A head start on Straight shaving?

[sooper8]

Hi Folks,
I was thinking the other day that being 'handy' with hand tools gives you a bit of a head start or advantage when it comes to using a straight.
I have only been at it a few months but am pretty pleased with the results (I wont say yet if I use hand tools etc)
So the options are
1)Prior experience of hand tools helps
2)It does not help
3)Don't know/don't care

I suppose I was thinking of chisels, saw,knife rather than powered tools

I thought I could post this question as a poll- but when previewing it, it seems not...maybe just a discussion starter?


Just for info..if anyone is planning to do a poll type post, it comes up after the initial post if you tick the box

[Ookla The Mok]

I don't think blunt force tools will provide any additional help. But detail work would help you understand the need to "apply no pressure". I was a bit heavy handed when I first began. A working knowledge of light touch could speed up the learning curve I suppose.

[Walking_Target]

I would agree with the above, if you are used to using percision tools or tools that otherwise require you to have a steady hand, you may be a bit ahead of the curve.

My experience in leatherworking did help me, i'm used to working with very sharp knives that require a very light hand to use propperly.

As above though, i don't think swinging a hammer is good practice for using a straight.

[papasmurf]

I would agree with the above, if you are used to using percision tools or tools that otherwise require you to have a steady hand, you may be a bit ahead of the curve.

My experience in leatherworking did help me, i'm used to working with very sharp knives that require a very light hand to use propperly.

As above though, i don't think swinging a hammer is good practice for using a straight.

you mean you dont swing your straight towards your face like a hammer hitting a nail ?? You must be new at shaving with a straight razor :lol::lol::lol:

[Walking_Target]

You'll have to YouTube us a video of that technique ;)

[Alacrity59]

Makes sense to me. Hand eye coordination and understanding how things cut should be useful skills when shaving.

[FloppyShoes]

Makes sense to me. Hand eye coordination and understanding how things cut should be useful skills when shaving.

+1
I've been using tools since I was 2 years old and switching to straights was very easy.

[Doc4]

I don't think it's hand tools specifically, but anything you do to learn the fine art of finesse will be beneficial.

[Thunder]

Maybe my woodcarving experience is helping me get comfortable with learning to shave, but I hope never to get the two activities confused!

[netsurfr]

Don't think hand tools have anything to do with it. Perhaps the ability to exercise fine motor skills have something to do with success but hand tools are not necessarily related to fine motor skills. Then again, they could... how's that for a bottom line answer of: "it depends."

[kestrel]

Norman Maclean once said that "Until man is redeemed he will always take a flyrod too far back.", and I think that applies equally to coarse and fine tools. Whether you are using a fine chisel or an axe, one of the keys to success is learning to back off and let the tool do the work. I've found it to be much the same with the straight razor.

Best Regards


Graham

[iron maiden]

This is something I haven't even remotely considered, to be honest.

To quote the sea-captain on the Simpsons...

"Arrgghh, I don't know what I'm doin'....."

[professorchaos]

I had a pretty easy time learning to shave with a straight. Certainly far easier than I expected. I am convinced that it was due many years spent in professional kitchens with demanding chefs. Thousands of hours - close to 25,000 - handling a knife, cutting perfect little brunoise, diamonds and butchery teaches you a lot about finesse and blade control.

[sooper8]

..I kind of feel that I got a bit of a head start by being fairly experienced with all manner of tools...the angle, the pressure,the feedback and the understanding of what is going on during the shave.
So for me, in my humble opinion, it gives a head start...