oc_in_fw shave journal- There Will Be Blood
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... and so it begins 
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- #3
So, I loaded up some DR Harris Arlington and went to work. At the very beginning I managed to give myself a couple good cuts. It took a while to stop the bleeding, I then proceeded with another pass, this one much better, and finished up with the ER1912. Looks like it will be a few days before the next shave. I cannot wait.
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- #4
... and so it begins
Yep, and to make matters worse I mentioned I had never felt a badger brush. Larry then proceeded to show me a pure and silvertip knot. Damnit, now I will be needed a pure badger (I liked it better).
Nice one. You've gotta watch that angle and make sure you keep the razor moving...or that happens. 
I notice is was on the cheek and not near the lip or chin like it's much harder at. Must have just made the wrong move at the wrong time. Happens to everybody at some point. Just keep at it, you'll get it.
I notice is was on the cheek and not near the lip or chin like it's much harder at. Must have just made the wrong move at the wrong time. Happens to everybody at some point. Just keep at it, you'll get it.
Stay with WTG passes for the first few weeks. You actually looks a helluva lot better starting out than I did. A styptic pencil is definitely your friend for larger nicks than an alum block won't fix up.
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- #7
Both happened in about the first 15 seconds. It got much better after that.Nice one. You've gotta watch that angle and make sure you keep the razor moving...or that happens.
I notice is was on the cheek and not near the lip or chin like it's much harder at. Must have just made the wrong move at the wrong time. Happens to everybody at some point. Just keep at it, you'll get it.
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- #8
Even with styptic, it took a while to stop. I did some XTG strokes, and things started getting better.
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- #9
I am so bummed. I have a great razor, but can't use it for at least another day. Maybe I can shave just half my face.
LOL! Just give it a day or so and use witch hazel a few times a day. It won't take long to heal up.
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- #11
It is healing up nicely. I bought some Mederma, which is an anti-scarring cream, to help out. I should be good by Thursday. Oh, and i put witch hazel on my face every day, whether I shave or not- it is good stuff, and got rid of the dark circles under my eyes.
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- #12
Getting better- I now have that Beatle's song stuck in my head. Okay, today was day 2. I opted for Speick stick today. The first pass was with the blade flat on my face and WTG. Many advocate doing this for beard reduction. The second pass was also WTG, and I got a good feel for what angle the blade likes to be at. You can really feel the difference when you find it. I did a little bit of XTG on the cheeks and neck. On most of my face I was SAS. Figuring I had tempted the shave gods enough, I finished up with the ER1912. The results- one weeper right under my left sideburn, one nick on my left chin, and a little razor burn on the left neck. The common thing here- on the left, where I used my left hand. This will, of course, take work. Also, the nick and weeper both happened when the blade first touched the skin.
I was kind of bummed out for the last few days because I couldn't shave due to the cuts. In fact, I am kind of surprised it affected me as much as it did. I was determine to do it today, and just take care around the cut areas. My psyche is much better now. I cannot wait until tomorrow.
I was kind of bummed out for the last few days because I couldn't shave due to the cuts. In fact, I am kind of surprised it affected me as much as it did. I was determine to do it today, and just take care around the cut areas. My psyche is much better now. I cannot wait until tomorrow.
Nice. You're on your way!
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- #14
Yes I am, and it feels good. I took the razor, which is a Genco full hollow (I think 5/8, I was nervous about taking a ruler to it) to work to show the guys. They officially think I am nuts
lol I am right there with you ... (I haven't brought mine to work yet... but all my stuff gets shipped to work so i still get all the crazy looks) Good luck great to see someone who started at the same time i did.
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- #16
Your start was much better 
Seriously, I was nervous and had a bit of shaky hand to start. I should of held off a minute and relaxed.
Seriously, I was nervous and had a bit of shaky hand to start. I should of held off a minute and relaxed.
I am sure you've read this but keep the angle flat, keep the skin taut and use short (my preference for efficiency), confident strokes; if your strokes are too slow you'll get razor burn. Don't rest the blade on your face.
If you have any pre-shave products (shaving oil, proraso pre, liquid glycerin) use them.
I didn't follow this advice when I was a newbie but ideally during the first week you should only try a WTG pass then finish up with your SE.
If you find yourself frustrated with not being able to see every angle in the mirror, that's normal. If the blade is keen enough, I recommend trying a North to South and then South to North pass due to simplicity. You might cut yourself less this way because it is easier to keep the skin taut. On most days this is what I do. Whenever I shave with a DE I shave in WTG, XTG, ATG, ATG passes.
If the razor falls off the counter or slips from your hand, don't try to catch it.
Most important advice I received was that it might take six months or more to become proficient and to have fun.
If you have any pre-shave products (shaving oil, proraso pre, liquid glycerin) use them.
I didn't follow this advice when I was a newbie but ideally during the first week you should only try a WTG pass then finish up with your SE.
If you find yourself frustrated with not being able to see every angle in the mirror, that's normal. If the blade is keen enough, I recommend trying a North to South and then South to North pass due to simplicity. You might cut yourself less this way because it is easier to keep the skin taut. On most days this is what I do. Whenever I shave with a DE I shave in WTG, XTG, ATG, ATG passes.
If the razor falls off the counter or slips from your hand, don't try to catch it.
Most important advice I received was that it might take six months or more to become proficient and to have fun.
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I've had to refrain for a couple days of healing, or shave around a cut or two myself. Restraint isn't something I'm good at. lol Sounds like you are getting a bit of the groove of it tho.
Leaning your face forward helps to see around the razor in the mirror when it gets tricky, BTW.
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- #20
Yeah, I am going to skip tomorrow and let the burn on the neck heal up a bit. I hit it with witch hazel, then put Nivea After Shave balm on it before I left for work. We have Jurgen Ultra Healing lotion at work, so I will probably hit that today, too.
Even though I haven't responded to all, I appreciate everyone's advice.
