Balloon shave (practice)

**ashm24** · 08-17-2006, 10:07 AM

Hi,

My first DE razor is on order but I'm wondering whether it would be worthwhile buying some balloons for shaving practice before I let it loose on my face?

Kind regards,

Ashley.

**With The Grain** · 08-17-2006, 10:13 AM

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**Ashe** · 08-17-2006, 10:15 AM

It's good to see you have ordered a DE razor!

I have never heard of using a balloon for learning to shave and I doubt whether it's the correct way.

I suggest to try a little on your arm before you shave your face.

By the way: don't let the posts about cuts, nicks and blood in general hold you back. If you don't use any pressure, have an "ok" angle and have a wet face with good lather, it'll be hard to cut yourself.

What I did on my first shaves was to not add any extra pressure and try to get a 30degree angle but all this depends on the structure of your face etc. I soon found out that on certain places a little extra pressure and another angle was needed. You will learn this in time while getting the technique under control.

I would say: don't go with the balloons but try it on your arms.

**With The Grain** · 08-17-2006, 10:19 AM

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**With The Grain** · 08-17-2006, 11:05 AM

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Tye · 08-17-2006, 11:10 AM

I have two friends who learned to shave with a straight razor by practising with balloons, both for ex-boyfriends of theirs. The advice they gave me was 'practice doing it in the bathtub'.

-Tye

**rustyblade** · 08-17-2006, 11:11 AM

A simple way to figure out the proper shaving angle is to shave a little bit of hair off of the back of your hand and take a close look at what is going on and what angle shaves the hair correctly.

**vox_rox** · 08-17-2006, 01:10 PM

Really, just lather up and figure out the angle doing what you need to do. So you end up with the first shave, or two, or three, that are sub-par because you're learning. Isn't this still the best way to learn?

If you don't quite get the hair on your arm shaved properly, what do you do when you actually hold that thing up to your face? The angle will be all different.

I just think the learning is best done in the doing. There is a curve, and you just need to follow it. But just like the curve of a rainbow, there's something very special at the end, and it's even more special if you find your way there with an open mind and patience.

Geez, I sound like some kind of Zen master. Maybe I am, and I don't even know it. Is that even possible?

Peace,

Pierre

**Jim** · 08-17-2006, 01:27 PM

Pierre

Zen is where you find it

**ada8356** · 08-17-2006, 01:59 PM

I can only imagine the mess from a few pratice balloons! There would be shaving cream everywhere!!

**vox_rox** · 08-17-2006, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Goosemeplease

Pierre

Zen is where you find it

Like Gandhi said: "Be the Zen you wish to see in the world."

Actually, he said "Be the change you wish to see in the world" and I've gone and screwed that up, but it's okay, I love Gandhi and he loves me.

You know what they say - Zen happens.

Peace,

Pierre