]

Here is my poorly shot shave video

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/349048-Shaving-Video?highlight=

 

[jrp316]

Very good job, Sir. Just one lathering tip for you: next time try rolling your lips inwards and lather on top, this way you won't need to clean the lips from the lather afterwards.

Proraso...the lather of kings. That was all I needed to see .

One more lathering tip: when you lather on the moustache area, take two fingers and press downward on the knot when you go across. That way, you don't get lather up your nose and have a sneezing attack. Learn from my fail. Proraso lather looks funny sprayed all over the mirror.

When you rinsed off your razor, I heard water sloshing but didn't hear the tap running. I wouldn't recommend rinsing in the sink water. It may never happen to you, but it's a good way to ding or chip your razor if it hits the sink bowl. I would instead recommend wiping it off on a sponge or rinsing under the tap (edge down always). As far as your shave technique itself, other than going over the same areas repeatedly in some places, I saw nothing worth writing about. Sounds like you're pretty well getting it down pat.

 

[drmatt357]

Well done for a beginner
if I were to add my 2 cents, I would keep the "with the grain" ipsilateral or right side of face with right hand and vice versa. At 5:25 you crossed over to do your left side of the neck with your right hand. If your going to do multiple passes,it's good to stay consistent. Across the grain and against the grain are done contra lateral.

 

[global_dev]

Nice job. It looks like you used a decent amount of pressure in some areas and quite a lot of strokes. Is the edge really sharp? I think I saw you using the whole edge and I like to engage the whole edge, it just feels great.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Well done for a beginner
if I were to add my 2 cents, I would keep the "with the grain" ipsilateral or right side of face with right hand and vice versa. At 5:25 you crossed over to do your left side of the neck with your right hand. If your going to do multiple passes,it's good to stay consistent. Across the grain and against the grain are done contra lateral.

I don't think it's as simple as saying "these passes are done this way". I don't think there is any right or wrong way to grip or do a pass. Some are more common amongst the straight razor users, but that doesn't mean its the "right way", or the only way. In order for me to get a safe and comfortable grip to do XTG/ATG on my neck, I cross my hands left to right and such. If they routine and grips you are using are working, no reason to feel a need to do it any other way. If one wants to experiment with alternative technique, I can get that, of course.