Thread: 1/2 and 1/2 shave

I shaved the right side of my face with the the straight razor yesterday. Then I shaved the left side with a safety razor. Lately I have been avoiding the chin and mustache area and finishing that with a DE. Yesterday I just kept on shaving with my right hand and did the whole right side of my face. Switched to the DE for the whole left side of my face. The DE was a lot quicker and easier. Both sides were shaved smooth and no nicks or irritation. So I think I am starting to get okay shaving skills with the straight. At this rate I will be doing the whole shave with the straight pretty soon!

-----Michael

Michael,

Good for you! It's quite possible that your DE will be quicker and easier for some time. Your enjoyment level though, may be increased by using the straight!

I use a straight most days, followed by a DE for cleanup. My shave using the straight alone is not yet fully acceptable, but I find that my shave is closer and my skin smoother if I use the straight first followed by my DE rather than the DE alone. I also get less irritation from the DE when used after the straight based on the level of skin burn felt when applying AS. At some point, I expect that my straight shave will become good enough to dispense with the DE followup. In the mean time, I am learning a lot about using my straights, my beard growth, and stropping without feeling any frustration about not yet getting BBS or DFS using the straight alone.

Frustration is a sign to put the SR down and use something else. You have many, many shaves ahead of you, and with patience and practice the frustration will abate. Pushing on is good with some things, but it doesn't pay off with a straight razor.

I still do a bit of a hybrid. Straight for 3 passes then the DE for touchups. Just can't seem to get the neck with straight only.

When I first started out I would do WTG and XTG with the straight and all of the ATG with the DE. Nothing wrong with whatever method you use. The goal is a smooth, irritation free shave.

Have fun, stick with it and it'll all come together.

Charlie

Like an idiot, I just dove into it full throttle. Only have 5 SR shave under my belt, and a few more nicks than I had anticipated. But being a fireman I am well versed in the old adage, "Time with the tools". If you don't use it, and use it often, when you need it you won't have the skills to do it.

I'm still only shaving WTG, but I'm getting more confident with each stroke.

Originally Posted by BossManBill

Like an idiot, I just dove into it full throttle. Only have 5 SR shave under my belt, and a few more nicks than I had anticipated. But being a fireman I am well versed in the old adage, "Time with the tools". If you don't use it, and use it often, when you need it you won't have the skills to do it.

I'm still only shaving WTG, but I'm getting more confident with each stroke.

Been straight razor shaving for year and a half, still just WTG...