I need some encouragement. . .

[Pinski]

This was my fourth morning for straight shaving. I'm not exactly patient when it comes to the learning curve. My philosophy of shaving is if I put in the effort to get my blade wet and lather up, I'm gonna shave my whole face. I have never felt like shaving square inches of my face at a time and finishing the rest with a DE.

So morning 4: up to this point, I've already done a full WTG pass on every morning. Now I wanted to try out a WTG - ATG combo. Yeah, that didn't go so well. I started with the neck, which really got my blood pumping. It started smooth and delightful and about an inch up, the blade just stopped. Wouldn't go any further.

So I pressed down as hard as I could and just went for BBS. . .

Just kidding. That's what I would have done if I didn't already read your guys' thoughts on common sense. When the razor wasn't going anywhere and I started to feel uncomfortable with continuing I just decided to do another WTG and try to get ATG in any spot possible. I got an interesting shave. Terrible burn with visible stubble. It reminded me EXACTLY of a first day shaving with an Electric Razor.

So far, because I've been into straight shaving, I've been called a nerd, an old man (I'm 21), and a creep.

Today I was walking through Target asking everyone where the Mineral Oil was and then got the surprise of my life when someone handed me a big white bottle with the words "LUBRICANT LAXATIVE" on it. I audibly said, "What the crap?", looked on the back, and sure enough, 99.9% mineral oil. Everyone smiled and laughed, and I got out of there as quick as I could.

So to make a long story short, I've taken a serious self esteem hit since I've started shaving with a straight. I hope sometime soon I can get some great results so when someone else says, "Why in the world are you into that?" I can quickly reply,

"Feel my face... BOOM! That's why."

Will that day ever come????

 

[Luc]

At 4 shaves in, it's not much.

I don't see that you cut yourself, which is good!

Try to go XTG before ATG... The learning curve is there, some do it quickly and some do it slow (like me). It took me around 30 shaves before I got a DFS. You need to keep at it and be patient, that's the only way.

 

[luvmysuper]

It will indeed.
But not after 4 shaves, and probably not after 4 times that many.
It is a very steep learning curve and there are so many variables that unfortunately it just takes time to master it.
Try not to talk about it so much (I know that is hard to do) until you are getting better results.
The great Masters like Da Vinci and Michealangelo didn't show off the stick figures they started with and ask people what they thought!
Keep at it, the person you must please is yourself, not anyone else.
What they say and what they do is their problem.
You gonna worry about something said by someone who uses a 5 bladed money draining monstrosity and a can of aerosol goo? What is their opinion worth to you really?
By the way, Baby Oil is mineral oil, and there is no negative connotation to buying it.
Smells better too.

 

[DavyRay]

...
I'm not exactly patient when it comes to the learning curve.

We're talking straight razors here.

So far, because I've been into straight shaving, I've been called a nerd, an old man (I'm 21), and a creep.

Four days, and three cutting comments. Your average is lousy.

On a positive note, try rinsing your face completely after the first pass. Use your hands to note the stubble. Rub it several ways to see which way it is leaning. You can't do WTG or ATG until you know which way the grain is. Your beard may grow all sorts of directions.

 

[steveclarkus]

Just go with the flow and don't try for a perfect shave. The perfect shave will come. The razor is a good teacher. I started with a DE when I was fifteen or sixteen years old and stupid but over the past forty five years have gotten pretty good at it.

When it starts to hurt, stop and go back to what you were doing when it last felt good.

Wiki has a section on shaving where you will likely find some worthy tips.

Just keep at it because eventually it becomes quite pleasurable.

 

[Defend Tacoma]

Some great advice here. Definately keep at it, if it seems fun, or an interesting challenge. Don't let the naysayers get you down!

Who are you telling about your straight shaving to get those comments? I guess because I'm married, I can talk my wife's ear off without too much fear of repercussion. I don't chitty- chat too much with strangers about my grooming habits. I can see the allure however, as for many, especially around these parts shaving doubles as a grooming habit and a hobby!

I enjoyed reading your post, keep asking questions, we'll do our best to help ya.

 

[Pinski]

Yeah I had no cuts. I'm slightly proud of that.

And it's just hard not to show of a straight razor when you have friends over. Especially when you're having fun with a such a unique hobby/necessity.

luvmysuper mentioned the variables of straight shaving adding to the difficulty of it all. I'm just now realizing how that is true. This is more than just an art, like I've heard it referred to here on the board so many times. I would call it a science.

Anyway, thanks for the kind, and at times sarcastic, words. I'll keep giving it a go. Maybe one day, just one day, I'll be good at this.

 

[kg4ghn]

It takes a while.

I started straight shaving in march and just got my first BBS with a straight last week. I was getting good results before, but that one shave everything just went exactly right. Now to get that at least semi-consistently and it's all good. It is still a lot of fun shaving with a straight to me. I like the experience.

 

[Stefan73]

First off you may be having some issues like me.
I started using an antique strait from an antique store (oh yes I did), and then a new Solingen Bismark (I love that blade). I just now learned about honing, prepping, maintaining these blades!! I stroped the blades but never honed so there might be some issues there.

So what blade are you using? Is it shave ready?
Have you watched to tutorial on this site?

Now, you probably don't need to brag about your shaving habits. This is a personal thing! You wouldn't brag about shaving with a bic razor would you? So why with a strait? Shaving is a given almost like brushing your teeth, you don't need to tell the world if you brush with a stick or whatever! It is personal and probably should stay that way unless someone asks or that specific topic comes up.
Just my .02 on the issue (also remember your in Cali, very liberal and a lot of people who are scared of knives, guns and anything that represent or might be important to a man).

Keep working at it and good luck!!!

 

[Gustav]

IMHO, ATG passes are far to aggressive at your level but you might want to try XTG. I also tried doing ATG in the beginning and ended up looking as if I had installed venetian blinds on my neck.

There are different ways of doing XTG passes but on the face I find that shaving your left cheek, from ear to mouth, using your right hand to be the simplest and probably safest. You can also shave your right cheek with your right hand going from mouth to ear but I am always afraid I am somehow going to skip and crash my razor into my ear.

Generally speaking and as others have pointed out, 4 shaves is not a lot. I had my first moderately good shave around the 8th or 9th. Keep going you will get the hang of it and when you start getting the gist of it you will relax and progress will be more consistent. I was my own enemy in the beginning, trying too hard to achieve something which just was not possible at the time.

The fact that it is difficult to talk about this stuff with others is just something you will have to get used to. I have also tried talking about it with the chaps at work but I only get blank stares, bemused comments or derision. I do not know anybody in my immediate vicinity who uses str8ts. When you feel like talking about it, just head for this forum.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Pinksi,

You're getting some really good advice here from one Newb to another in the str8 world...you want encouragement this is it brother!!!

Try to go XTG before ATG... The learning curve is there, some do it quickly and some do it slow (like me). It took me around 30 shaves before I got a DFS. You need to keep at it and be patient, that's the only way.

It will indeed.
But not after 4 shaves, and probably not after 4 times that many.
It is a very steep learning curve and there are so many variables that unfortunately it just takes time to master it.

.....You gonna worry about something said by someone who uses a 5 bladed money draining monstrosity and a can of aerosol goo? What is their opinion worth to you really?
By the way, Baby Oil is mineral oil, and there is no negative connotation to buying it.
Smells better too.

On a positive note, try rinsing your face completely after the first pass. Use your hands to note the stubble. Rub it several ways to see which way it is leaning. You can't do WTG or ATG until you know which way the grain is. Your beard may grow all sorts of directions.vv

Wiki has a section on shaving where you will likely find some worthy tips.

IMHO, ATG passes are far to aggressive at your level but you might want to try XTG. I also tried doing ATG in the beginning and ended up looking as if I had installed venetian blinds on my neck.

I wish I had this kind of advice when I started....oh wait....I did!!!

Look man...you said you're not a patient person. You need to dig deep and find some patience otherwise you're going to get disgusted before you get results. Took me 5 months to get where I wasn't cutting myself, had irritation etc and I was finally getting really quality consistent shaves.

Is it still easier to shave with a DE for me? Yes. Will I continue to str8 shave until I master it?....Yes

If this is something you want...you will be able to persevere.

Best of luck and keep posting!!!

 

[Thebigspendur]

Unless your one of the lucky few who seem to pick up the skill very quickly having an attitude your not patient at the learning curve has sown the seeds of failure.

You need to change your attitude first and foremost.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Did you go straight from an electric razor to a straight? Probably a bad idea, you're overloading yourself trying to learn too many things at once -

1. Lather creation
2. Beard growth / Multi pass shave techniques
3. Pressure + angle
4. Stropping

Screw any one of these up and the entire shave is messed up, leaving you bloody and razorburned for days. And, oh yes, as a newbie you're guaranteed to screw at least one of these up every time for the first few weeks.

Might be better to focus on #1 and #2 with a disposable or a cartidge, and only move onto straights when you're completely comfortable with the rest of the process.

 

[Seraphim]

Sounds like you may need a sharper razor.

I was called a nerd, creep and wierdo as well. But that was long before I took up straight shaving!

 

[Pinski]

I think the few who've mentioned it are right. I do need to be more patient. What I lack in patience, though, I make up in with being plain ol' stubborn. I just told a fellow B&Ber that as long as I'm getting presentable shaves in the morning, which I am, I'll stick with straights. Despite my face feeling like it's melting after I roll on some alum. (Don't worry, the pain only lasts a few minutes). Maybe I can add some more patience in my morning prep and I'll have a more enjoyable shave.

Speaking of prep, this is my bag (I electric shaved for one whole year 2 years ago, went back to cartridges, then discovered wet shaving 2 months ago [DE wet shaving to be exact]):

1) Shower in the morning, whilst allowing my badger brush to soak in warm water.
2) Stir up my ToBs Avocado while I've left my face wet. Get that going until it's over flowing from my bowl.
3) Fill sink with hot water. And shave.

My DE shave experience was fun. Got great shaves. I knew my prep wasn't perfect, I could probably work on a better lather, but I could get great 4 pass shaves (WTG, XTGx2, ATG) in the morning that would last me until midnight. And I have an average to slightly heavy beard.

My straight is a 5/8 American Co from Larry. I don't know anything about the company, I just like the way it looked. But the thing is sharp, sharp, sharp. So I know that ain't my problem. Stropping. . . Yeah I ain't good at that. I make sure that I'm not applying pressure and that my surfaces are flat. But I'm really slow, and I strop maybe 10 times or so every morning before the shave. I'm thinking now that I should be around 30-40 strops. I've watched quite a few how-to videos on the whole kit-and-kabootle; stropping, shaving, honing.

I noticed this morning that my lather is drying out on my face. That can't be good. Tomorrow I'm gonna work on that, and I'm also gonna strop more. See how that works. And I also might take the suggestion about ditching ATG for now. I'll do WTG and 2 XTG. See how that goes.

So here's a question: How long did it take you guys before you felt like your skill in stropping ACTUALLY made things smoother?

Right now it feels like I'm just a robot stropping my razor because I was told to.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Pinski]

Ah yeah, and what's your guys' take on preshave oil? Think it would be helpful to add in for the learning curve?

 

[dslazar9]

I'm about 5 str8 shaves ahead of you but have a different philosophy. I enjoy the learning curve-I started just WTG down my cheeks and finished with a DE. I understand your desire to jump in all the way the but knowing I'll get a decent shave no matter what is making me more patient. I've now done WTG/XTG and only need to mop up with a DE on my chin. This has been with a Parker Shavette-I've got a Friodur (that my barber gave me) and a Red Injun coming in the mail this week. The Friodur was sent for honing. I've cut the %$^& out of myself a few times-part of the fun. I also like to talk to anybody who will listen about my hobby. I've recruited about 5 fellow fanatics and I just got into this last December. Yes some think it's a bit strange, but I've been wearing vintage ties and watches for years so I guess I started that way to them-I don't really care, more people think it's cool. Hang in there and enjoy the ride.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Ah yeah, and what's your guys' take on preshave oil? Think it would be helpful to add in for the learning curve?

Skip it...good beard prep (shower or warm towel, good brush, good massaging of the lather in your beard) is all you need.

 

[michiganlover]

Skip it...good beard prep (shower or warm towel, good brush, good massaging of the lather in your beard) is all you need.

+1

If your lather is adequate, I feel pre-shave oils are a total waste of money (not to mention, they are hugely expensive for what they are: a few oils, and a scent).

As for wanting encouragement, the learning curve for straight shaving can be steep. You wont' get amazing shaves for at least a few months. Have patience with the process, and treat each shave as a new adventure, tell yourself you can conquer this new challenge, and improve your skills.

Positive attitude means a lot, as there will be days when your shave goes badly south, and you will be mad at yourself for tearing up your face: on days like that, just quickly jump back on the horse, and don't get discouraged.



P.S. I thought I had already posted to this thread yesterday, but I guess not.

 

[Woodash]

I think the few who've mentioned it are right. I do need to be more patient. What I lack in patience, though, I make up in with being plain ol' stubborn. I just told a fellow B&Ber that as long as I'm getting presentable shaves in the morning, which I am, I'll stick with straights. Despite my face feeling like it's melting after I roll on some alum. (Don't worry, the pain only lasts a few minutes). Maybe I can add some more patience in my morning prep and I'll have a more enjoyable shave....

....So here's a question: How long did it take you guys before you felt like your skill in stropping ACTUALLY made things smoother?

Right now it feels like I'm just a robot stropping my razor because I was told to.

Patience and stubborness are not mutually exclusive. 'Keep you head down' (so to speak) and keep moving forward, but be patient enough (keep your touch light) so that your face doesn't 'melt'.

Stropping is an acquired skill (I am still acquiring it...), but it makes a big difference and is worth developing. As you get more into this, you'll discover for yourself that stropping is needed, not just because someone tells you to do it.

Hangs in there.