Nervous beginner.

[Loganpass]

Before you start, take the phone off the hook and dial 9-1. That way you only have to hit 1 if you run into a problem.

I know. That's just not funny.

Actually, it's kinda funny. But that aside... doing a good prep will help (shower or maybe a hot towel, pre-shave lotion if you've got it etc...) Make up a little more lather than usual and re-lather as often as you need to keep a good layer of lubricant on your face. It helped me to try out the hand positions without a blade loaded. The rather unfamiliar positions necessary were my biggest hurdle. Go slow and be amazed at the whiskers that a single pass will wipe out!

 

[Mike78]

So heres my report back.

There was one mistake I kept reading about over the past week or two and I thought that I would be well prepared for it. But on my second or third pass I managed to do it. I cut my ear.

Obviously a straight is that bit longer then the DE, so when I was focusing on sideburns and trying to think about what angle to hold the blade at and what pressure to apply - I lost thought of where the tip of the blade was swinging and slicing.

I just did the sideburns for today. Apart from the ear cut (which hurt like crazy) I was only left with a few nicks here and there as I was getting the hang of what kind of pressure/angles would be needed. But there was nothing too serious that wont be gone in a few days time.

I only went WTG with the featherartist. I was a bit disapointed with the result to be quite honest. I have gotten far better results going WTG with my DE; but then again I have been using a DE for way too many years at this stage. However I expect to see better results over the next few months as I perfect my techniques and get more experience.

Overall Im pretty happy with how it went... and Im even happier that I waited until I was on holidays from work before trying this out. I really couldn't afford to go into work with cuts all over my face.

So thanks for all the advice and inspiration everyone. I really appreciate it.

 

[sir-nix-alot]

You just have to jump in and do it all is one swoop. I am not sure what dilly dallying around shaving just your side burns accomplish when you have a whole face, with a ton of variable angles and hand positions to master. I know it is overwhelming standing in front of the mirror with a straight - but nothing is going to make that disappear other than repetition.

You're on vacation - lather up - take your time - enjoy.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

When my straights arrive next week, I plan on getting good on the easy areas and then I'll move on to the neck and chin. I already have too many scars!

 

[cpcohen1945]

. . Someone recently suggested that the blade should be in motion when hitting the skin to reduce the chance of a nick. I guess I'll find out soon enough! . . .

FWIW --

That's one of dumbest suggestions I've ever heard!

The Feather AC requires _no pressure_ to cut beard hair. Just put the blade against your skin, lift the spine _slightly_, and move the razor at right angles to the edge. That is, don't "slice" diagonally (that _will_ cut you!).

Lift the spine just enough so that the edge cuts hair. And, as others suggested, start with the easy parts -- cheeks. Leave the hard parts -- chin, under the nose -- until you've got some skill and confidence.

Charles

 

[cleanshaved]

If you feel like you can do more give it a go.
Going into my first straight shave I was only going to do the cheeks. After the cheeks I felt good so I just kept going.
Result was a 3 pass shave WTG XTG & ATG.
Stretch the skin, keep the lather wet, reapply if it dries !!! light pressure, take your time and don't forget to breath

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

Lots of good advice already from others. Don't let the Feather intimidate you, when I first tried it I was worrying about being cut to pieces after reading all the horror story's. Never happened and the shaves became easier in time. I have to admit that I was used to straight razor shaving before that. The most important thing I have found is to continue using the feather and not switching to another system until you got the hang of it. The first few shaves where not perfect for me but I didn't finish with another razor, I just walked around with a less then good shaven face, this in turn made me put a lot more effort into it and within a very short time I could shave with the feather and get a BBS in just 2 passes (and only 1 for my head). Have a nice weekend

 

[AjaxLepinski]

FWIW --
Just put the blade against your skin, lift the spine _slightly_, and move the razor at right angles to the edge. That is, don't "slice" diagonally (that _will_ cut you!).
Lift the spine just enough so that the edge cuts hair. And, as others suggested, start with the easy parts -- cheeks. Leave the hard parts -- chin, under the nose -- until you've got some skill and confidence.

Charles

Sounds like good advise to me! Just got my first straight in the mail today. My first straight shave is scheduled for Sunday morning! Wish me luck!!!

 

[CHSeifert]

I'm waiting for my first straight to arrive. Someone recently suggested that the blade should be in motion when hitting the skin to reduce the chance of a nick. I guess I'll find out soon enough! Good luck and can't wait to hear about your experience.

Worst advice I've ever heard in here yet

 

[AjaxLepinski]

Worst advice I've ever heard in here yet

Glad I checked back! I'll be taking my first straight shave tomorrow morning... certainly don't want to start off with bad advise.
I've been trying to find the thread with the bad advise without any luck.