Hello B&B!
I decided a couple weeks ago I wanted to start using a straight razor. I wanted to embrace the traditions of my grandfather and it just seems more manly. I also recently had a son and I thought wet shaving would be something that I could teach him and pass down. Passing down the plastic cartridge, 5-blade Schick Hydro just didn't sound significant. And something about the idea of holding a bare razor against my throat gets my manhood going.
As I was doing some research, I decided that this wasn't something I was going to be able to just jump into. But I really wanted to get started, so I thought I would start with a DE while I learned to use the straight razor. So I bought all my tools...
- Merkur 34C
- Art of Shaving cream, pre-shave oil, after-shave balm
- Badger Brush
- Gold Dollar "dull" practice straight razor
- Parker Shavette
- The largest blade assortment I could find on Amazon.
My first DE shave was with the Gillette 7 o'clock blade. My face wasn't quite like hamburger, but I had more nicks in that one shave than I have had my whole life. I watched a few more videos and it turned out I was doing just about everything wrong...too much pressure, wrong angle, to fast. I waited a few days to heal, and tried again. I have shaved about 5 times now with no blood (yeah), but I am sorry to say that my shaves are no where as close as they were with a cartridge razor. I am doing the 3-pass method (WTG, XTG, ATG), but I just can't seem to get close. I have tried several different blades (new blade every time), but I am not getting that BBS.
If anyone has any suggestions about getting closer let me know.
I have also been practicing with the straight razor and I have tried the shavette a few times on my cheeks. I am getting more comfortable with the process and the angles. But I don't think I am ready to try a full shave with a straight razor.
Even though I am not getting a really close shave, I am really enjoying the process. Face lathering feels so good and it's kind of fun. I love the scents and how my face feels afterward. It is very cathartic to slow down, pay attention to the little things, and focus on the "now". I am committed to learning this art and passing it on.
-Howard
I decided a couple weeks ago I wanted to start using a straight razor. I wanted to embrace the traditions of my grandfather and it just seems more manly. I also recently had a son and I thought wet shaving would be something that I could teach him and pass down. Passing down the plastic cartridge, 5-blade Schick Hydro just didn't sound significant. And something about the idea of holding a bare razor against my throat gets my manhood going.
As I was doing some research, I decided that this wasn't something I was going to be able to just jump into. But I really wanted to get started, so I thought I would start with a DE while I learned to use the straight razor. So I bought all my tools...
- Merkur 34C
- Art of Shaving cream, pre-shave oil, after-shave balm
- Badger Brush
- Gold Dollar "dull" practice straight razor
- Parker Shavette
- The largest blade assortment I could find on Amazon.
My first DE shave was with the Gillette 7 o'clock blade. My face wasn't quite like hamburger, but I had more nicks in that one shave than I have had my whole life. I watched a few more videos and it turned out I was doing just about everything wrong...too much pressure, wrong angle, to fast. I waited a few days to heal, and tried again. I have shaved about 5 times now with no blood (yeah), but I am sorry to say that my shaves are no where as close as they were with a cartridge razor. I am doing the 3-pass method (WTG, XTG, ATG), but I just can't seem to get close. I have tried several different blades (new blade every time), but I am not getting that BBS.
If anyone has any suggestions about getting closer let me know.
I have also been practicing with the straight razor and I have tried the shavette a few times on my cheeks. I am getting more comfortable with the process and the angles. But I don't think I am ready to try a full shave with a straight razor.
Even though I am not getting a really close shave, I am really enjoying the process. Face lathering feels so good and it's kind of fun. I love the scents and how my face feels afterward. It is very cathartic to slow down, pay attention to the little things, and focus on the "now". I am committed to learning this art and passing it on.
-Howard