So today was the big day 
I have been looking forward to trying a straight for a while now. I really enjoy the experience and results with my DE razors so using a classic straight blade must be the best, right?
I ended up getting a 7/8 Brandonisio and Bros. Uno. I started with a 6/8 round point in the cart for $55 but changed when I realized that if I take to this, I likely wouldn't use the razor and if I didn't, it would be harder to get my money back out so...I went for the gusto. The blade on the 7/8 doesn't look or feel too big on my face. No regrets there.
Mike sent it shave ready with strict instructions not to stop before the first use so I had one less thing to learn before shaving today and wasn't concerned with the condition of the blade. I took my time and did about 3/4 of a shave before I bailed and finished with a DE. A couple of small nicks and a small patch or redness but I am still in one piece.
A few observations:
- I found the process of holding and moving the razor really awkward. Coming down from the sideburn was the most comfortable but still awkward. I think the advice of practicing with a butter knife might go a long way to helping build a comfort level. I am definitely going to try that.
- I tried to keep the angle shallow and went very slowly. At first I noticed that most of the lather was accumulating on the underside of the blade but as I spent more time with it, the lather started to be on the top/outside of the blade.
- I also noticed that quite a bit of the time the blade seemed to stick to my face. I was moving it very slowly and was rather nervous of cutting myself so I wanted to concentrate on the feel of the blade on my skin so I could react quickly to anything that felt like a cut.
-I had passes on both cheeks, under the nose, my chin and neck. I was on an ATG pass up my neck when I felt it was time to stop. The areas that I had shaved were still a bit rough so I did a pass with my slant to finish up. In retrospect, I think Lynn's advice of starting with one cheek and just doing that until you get comfortable and then building from there might be the best idea. That is my plan of attack now.
I have been looking forward to trying a straight for a while now. I really enjoy the experience and results with my DE razors so using a classic straight blade must be the best, right?
I ended up getting a 7/8 Brandonisio and Bros. Uno. I started with a 6/8 round point in the cart for $55 but changed when I realized that if I take to this, I likely wouldn't use the razor and if I didn't, it would be harder to get my money back out so...I went for the gusto. The blade on the 7/8 doesn't look or feel too big on my face. No regrets there.
Mike sent it shave ready with strict instructions not to stop before the first use so I had one less thing to learn before shaving today and wasn't concerned with the condition of the blade. I took my time and did about 3/4 of a shave before I bailed and finished with a DE. A couple of small nicks and a small patch or redness but I am still in one piece.
A few observations:
- I found the process of holding and moving the razor really awkward. Coming down from the sideburn was the most comfortable but still awkward. I think the advice of practicing with a butter knife might go a long way to helping build a comfort level. I am definitely going to try that.
- I tried to keep the angle shallow and went very slowly. At first I noticed that most of the lather was accumulating on the underside of the blade but as I spent more time with it, the lather started to be on the top/outside of the blade.
- I also noticed that quite a bit of the time the blade seemed to stick to my face. I was moving it very slowly and was rather nervous of cutting myself so I wanted to concentrate on the feel of the blade on my skin so I could react quickly to anything that felt like a cut.
-I had passes on both cheeks, under the nose, my chin and neck. I was on an ATG pass up my neck when I felt it was time to stop. The areas that I had shaved were still a bit rough so I did a pass with my slant to finish up. In retrospect, I think Lynn's advice of starting with one cheek and just doing that until you get comfortable and then building from there might be the best idea. That is my plan of attack now.
o you have any green crox to touch-up the edge of your razor. If you've nicked your strop your blade may need a little refresh. Crox on balsa wood can do magic to a razors edge.
