Thread: Thebigspendurs axioms of shaving

I absolutely totally agree with the one that says you must give the shave 100% concentration...if you don't, you will pay! I know, I have the scar or three to prove it!

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

+1
Yes, Keep a DE or even a toss away (BiC or the like) handy
for the days when the str8 is not right.

And sure if you have a rotation of str8s or a feather then what you
reach for when todays edge is unexpectedly dull or mismatched
to your face is up to you.

And always if you had a good shave yesterday -- walking away could be an option.

The DE is a great idea, I bought one when I began a year ago. There are days when one is a hurry, and it's best not to use the straight. Not leaving the straight touching the skin because your hand may involuntarily move and you get cut like I did. And buy a razor from a vendor that sells them honed. I bought my first straight razor from SRD a Dovo Best Quality 5/8 half hollow, messed it up with bad stropping but with the 8000 Norton brought it back to life. For a long time while I learned I alternated between the straight, a Parker shavette, and the DE. I used to shave one or two days with the straight per week, now the straight is the norm and only when in a hurry I pick up the DE. Also a DE can help if you start with the straight and some situation pops up that you have to hurry. This is really a great thread. I've learned a lot.

Don't Cook Bacon While Shaving Naked!

Thank you guys for the tips.

I'm a long time DE user, with which I always get BBS. That is to say that I know how my face looks like when I'm done shaving.

Now it's two weeks I'm using a straight razor, bur reading this thread I understand that there must be something wrong in my techinique or in my razor or both. The first pass, following the grain, doesn't remove much, just a rough removal. I couldn't go out that way. Then the two ATG I do still leave a some hair, especially on the chin. Not a BBS at all, I must finish with the dear old DE not to seem too strange!

I've seen videos where people get a very good shave just with the first WTG pass, so I think my razor is not sharp enought. I tried honing with a chinese 12000 and it helped a bit, but there's still a lot to improve. The razor cuts my arm's hair easily. What am I doing wrong?

I know you have little elements to answer, but, any help would be very appreciated.
Thanks.

My tips is (it works with the DE at least): put the razor in hot water, it shaves better than when it's cold.

Well, I think your razor is not as okay as you may think. For me, my razor on the first pass is always good enough. When I shave, the only place I even do more than one pass is on my neck, where I do a couple. First wtg, second atg, and then I feel for any bit of beard that "feels" to be longer, yet I can't see it. The same for my facial area as well. I do sometimes trim it up a little, but only after feeling around and feeling if it is really needed (it's in the feel, if you get my meaning). I mean, unless you have a beard like that big guy from that show "Highway to Heaven," you might need to go the whole route; but, by and large, I think sometimes some people over shave. I don't really know what to tell you. Maybe you should have a razor professionally honed so to at least give you a point of reference. Because, I can say truthfully, something's not right with your current method. And you should probably begin there. I mean, this should be a pleasant experience, not an episode that you regret you have to perform every day. Personally, I find my shaving to be a pleasant experience. I put my little radio on and I go into my own world for a short time. I also no longer fear it. Since I haven't cut myself in ages, the occasional little nick here and there keeps me on my toes. By and large, for me, it's the pleasure of using the varying shapes and sizes of razors in my working collection; and, make no mistake, my razors are gainfully employed. Razors were meant to be used and if you're just a pretty face that does not perform, well then, you're out of here. So, that's where I would begin if I were you. Make sure you have an extremely (scar-sharp [I love that term]) razor. And get yourself some chro-ox; strop the bugger; and, keep us informed.