Just another first straight shave thread

[Chicken Enchilada]

There needs to be a sticky where the newbs can post about their first shave. Anywho, I attempted a first shave. Except it was more of a 'testing the water' type of shave. I tried some strokes on my cheeks and sideburns, that weren't very successful. The blade was skipping and I couldn't get a very clean stroke. What's the cause of this skipping?

After the failed attempt at the cheeks, I moved on to the neck. I wasn't expecting much, but to my surprise I got a DFS on the neck. That blade was gliding smoothly, and it was ATG at that!

So I got a crappy shave going WTG on the cheeks, and a DFS going ATG on the neck. That's the first time I've gotten a better shave on my neck than my cheeks! I wouldn't say that shaving my neck with a straight is better than with a DE (yet), but I can say that it was easier, and I doubt I'll get any irritation like I usually do. It just seemed more natural.

 

[r0ckrat]

Today was my first str8 shave too. I had better luck on the cheeks, a little trouble with angles on the jawline, and didn't shave the neck today as yesterday I got a lot of irritation from an old-type Gillette. Posted about it on my blog in more detail.

 

[AFDavis11]

Well as long as its DFS your good to go. Just the other day a friend was texting someone and they were, IMHO, LOL, YMMV, etc. back and forth and then she asked:

"What does D.U.M.B. stand for?

 

[DM.Aelis]

Keep at it!

I've found that skipping is usually a reality of poor angle/pressure (or a bad blade, which I knew wasn't the case with me since Ambrose took care of me just fine).

Granted I'm about as experienced as you are. So YMMV.

Make sure your prep is good too! I've found my fledgling straight skills are much more dependent on a well-prepped shave than with my DE.

 

[Chicken Enchilada]

My second shave went much more smoothly. It's a bit patchy, but it will suffice. Pulling the skin is a key part of straight shaving. I focused a bit more on the skin pulling part, and got a much smoother shave. The blade wasn't skipping at all.

There's something more gratifying about shaving with a straight vs shaving with a DE. Straight > DE. This is fun!

 

[mainaman]

2 weeks in and I am almost perfect on the chin and mustache.
Just make sure the razor is sharp enough and monitor the angles.
Also very important good beard perp and stretch the skin well to get the hair as low as possible.