I decided to jump into the straight world after a few years with my de's. At first, it went too well. Clearly beard mapping, cutting myself on aggressive open combs helped me here, but then I got confident.... I started an against the grain pass and I paid for it. Nothing bleed, but I have 6 cuts on my face now And irritation like you wouldn't believe. Ah well, no overconfidence next time!
My first straight shave
- Thread starter Jefebadskin
- Start date
Great first effort!
Take it slow, respect the edge. Learn each step well before moving forward.
Take it slow, respect the edge. Learn each step well before moving forward.
Great first report!
And at least you didn't pay a price in blood for your hubris.
Mark it as lesson learned and have fun!
Ww
And at least you didn't pay a price in blood for your hubris.
Mark it as lesson learned and have fun!
Ww
Slow and steady will get it done without much problems. Keep working on the technique.
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
Try just going with two WTG passes for a couple of weeks, and work on mastering the WTG. ATG is a little different and TGH, it is not necessarily needed. I seldom go ATG anymore. Just for special occasions or when I won't be able to shave the next day but still must look presentable.
- Thread starter
- #6
Yeah I got the blade angle, grip, everything decent with the grain. Against the grain, I was not prepared for any part of that! I don't know how some of you start wet shaving with a straight. At least my lather, beard mapping, knowing angles is there. I appreciate the advice.
I tried one straight shave starting with an against the grain pass and it really irritated my face. Generally, I do three passes:
- With the grain
- Across the grain
- Against the grain
Here's a beard mapping diagram:
View attachment 353243
The tough part for me is under the jawline (4 and 9 on the diagram) because my whiskers are more horizontal, but I've learned to get to it with the blade against the grain on the third pass.
It sounds from the description of your first effort that you will learn straight shaving much quicker than I did. Stick with it and I think you will find it very satisfying.
Nice report. As you can see though its going to take some time until you get it down. For now just settle for a passable shave, and as your technique improves the shaves will get better. Just don't try to rush things. You might try doing your first pass with your DE, and then using your straight for the second, and any clean up. That way the really thick, tough stuff will be gone, and you can go again using your straight very lightly.
+1
my first 10 shaves or so were not nearly as close as with a DE, but after about two weeks worth of shaves I was getting CCS with just WTG and XTG passes. Now (about 50 shaves in) I get DFS/BBS with 2 passes, and if I want closer I do two XTG passes.
- Thread starter
- #10
2nd shave (had to heal from all the cuts) was different. I'm much happier with the outcome as my face felt much better, my grip came together, and I improved my first pass greatly. The downside is it just doesn't look as good as the first shave on my chin and neck. It's crazy sounding, but I learned a lot more and I think did a better job this time, it just doesn't show. Actually it does on cuts, I went from 6 visible knife looking cuts to zero. The irritation wasn't bad either. Thanks for all the help. The guys that mentioned close shaves not going against the grain, I think I see the potential. I've never had such a close first pass on my sideburns, left side of my neck.
Similar threads
