"W.I.L" - my first straight shave

[Not4you]

After we run our cars on the racetrack, a few friends and I will start a thread called "What I Learned today at the track". Its a fun way to share a few laughs along with some helpful info for newbies.

Well, my first shave ready straight and RupRazors Filly strop arrived today from a BTS sale so I gave it a try tonight. It involved: 1.5 days growth (light to moderate), Mitchell's Wool Fat face lathered, Shumates 135 11/16 razor, 2x WTG, 1x ATG. The results are: a very close shave with some missed spots, best ever shave on my neck, two nasty cuts on my moustach area and a layer of skin missing from my chin. But all things considered and I really happy with the results.

Anyway, here are my WIL's from my first straight shave ...

1) shaving too slowly lets the lather to dry out and lose its slickness
2) cuts from a straight bleed WAY MORE than DE weepers
3) blocking the view with your hand is a bad idea
4) the heel is lethal when you are solely focused on the toe
5) ATG on my neck is pain-free and gave the best results I have ever had
6) regardless of pain and blood loss, straight shaving is very fun
7) my wife only liked me looking like a cut up hockey player 10 years ago when I actually played hockey


So, now add some of your own ... what did YOU learn when you first started straight shaving??

 

[gugi]

4) the heel is lethal when you are solely focused on the toe

Next lesson:


the tip is lethal when you are solely focused on the heel

 

[Starcar]

Congrats on your first str8 shave Matt. Looks like you got a good start, keep at it and it should come to you quickly.

I also found using both hands to shave makes life a lot easier.

Enjoy!

 

[Starcar]

4) the heel is lethal when you are solely focused on the toe

I started with a spike, you can lose an ear with it if you are not careful!

 

[bearbear]

8) standing to close to the mirror is dangerous, as scales tend to bounce off them when they make contact. Scales also tend to be attached to the balde, which spends alot of time with the sharp edge on/inches from your face. The result is a nice gash; and if any one asks you got it in a bar fight.

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Next lesson:


the tip is lethal when you are solely focused on the heel

8) standing to close to the mirror is dangerous, as scales tend to bounce off them when they make contact. Scales also tend to be attached to the balde, which spends alot of time with the sharp edge on/inches from your face. The result is a nice gash; and if any one asks you got it in a bar fight.

+1 , especially to the first one. I got my nose pretty good last week because of that.

 

[gregs656]

DO NOT shave under the influence.

 

[bearbear]

DO NOT shave under the influence.

Amen..
How many times we gotta tell you, broken galls and real rum doesn't constitute wet shaving my friend?

 

[mdunn]

if you lean to far towards the mirror to get a better look at what youre doing you'll push the blade into your face


...thats the kind of mistake you only make once though

 

[Sullybob]

if you lean to far towards the mirror to get a better look at what youre doing you'll push the blade into your face


...thats the kind of mistake you only make once though

OUCH!!!!!!!

Don't have a death grip on the razor. Its not venomous. A light grip works better.

 

[Fnord5]

3) blocking the view with your hand is a bad idea

Contorting your arms with a razor in your hand is a far worse option.

The number one rule is be comfortable with the blade in your hand, when you feel awkward trying to see the blade, it's gonna bite you.

As for : the tip is lethal when you are solely focused on the heel
and : the heel is lethal when you are solely focused on the toe

When you have both of those in mind, you are going to stall the blade, and get some lateral movement, and the belly is going to get you.


The real trick is Zen in nature. Do not mind the blade, do not mind your face, do not mind your lather, just shave.

 

[Not4you]

As for : the tip is lethal when you are solely focused on the heel
and : the heel is lethal when you are solely focused on the toe

When you have both of those in mind, you are going to stall the blade, and get some lateral movement, and the belly is going to get you.

you just can't win can you!!


I also learned that my chin is very round and finding flat sections is a challenge. I ended up shaving 1/4" sections using 1/4" of the belly of the blade ... OUCH!! I call that carving, not shaving!

 

[SavantStrike]

Never try to rush the finish if things start going south

I learned that a week or two in when I had a reaction to the soap I was using. It was the first time I got cut.

 

[jlander]

Don't let the blade touch you if it's not moving (horizontally )

 

[adonnellyr]

One thing I learned is that you must always keep track of your blade, even when you're holding it off to the side and not shaving--I sliced the tip of my finger once from this.

 

[Dubbya]

Never move your head in reaction to anything around you. I don't care if the toilet explodes in a Die Hard movie style fireball. Move the razor away from your face, then turn your head.

 

[olafurson]

One thing I learned is that you must always keep track of your blade, even when you're holding it off to the side and not shaving--I sliced the tip of my finger once from this.

Me too, but it was my thumb.

WIL: if you can't get the blade to the patch of beard you want to shave, try instead taking the patch of beard to the blade. Shaving around corners doesn't work - stretch your skin until the bit you want to shave is on a flat surface.

 

[Obsessed]

Whoa! This thread certainly inhibits (at least for now) those fantasies of straight shaving I've been having recently! You are better men than I, my friends!

 

[professorchaos]

2) cuts from a straight bleed WAY MORE than DE weepers

Worth mentioning here that I cut myself way less often with a straight than a DE. Those few cuts I do get are invariably less severe than those bestowed by a DE.

 

[SavantStrike]

Whoa! This thread certainly inhibits (at least for now) those fantasies of straight shaving I've been having recently! You are better men than I, my friends!

It shouldn't... this thread is a collection of horror stories (of sorts). Most of straight shaving is a joyous experience. Go ahead and start straight shaving, just don't horn in on all the good blades .