Thread: "Beginner?" How long does that last?

Now I could answer that question in a few ways; how comfortable am I with my shaving technique? Am I competently honing (despite the beginners shouldn't hone thread!) Am I able to answer other's questions about wet shaving in general? Confidence!
At the same time, I absolutely acknowledge that this skill can take a lifetime to master in some ways, and the learning will go as far as I want it to. I also realize that after just four months of very immersive shaving (and fast-track RAD treatments) I completely embody an enthusiastic "beginner." If at all possible I feel like I have crammed at least a year's experience into four months of reading, browsing, emailing, shaving, honing, stropping, upgrading, thinking, questioning, teaching, learning....
I like saying I'm a beginner, but I don't really feel like one. Then again, that's probably just my ego chiming in.
Did I mention the stellar shave I got this morning???

So how would you answer the question? How long did you feel like a "beginner?" What helped you think of yourself as beyond the "beginner" stage? Time? Accomplishment?

The first time I posted in "The Workshop" and "Custom Builts" Sections I felt like I was playing with the big boys in the school yard. And then instantly I became a different type of "Beginner".

If you don't feel like a beginner then you probably are not. Are you making good lather consistently, and have you cut down on nicks in your strop or razor burn on your face? If so, then I would say you have past the "beginning" hurdles of this hobby.

I've been at this off and on for 15+ years now. I am still learning with every shave. In that sense I suppose I could consider myself still somewhat of a beginner. Honing is the same way. I think that as soon as I stop learning, it will no longer be fun and once again become a chore.

It depends on each individual person.
That is the best answer I could come up with.

I can only speak (write) for me. As for the act of straight razor shaving, I'm definitely a beginner and it looks like we joined SRP about the same time, so I'm not coming at this from any more experience than you.

I will say this, any expert in his field should still be learning. The learning we do as beginners can never stop. Even as experts, when we give advice to others who may be looking to us, we need to keep in mind the concept YMMV. Maybe as we become better at our chosen hobbies, that's a concept that we learn more and more. This art is definitely not what one would consider cut and dried. What works for me may work for you and it may not. An expert might say to someone with less experience, "Incorporate my ideas and make them your own."

That's probably not the answer you're looking for, and I'm definitely not an experienced pro at any of this so I'm not coming from the perspective you're looking for, either. However, I think the transition from beginner to competent expert is gradual, not exactly something you can really point to.

I've been wrong before.

I'm still a beginner. Enjoy your shaves and don't worry about labels.

James.

Hi, I'm Mike, and I'm a beginner!!!

I've been fighting the good fight for almost a year!! (looking forward to my first anniversary). I'm still a beginner, because no matter how much I think I know, there are 50 others that know more and remind me how little I know.

Just when you think you have it, you figure out the hard way you DO NOT!!!

I enjoy being a beginner, and if I have to be a beginner forever, that's ok. As long as I'm enjoying myself, getting the occasional good shave, and the thrill of collecting stuff, then I'm ok with being a beginner.

Nothing wrong with beginning something new!!!

M

Ive been doing this off and on since '78, admittedly I am an older beginner.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm still a beginner. Enjoy your shaves and don't worry about labels.

James.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Ive been doing this off and on since '78, admittedly I am an older beginner.

I'm with these guys. Looking at it as a set of objectives or a progression seems like it detracts from the fun of it. Although my shaving routine is fairly well established and generally effective, I occassionally have not so great shaves or try someting that goes horribly wrong. If I have such days, I just kind of get through it the best I can and hope for a great shave tomorrow (most of the time I get them too.) You're no longer a beginner when you stop being concerned about being called a beginner or how long it takes to not be a beginner. Unfortunately there is no belt system in straight razor shaving. If there were, I'm pretty sure Nun2 and Jimbo would be 3rd degree black belts. They've both probably forgotten more about straight shaving than you and I put together currently know but are still humble enough to identify themselves as beginners. That's what it's all about.

After two years of daily usage I’m still a beginner! While I now consistently get great shaves, I still make mistakes and get ‘Bit’! Matter of fact, I got ‘bit’ on the last two shaves. When that happens I don’t share my love of shaving with a straight with non-believers because my selling point answer when they reply "it sounds dangerous", I reply “Do I look all cut to hell”? I’ll have to keep my mouth shut and wait a few days to get healed up!