When I think back to when I first started shaving with a straight razor I realize a lot of the learning process was developing muscle memory. I am a natural lefty, so the switching hands was not the hard part. I have grown up and lived in a right handed world, so much of what I do is already using both sides of my brain. It is not uncommon for new SR shavers to have difficulty on the harder parts of the face, e.g. upper lip, chin, lower lip and for some guys, the neck can give them trouble. Once you have made the mental and monetary commitment to SR shaving it can be very discouraging to get cuts, irritation, weepers...or even worse, slices. These most often occur on those tougher areas of the face. The challenging angles, thickness of the stubble can make these areas very difficult and intimidating for someone who is new. For some the experience is so discouraging they pack it in and put their SR in the display cabinet. There are ways around this to make the journey to a full face SR shave a bit easier.
And this is where muscle memory comes in. One piece of advice I often -- no, always -- give to newbie straight shavers is to shave those easy parts of the face, in particular the fleshy cheeks, side burn area and maybe neck with their SR. A great feeling accomplishment can arise from this small task. Then for those difficult areas I suggest you do a first pass with a DE or SE to clear away the thickest, most stubborn parts of the stubble. Then follow up with a pass with your SR to these same areas. This will help to develop muscle memory and confidence for shaving those areas. Gradually, when you are more comfortable, you can cut into those more difficult areas with a first pass of your SR. Over a very short period of time you will be shaving your whole face -- blood and irritation free -- with your SR and you can shelve your DE/SE for good.
Some may say this is cheating and a REAL SR shaver wouldn't dare adopt "training wheels" like this. I say phooey on those naysayers. The objective is to reach a point where you are getting a great SR shave, feel accomplished and encouraged to continue with SR shaving for the rest of your days on this tiny planet. Guys I know who adopted this approach swear by it now to newbie shavers they are mentoring. Enjoy your SR shave...its the only way to go. That's my story and I'm sticking to it...
And this is where muscle memory comes in. One piece of advice I often -- no, always -- give to newbie straight shavers is to shave those easy parts of the face, in particular the fleshy cheeks, side burn area and maybe neck with their SR. A great feeling accomplishment can arise from this small task. Then for those difficult areas I suggest you do a first pass with a DE or SE to clear away the thickest, most stubborn parts of the stubble. Then follow up with a pass with your SR to these same areas. This will help to develop muscle memory and confidence for shaving those areas. Gradually, when you are more comfortable, you can cut into those more difficult areas with a first pass of your SR. Over a very short period of time you will be shaving your whole face -- blood and irritation free -- with your SR and you can shelve your DE/SE for good.
Some may say this is cheating and a REAL SR shaver wouldn't dare adopt "training wheels" like this. I say phooey on those naysayers. The objective is to reach a point where you are getting a great SR shave, feel accomplished and encouraged to continue with SR shaving for the rest of your days on this tiny planet. Guys I know who adopted this approach swear by it now to newbie shavers they are mentoring. Enjoy your SR shave...its the only way to go. That's my story and I'm sticking to it...
