First straight razor shave.I think I give up :P

[Cheb]

So I recently bought a straight razor. Watched a few videos for some tips first then gave it a go. I have to say every time I put that razor on my cheek I felt like I was going to cut myself. I just had no idea how hard I needed to press. So didn't really press at all, and as a result didn't really shave much. But worst of all was when I had to shave my neck and the left side of my face. I couldn't get comfortable at all. Especially my neck since the hair there grows upwards. So I didn't even attempt it. Not sure if I'm doing anything wrong but I don't know if I have the patience to shave with it again.

 

[Dacol]

it's a learning curve, you'll get better with practice! Don't give up too quick, start out shaving WTG and make sure your razor is properly honed!
Good luck

 

[BakerAndBadger]

The first time I tried I was shaking like a leaf. Not fear really but my muscles telling me I was about to cut my face off.
Minimum pressure is the key - just enough to keep the blade on the skin and not skip.
Don't try and go for a full shave straight off if you don't feel confident, start with cheeks then add parts of your face. Only you can decide how much you are happy to shave safely.
You will bleed, but unless you cut your ear off it'll heal. It may leave a faint mark in the skin but that doesn't matter - I keep telling myself it looks manly!
Most of all, don't give up straight away. If it doesn't work first couple of times then put it down for a few days and analyse what went wrong.
good luck and let us know when it starts to go well!

 

[DFSDAILY]

Quitting after only 1 shave? It takes a lot more determination and dedication than that. You need to do more research on all of the forums and watch more than just a few videos. I recommend not giving up as it'll be worth it in the end.

 

[jpcwon]

I don't think your 1st shave experience is that unusual, to be quite honest. I know that when I first started, I was thinking that I'd NEVER be able to shave with my left hand and I almost gave up. (I know people hate hearing this)....but it DOES get better, trust me!!

straight shaving is like driving a stick shift...totally weird at first, but you start to feel more comfortable as you go.....Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day as they say!!

 

[wherndon]

Don't give up. It takes some practice. I'm a newb too, but I actually look forward to my next shave.
As BakerAndBadger mentioned start off by practicing on just one area of your face, generally your cheek close to the sideburn is the smoothest, easiest place to learn. Practice that one spot until you get the angle and pressure that suits you. Then move on to other areas.

One thing you didn't mention is what kind of razor you bought, and whether it was honed/stropped before use. This could also have some bearing on your first shaving experience.


hope this helps,
Bil

 

[ladykate]

Wow... you actually got off to a great start. You now know which way your beard grows and where it will be tough and maybe not so tough to shave. Doing a 'dry run' with the straight is a good thing. Some offer that the best way to start is to shave with a DE (or cart) and then go over your face with the straight. That way you aren't going to get a stubble catch - which, if you are being tentative - is kinda unsettling.

Oh... and shaving once and giving up is not a good sign. You need to get some sand and go at this in increments. You will improve and be able to use the straight if you do your part. Undt, you vill like it...

 

[seattleshaver]

The way i look at it (for me) DE shaving is my standard shave and straight shaving is a hobby. If it's not fun for you or if you don't have the patience for it then you probably shouldn't do it.

If your razor is actually "shave ready" (it may not be) then it's more about the blade angle and less about the pressure (as it use very little pressure).

If your blade is sharp, just keep the spine of the blade fairly close to your face and try shaving the side of your face. That should be fairly easy and you should be a decent shave. If that isn't working then your blade probably isn't sharp and/or your blade angle is too great.

 

[indymtb]

I picked up the DE Safety Razor shaving quickly because it really required just understanding the concept of appropriate pressure and the right passes.

When I had my first straight razor shave, i thought I had thrown out 200 bucks (Blade, strop). The shave was not close at all and really wasn't comfortable. I am generally not a patient guy so I thought it would take a year. It took about 3 weeks before I had a shave that felt pretty good. From there, it has been steadily working on the trick spots including under the chin, the neck, etc. You really need to just day by day practice keeping the blade angled correctly, stretching your skin and how to start and stop your strokes. Also, a nice sharp blade is a big, big help.

I am down to around 12 minutes for a good, better than cartridge shave after about 4 months. I figure I have about another 4 months before it is a natural event. Sorry for writing a book about my experience but I thought the exact same thing at first. Now I really enjoy it and can get a good result.

 

[Doc226]

Dibs on his razor.



Come on don't give up after you have had at least 30-40 shaves. It takes about 100 to have everything click.

Did you ride a bike after your first try? How about throw a spiral? Stick to it.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

It is very easy to cut yourself with a straight - that is something that we all have to keep in mind. You have to maintain a high level of awareness and remember that each stroke is an act of will.
They hyper-focus required is zen-like and it is what attracts many people to straight shaving.
Everyone who shaves with a straight has been nicked but, unless someone bumps into you, nicks are never serious. With practice nicks rarely happen.
It took me two months before I got a presentable shave and three months before I got a DFS.
Start slow. Just do your side burns and finish with a DE. Over several shaves, as you develop confidence, expand to your chin and easy parts of the neck and upper lip.
Don't expect a BBS for at least five or six months. Just have fun and keep at it!

 

[Galengwath]

It takes time, as others have said. I would worry about you more if you felt comfortable the first time you put a straight to your neck. Being cautious for your first shave is definately better than overconfidence, which can result in lots of blood. Assuming your equipment is properly honed and in good order, it would be a shame for you to give it up after only one attempt. Of course, that's up to you, and if you really don't have the patience then maybe you'll be happier giving it up now. Of course, you'll probably wonder about just how amazing it would have been and you'll regret it until your dying day....

 

[Gamma]

The first time I put a straight to my face I gave myself a horrible gash that bled for a very long time.
I didn't know about pulling the skin taught until after that incident. I didn't belong to B&B then and I had no guidance to follow.

So - IMO - you did well with your first effort. Congrats!

Confidence comes slowly.
Try shaving small patches on your cheeks first. Lather one cheek, get the skin pulled taught, and take a moment or two and talk yourself through it.
Don't try to take on the whole shave all at once - take it one stroke at a time.
You might find it easier to start by shaving one pass with a DE first, then doing a few small short strokes on your face with the straight going in the same direction.

The 'feeling' of shaving with a straight is hard to describe with words.
That sensation will come only with practice.
Generally - no pressure is best to begin with, esp when you don't have the blade angles down.
Get used to the blade going over your face - watch both angles; heel/toe and edge/spine. Keep the spine close to the face and the blade as parallel to the area to be shaved as you can.
Avoid the tricky spots, and stay away from protrusions like your nose, ears, and lips - until you get a handle on things.

You can do it - take it slow and you'll get there.
Keep at it, and in a few weeks or months you'll be coaching someone on their first straight shave.

 

[tomjr]

hang in there and just shave your cheeks to start out. u will get better with practice.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

I don't think your 1st shave experience is that unusual, to be quite honest. I know that when I first started, I was thinking that I'd NEVER be able to shave with my left hand and I almost gave up. (I know people hate hearing this)....but it DOES get better, trust me!!

straight shaving is like driving a stick shift...totally weird at first, but you start to feel more comfortable as you go.....Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day as they say!!

I like the analogy of driving a stick. I thought of another one yesterday: telemark skiing. It's harder, and takes a whole new learning curve at something you thought you could already do, but the payoff is substantial. It's like you get closer to the essence of the pursuit. And like they say, "free your heels and your mind will follow." I have no idea what the translation of that is into shaving parlance, but there's gotta be one. Hope I get there.

 

[Cheb]

Thanks everyone. Some great advice here so I'll keep tryig for now and see how things go. I'm using one of those unseen straights from Larry's site. Forgot exactly what it is. Other than the bad shave a also tore my strop with the blade. I'm not a complete stranger to straights since until recently I've had my beard shaved with a straight at the barber. Until I got a DE a few months back. The DE shave has been great and I have yet to cut myself.

I'll try on just one side of my cheek for a while then. I think that's definitely a great idea. Thanks!

 

[jpcwon]

Thanks everyone. Some great advice here so I'll keep tryig for now and see how things go.

There ya go!!

People tend to want to take the path of least resistance; it's engrained in us. But Straight shaving, I can promise you, is TOTALLY worth the initial struggles...

 

[Toothpick]

I had a similar experience my first try. Feeling like you do is normal in my book. I think if you were to confidant on your first try you would indeed do damage. being cautious and avoiding the areas you are not comfortable with was a smart move. I have 3 shaves under my belt with a straight and still don't feel comfortable enough to shave my chin or use my left hand. I'm just taking baby steps with it. a little at a time. if it takes me a few months or a few years to achieve a DFS or BBS with my straight then that's just what it takes. I'm not trying to impress anyone or win a contest, i'm just trying to shave.

 

[ladykate]

Remember, a DFS or BBS is not really ever necessary. I shoot for them all the time but I am in tune with my face and sometimes, I just stop because I know I will be uncomfortable afterwards. Some folks won't get a BBS - ever. Not a big deal. If you can easily get a BBS with a DE, then your odds of getting a BBS with a straight are pretty good. Slow and easy wins the day. Right now, I probably get a BBS about once or twice a week and that is probably pushing it with my beard. But, like most, I still go for it occasionally. This is a fun journey. Relax and smell the ARKO.

 

[smalltank]

If I dont shave all the whiskera around my throat..they get itchy..I found a work around em just my slowly experimenting..time n patience can master any razor