How Does One Knew If He's Ready For a Straight?

[Parallax]

Hey, thanks guys. Tried again tonight with a much better result. Got some shaving advice this afternoon when I met up with one of the guys who is a member of this community. That helped a lot. Taking baby steps now but it's correct that the flaw is not in the razor but rather in my technique.

[retturn2blades]

Glad you made progress Para. My son used a Whipped Dog razor set I gave him, and did quite well with it from his feedback to me. He felt it was dull too his first time but he hit the strop and things improved.

Without my own experience, I'd guess the first few shaves with a REAL sharp straight razor, anybody will be very cautious and tense in fear of cuts. As confidence grows and over caution subsides, I think good technique begins to show up in the shaves.

[Parallax]

Very true Jeff. Today the shave was better. Managed to go WTG over my entire face and ATG in some places. The right cheek came out nice and smooth. The rest, not so much. And did score my first slice -- though nothing terrible. This is going to take time.

[cb91710]

This is going to take time.

Of course it will.

Just over 6 months in and I'm getting very good results, but every now and then I'll get a little close to an ear and leave a slice, or for some reason, the top of my cheek below my left eye seems to frequently "catch" the blade.

Those are the only two "regular" cuts that require more than a cold rinse and a bit of alum. I'm always getting small nicks on my throat, but they self-seal, usually before I am done and completely rinsed.