Getting started wetshaving - the early days and a painful lesson

I received a safety razor as a gift for Christmas a couple years ago.  Woot.  I was finally making the switch from cartridge razors to double-edge.  I was excited and a bit nervous.  I do have sensitive skin and I shave everyday for work.  So, naturally, I was a little bit scared about how shaving with the double-edge razor would go.  The safety razor came with a five-pack of double-edge blades.  They were decent quality, but not the best.  I figured it would be best to do a trial run of the wetshave using a double-edge razor on a day I wasn't scheduled to work.  So I chose to do the unthinkable and shave while on vacation.  I usually sport a vacation beard whenever possible, so this was a big departure from the norm.  Anyhow, I began my wetshave routine and then it hit me that I really didn't know how to use the safety razor.  I stopped, read a little about it online, and decided to give it a go.  I was disappointed with my initial results.  I wasn't placing the razor properly onto my skin, so I gave myself some nicks.  I also used way too much force with the razor, rather than letting the weight of the razor do the work.  Unhappy with the results, I regrouped and read a bit more online.

Next time I shaved, the results were much better.  Not too bad.  After a couple shaves, I got a little bit of shaving swag and decided to try the double-edge razor on my head.  Bad mistake.  I was nowhere near comfortable enough with it and it was a painful lesson.  I gashed my ear pretty good and didn't have any styptic at the time.  Ears can bleed like mad if you don't have a way to stop the bleeding!  There were a number of other nicks on my head too - not fun.  Proficiency with a safety razor takes a bit of time.  It's like re-learning to shave.  It's all part of the process I suppose.  Don't be discouraged if your results aren't great at first.  It takes practice, but to me it was well worth it.

Intro

This blog is an overview on my experience of wetshaving and using double-edge razors.  I have been wet-shaving for about 10 years now and made the switch to double-edge razors a few years ago.  For a dude, I have pretty sensitive skin and I have gone through countless products and methods to try to minimize the damage of shaving to my face.


The combination of wet-shaving with quality shaving soaps or creams, and a solid double-edge razor has been the best thing to happen to my skin.  Before I made the plunge to double-edge razors, there was a bit of apprehension.  I guess I was nervous about cutting my face up to pieces.  It was a little intimidating at first, but I caught on pretty quick.  Shaving become far more enjoyable - I guess about as enjoyable as it can be.  I hope to be able to share my experiences and offer my take on some of the products I have used.  For anybody contemplating making the switch to wet-shaving, consider these benefits:

• Close, less irritated shave
• Price of double-edge razors
• It's an old-school lost art
• Makes you feel like a man!

Follow this blog as I share my adventures and experiences.