First complete straight razor shave

**Ikaponthus** · 07-05-2012, 02:37 AM

I got my first straight razor (and first DE) razor a few days ago.

I found the DE razor very easy to use. I still have a lot to learn, but I've never in my life shaved with an electric razor. I've been wet shaving all my life, so it was easy to pick up.

My first traditional shave (2 days ago), I started with the straight, but I felt it was just not sharp enough (how would I know, though?), so I did most of my face with the DE.

Tonight (so 2 days growth) I took the preparation a lot more seriously, gave the straight a good stropping and had another crack.

I managed to do my whole face, but it's not what I would call a great shave. Still, I'm happy to have done my first entire straight razor shave.

I tried to do two passes WTG, which is tricky enough since my neck hair swirls around a lot. The shave is not very smooth. I got the cheeks done okay (they're the smoothest bit), but had trouble with the lower neck and the bit directly under my chin. I'd say it's a rough "socially acceptable" shave (I'd feel fine rocking up to a job interview, for example), and my neck is pretty raw. Far from perfect, much practise needed, but I'm happy to have taken the first step.

Step two is to get my razor properly honed.

(and I'm in the process of organising that).

**Doc226** · 07-05-2012, 04:26 AM

Very good. Most important is to truly have a shave ready razor-takes a big variable out if it. Second is if course technique. This one does take some time, hang in there and enjoy.