Posted: 11/18/2013 8:11:01 PM EDT
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Seriously, WTF.?
How do you use one? Down or up? 
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Quoted:
Seriously, WTF.? How do you use one? Down or up? You start by checking out www.badgerandblade.com. It's kinda like the Arfcom of shaving, minus the BS that goes on in GD. |
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You shave with a straight razor in the same directions, generally, that you would with a double-edge. That is, with the grain on the first pass, across on the second, and against on the third. With a REAL razor, you're not looking to peel your face off in one pass. You're shaving the hair down a little with each pass. I used to spend the time and do a 3-pass shave, but I generally do a 1-pass now, with a two-pass if I've let it go for 4 or 5 days (because the first pass on 5-day growth won't be the same as the first pass on 1-day growth).
I use a DE razor (a 1965 Gillette Tech), but I'd love to try a straight razor. The stropping is the one thing that keeps me from throwing down on one. |
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I am staying at safety razor. I own a straight razor, but lack the nerve, and the wish to strop. This right here, plus I'm somewhat fond of my handsome mug. Not to mention safety razors don't necessarily break the bank so "training wheels" are good enough. |
| I learned years ago... Like 20 years ago... An its not a pick it up and do it affair at all. Like anything worthy of a man it takes time and patience to learn to do well. It would take me a little while to be able to do it again now. Don't rush, and don't rush. Two biggest tips I have. Use a shaving oil, or shaving soap. The barbisol don't really do it. Do it at least an hour after you wake up, let your face settle. It's swollen and puffy in the morning. Use hot as you can take it water. Like boiling shrimp hot. Take your time. It's actually really good for your face muscles as you stretch and contort them daily. Hard on the skin at first. Takes awhile to get used to like using an electric. Give it time. If you want to practice just do it when you get home. Not before bed! You'll wake up with a wicked rash. When you get it down start getting up early and hit the blade when you get out of the shower. Use a safety razor to get the burns square, and probably under your nose too that's a tough spot. |
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All these tips are great, especially the one that says DON'T GET IN A HURRY.
Badger & Blade is a great place to learn wet shaving, and if you want a cheap straight razor that's useable, check with http://www.whippeddog.com/ -- you can get a good, useable razor at a good price. It won't be new, and the scales might even be cracked, but the metal will be great. As mentioned earlier, canned shaving cream just doesn't cut the mustard. Get a good brush, and a nice soap. I like Cella, but Bigelow shaving cream from Bath & Body Works is easy to find and works well with a brush. As for the actual shaving -- when you first start out with a SR, just shave down your cheeks with it, using short strokes, then finish with either a double-edge safety razor or whatever you have now. With experience, you can shave more area, and soon enough you can try against the grain and across the grain. And remember -- DON'T GET IN A HURRY. |