Nervous beginner.

[Mike78]

Im sitting here with my first ever straight razor in my hand, a beautiful feather artist DX with a wooden handle.

I have spent the past week watching as many videos and reading as many websites as I can about straight razors. Tomorrow morning Im going to use a straight razor for the first time ever.

Feather artist are known for been particularly sharp, even people with years of straight razor experience can seem almost intimidated by them.

What have I gotten myself into?

 

[Searlands]

WOW, straight razor! I'm not skilled enough to handle of those ... yet!

There are lots of Gentlemen on this forum that will give you all the advice you need.

All the best ... let us all know how you went.

 

[sparco]

I have a Feather AC DX non-folding which I gear up with Feather Pro blades. At first there were some cuts and nicks, but practice - practice and more practice have rewarded me with great shaves. My advice would be to lower your shoulders, relax and take your time. You will get there.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[MrDentini]

Don't be afraid, just be careful. You will surely enjoy it (please report back)

 

[YetiDave]

Give it a go! Chances are you'll end up with a few nicks, but nothing serious if you're careful. I started straight shaving with a shavette and was bitten the first few times I used it, if you're at all apprehensive about trying it then I'd wait until you feel more confident. I found that if I wasn't making at least slightly confident passes with it I'd end up with nicks. If you can shave with one of those, though, you can shave with anything!

 

[leonidas]

........my first time, i was left with a scar on my cheek......

.....i tell folks that it is a dueling scar..........

 

[Mike78]

Give it a go! Chances are you'll end up with a few nicks, but nothing serious if you're careful. I started straight shaving with a shavette and was bitten the first few times I used it, if you're at all apprehensive about trying it then I'd wait until you feel more confident. I found that if I wasn't making at least slightly confident passes with it I'd end up with nicks. If you can shave with one of those, though, you can shave with anything!

I feel about as confident as Im going to get. I suppose everyone will always feel just a little nervous before trying a straight razor for the first time. I'll have my trusty DE at hand, and Im thinking for the first few shaves (until I get the hang of things) I might just go over all the easy spots with the DX and then use the DE for around the chin etc.

I just cant help but think about how Im going to be using a razor that even experienced shavers are nervous of, and I'm using it for my first time.

And yes, I'll report back tomorrow, to let you all know how it goes.

 

[deruitem]

Yes take your time and make sure you are fully awake. The only time I got a good cut was when I glanced away bringing the razor to my face and slid it the wrong way. The cut was small and bled only a little but I had a red scratch on my face for a few days

 

[sir-nix-alot]

Just do it.

Be careful, but not overly cautious. You're going to be going slow as molasses trying to figure out angles and how to hold the razor - it's really awkward. No rush - Enjoy.

 

[gash]

Dibs on his stereo!

Just kidding. You'll be fine. Expect a few nicks and cuts. The nice thing about ultra-sharp blades is that cuts tend to heal more quickly (at least, for me).

 

[wrinkles2]

Just be careful and you will be fine.

 

[KingGordon]

Please report your progress as you try it. I am an aspiring straight shaver but I'm just not there yet.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

I'm waiting for my first straight to arrive. Someone recently suggested that the blade should be in motion when hitting the skin to reduce the chance of a nick. I guess I'll find out soon enough! Good luck and can't wait to hear about your experience.

 

[TheTrunkDr]

I just switched a couple of weeks ago from a cart type to a Shavette. Expect some nicks, particularly the first few times. As others on here have said it's a steep learning curve. The nice thing is that it won't take you that long to get the hang of it. I'm nick free now and irritation free if I only do a single WTG pass on my neck. I'm jealous of your razor, that sucker is going on my Christmas wish list!

 

[JaxJim]

No experience with a shavette, but have been shaving with straights for about a year now. I suspect the principles are pretty much the same, although I understand that shavettes (particularly Feathers) are a bit less forgiving. Anyway, one suggestion on building some confidence is to start out shaving only the sides of your face (i.e., from your sideburn to your jaw line on each side) with your straight, then finish with your safety razor. Also, keep your blade angle as shallow as you can and avoid pressure. Remember, it's only shaving, not brain surgery! Good luck!

 

[Skyrider55]

Dibs on his stereo!

LOL you had me laughing with that one Gash.

You'll do fine. Even if you nick yourself it'll heal. Cuts are just part of the learning curve. It's not if you cut yourself it's when. Pay particular attention when putting the razor to your skin. Sometimes they bite then when you least expect it!

 

[dpmtherrien]

The Feather AC was my first straight, and now the Feather's and the Kai's are my only straights.

Start slow and easy. Just do the sideburn area and cheeks. Start with the razor flat against your skin and raise it enough to cut your whiskers. Don't worry about closeness for now, just get the technique down. As you progress move to other area's of your face. The Feather straight is a very find shaver, and you use it the same way as any open bladed razor. Its going to take some time, but its worth the effort. My first shaves, actually many shaves, resulted in nicks, cuts, and lots of irritation. Once I got it down though the shaves are some of the best you can get. Good luck.

 

[syngent]

i had a feather for a while,.. i cut myself once but other then that i had no troubles getting a blood free shave with it,... though it took a while to get a good irritation free DFS from it when i began

 

[professorchaos]

Love the way my AC shaves. Absolutely love it.

Use the lightest of touches. And think of it this way: what's the worst that could happen. You get cut, you heal, you keep shaving.

 

[oxford1833]

Before you start, take the phone off the hook and dial 9-1. That way you only have to hit 1 if you run into a problem.

I know. That's just not funny.