Just completed my first shave with a straight

[colnagoglyn]

Well, having a small collection of five DE Razors and using them exclusively for the last year or so I decided to take the plunge and order a Feather AC SS Folding straight razor. It arrived today along with a pack of Pro Guard blades.
I just completed my first shave about half an hour ago and I'm still in a bit of a state of confusion in so much as I'm not sure whether I enjoyed the experience or not.
I was quite pleased with the result for a first effort, I'd say it was about 95% as good as a shave as I get with my Gillette Fatboy and a Seven o clock blade. Not surprisingly I was a a little nervous and did nick myself 4/5 times although nothing too serious. Fairly serious razor burn when finished even after a generous dose of DR Harris aftershave milk followed by Trumpers Skinfood.
I think I am questioning the enjoyment factor because I was concentrating so much, in fact as I type this I am beginning to think that I did quite enjoy it, it's clear that the key to success but please tell me if I'm wrong is blade angle and absolutely no pressure, I was punished by the blade when I got these two things wrong.
Anyway I have a question for you, whilst I don't intend to give up on my DE razors should I continue to use the straight for several days/weeks in a row whilst I'm learning to shave with it or put it in my rotation and use it once a week.
I'm inclined to go with the former as the latter will be like starting over every week, what do you think?

 

[fast14riot]

Disclaimer: I haven't shaved with a straight yet, but have been reading all sorts of new user recommendations lately.

I've seen it recomended that new SR users just do partial shaves while learning, just your strong hand side and just the sideburn, cheek and jaw line first, finish with your normal razor. Next time add below the jaw on your strong side and also your sideburn and cheek on your weak side. Chin and upper lip can be added last when you no longer have the problems with angle.

-Xander

 

[colnagoglyn]

Thanks for that fast14riot, I must admit I am naturally impatient and wanted to complete a full shave, in retrospect now that the razor burn has subsided and there is no evidence of the nicks I'm thinking that it wasn't so bad, What I do intend to do is watch the videos that I have seen over and over again to understand the technique better.

 

[fast14riot]

Yeah, I understand the impatients! I'm currently working up the nerve to have my first SR shave, likely Monday because I have the day off and can let the wounds heal! . Also, try different blades in your razor, its just like the DE's, you have to find the one you like. I'm going to use a razor I just restored this week, hopefully all goes well.

Btw, what Colnago do you ride? I had a Master Xtra Lite for a while, but it just didn't fit me right.


-Xander

 

[colnagoglyn]

I have a CLX and a C59 both with Campagnolo group sets (I'm early retired but have a hobby job in a local bike shop) The cash feeds my bike and shaving habits!

 

[Gissy]

I think that is a to careful first step personally. I started with one full WTG pass the first couple of times and then went to two full passes WTG, XTG after that. It has been a success for me. Using the wrong hand became quite natural in just one week or so.

 

[Wid]

Sounds about normal. Just keep at it and take your time, your skill level will improve in time. The more you use the feather the better the results will be.

 

[dpmtherrien]

The Feather SS is a very nice straight, and the more you use it the better you'll get with it. All I use for straights are the disposable blade type, and I do continue to use my DE razors. I'll often do my first pass with the DE, and then use the straight for any other passes and any clean up. Just continue to use your straight whenever you feel like using it, but go slow and allow your technique to develop with the straight.

For the record, I found the Feather pro guard blades to be worthless, and not good shavers. The regular pro and the super pro are much better.

 

[Galengwath]

As others have mentioned, it's fine to learn by shaving the easier parts of your face, but I would definately recommend using your straight for at least a portion of you shave for a good 2-3 weeks. It will probably take a while to become truly proficient with your straight no matter what, but it will take even longer if you're rotating between DE's and straights. They're simply very different tools that take very different techniques to use properly.

So yes, stick with the straight for quite a while until you're much more comfortable using it.