2nd full straight shave.

[gartlr]

I have decided to let the de shaving take a back seat while I learn the straight, you wont lean if you lean on another razor. I just did a 2nd complete shave again and it sucks but not as bad as the last one...I think. This sucks, learning is hard on your own but in the end that is where the reward is. Wish they had a weekend corespondence class somewhere. Have the prep and lather down but my chin and moustache is so corse its still hard to shave to get the angle. I check the lather to see if there is actually hair in it and there is. I basically am wearing a next day shawdow all the time. Well mabey Miami Vice will come back in style.:mad:

[mdunn]

a bit of practice and you'll be there.

[SiBurning]

It took me about four months to get a decent looking shave consistently. A couple of things started falling in place since then, and now at five months, I get a DFS nearly every time. Even starting to get nearly BBS is some areas. It takes time, and sometimes something clicks and you make great progress quickly. Hang in there if you can. The shaves have stayed clean looking longer, at least since I was able to get clean looking.

[tgarza]

I still have not managed to work up gut to put a straight to my face. Good job!

[joshmpdx]

if you don't mind a couple of questions...

what razor are you using and where was it sharpened?

which soap or cream are you using?

i personally shaved with a shave ready razor only to learn that after a shave or two, i had not kept the razor properly and it was no longer suitable.

it wasn't until i got a third shave ready blade that i was capable of not leaning on a DE to get a good shave. however, since i picked up that third razor i have NOT ONCE picked up the DE. and this was 8 or 9 months ago.

if in fact you need a touch up on your razor, PM me and hone it on quality hones gratis.

[Mr. O]

Remember to go slow and no pressure. It seems if you do the opposite of one or either of these, you're in for a bad deal. I don't know what others would think but maybe go back to DE to get a better footing on technique? That is, of course if you've mastered DE. Either way practice, research here, ask questions and have fun!

[Luc]

Don't worry about it! It takes time to get there but eventually you will get better! Do not expect a bbs right away!

[Ironman06]

Good on ya Gartlr, and good luck. I tried a half dozen times and got discouraged... not to say I won't give it another go... maybe even soon, but to me, I'm always mighty impressed on those that have been dedicated to perfecting this art.

[gartlr]

BTW My DE technique is great, first time I used one was a slim and managed to take off a full beard on 1 pass and bbs on the second in about 7 min, no nicks. My buddy brought the slim to work and I brought a can of gilette gel. Shaved in the mens room. Karm is on this site he can vouch for this story.

[Hughies_online]

Practice and persistence!

[vitaman]

Straights are cool!! Welcome to B&B!

[SavantStrike]

Welcome!

And don't fret if it takes a while to get the straight down pat. It took me a good 2-3 months before I could consistently look half presentable, and another month or two after that until I could always get a smooth shave (DFS not BBS).

When you switch to a straight, you look like the unibomber for a month or so. It's just sort of how it goes...

[stobes21]

Stick with it, you'll get there. I would suggest checking out some of the videos on you tube. I think the guy who founded straight razor place (lynn abrams maybe?) has a particularly good one. I would also encourage you to be vigilant with your strop. It makes so much difference.

[benvh]

Nice! I haven't dared to try yet...yet.

[texbilly]

Well done.

I'm in the same position as you with only a few partial to full shaves under my belt. I've quickly come to understand what the veterans say: it takes time! I'm tackling it by improving at least one thing every shave (blade angle, grip, position, etc.) and although nothing close to a fine shave yet, I walk away with a little more knowledge and skill every time. :001_smile

I do wonder...when straight shaving was the only way men learned to shave, did it take them as long to master the craft? I'll bet they dialed it in much quicker when you consider most of us started with the ease of cartridge or DE shaving!

[gollum83]

Remember to go slow and no pressure. It seems if you do the opposite of one or either of these, you're in for a bad deal. I don't know what others would think but maybe go back to DE to get a better footing on technique? That is, of course if you've mastered DE. Either way practice, research here, ask questions and have fun!

While the basics are the same, such as no pressure or knowing the growth pattern of your beard, they're two total different ways of shaving. Don't get me wrong, having shaved with a DE does help some, but if he wants to learn to shave with a straight, then he needs to shave with a straight.

[leighton]

Unfortunately some people take a while to figure it out. Spend time in chat, we can help you live! ;)

[gollum83]

Unfortunately some people take a while to figure it out. Spend time in chat, we can help you live! ;)

Well not that live. Don't shave and type. Someone always gets hurt that way. :biggrin: