Your single best shaving tip

[Snargle]

Face lathering. Simple, efficient, and effective. Why whip that expensive badger brush against the sides of a bowl when you can be prepping your whiskers at the same time you're creating a perfect lather?

[InHotWater]

If you are just starting out, shave in the evenings, or at night and take your time. Rather than rush it in the morning before work, and possibly cut yourself and/or get a so-so shave..

[Malcolm Grundy]

Read Mendel's post:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=Mendel

+++++ brilliant!

[HollyGates]

I'm only on my 5th shave with a razor, but I figured this one out on shave number 3. I decided to take a shower first, and didn't bother to put anything on when I got out and started working on shaving. At some point as I was making funny faces and scritching my face in an awkward position with my unfamiliar kamisori, I thought to myself "what if I drop this thing..." then I looked down. You know the top of the sink is kind of at the right height to serve as a chopping block... probably outlandish, but it was a hard thought to get rid of.

Anyway, now I put on some underwear at least, just for peace of mind!

Wear pants when shaving with a straight razor.

[Teddyboy]

Slow, short strokes.

[Island Dreamer]

Quicker strokes cut better. Do you slowly cut vegetables, meat, fruit? Does your barber slowly cut your hair with scissors or clippers?

[jonty]

use your hands not your feet

[cwhiteboy]

Slow down, enjoy the shave. I've found the very few times i've rushed a shave because I was in a hurry, It felt more like a chore, and I ended up with a horrible shave. Now, if I don't have time to enjoy it properly, I leave my face alone until I do. I'd rather go through the day with a little stubble than an irritated face.

[alsutl]

That tip (Wear pants when shaving with a straight razor) made me laugh.

.

[mftoms59]

Map your beard growth direction. This made the difference for my neck - after I figured out which way was WTG.
+1 to all the great tips above (especially cold water shave).

Since it was mentioned, I'll say shoot for comfortable shaves and improvement will occur naturally.

[IA_Cabby]

if using an R41... NO PRESSURE

[BBS-dreamer]

When experimenting be careful on the neck otherwise you are on a slippery road downwards when the rash takes over.

[eyesofgrey]

Wash your face, lather up, then let the lather sit on your beard for two minutes before you start shaving.

Yes, yes, and yes. I get way less irritation just by washing my face and lathering up.

My wife told me she won't shave her legs if she stays in the bath too long- causes irritation. (YMCA, YMMV, BYOB, etc., etc...)


(See my tip about not getting OCD about every shave... this includes prep rituals like soaking your head)

[Kentos]

Learn to use a straight.

[Itsacon]

Wear pants when shaving with a straight razor.

Thank you, that made me laugh.

[Theprofessor]

Cold water shaving.

+1

[BubblesAssassin]

Quicker strokes cut better. Do you slowly cut vegetables, meat, fruit? Does your barber slowly cut your hair with scissors or clippers?

.... What??? I think this is wrong. Cutting slower lets you focus on the correct blade angle and correct pressure (which should be none) this will lead to less or no irritation. Comparing wet shaving to cutting vegetables or cutting hair is very inappropriate.

Do not try "cutting fruits" against the grain.

[jbradley]

Slow, short strokes.

Quicker strokes cut better. Do you slowly cut vegetables, meat, fruit? Does your barber slowly cut your hair with scissors or clippers?

Perfect example of YMMV.

[mrchilli]

In my short time back into DE, I've discovered that my least successful shave with a DE (great as opposed to awesome) has still been miles better than the best shave I've had with a disposable.....So my advice to newbies would be 'Take your time, enjoy it, and don't beat youself up if you feel you're not getting a perfect shave'.

[mcorrea]

Muscle memory. It's amazing how a few weeks down the road things that seemed impossible are now natural and effortless. Am I developing new joints in my forearm?

Matias