First try with a straight: Meh results, but it somehow changed my DE shaving!

Hi All,

Thanks to everyone for all the discussion and resources here; I've gotten sucked into wanting to try straight razor shaving. I've been a DE shaver for a while but never gave it much thought or fuss, just shaved and dealt with the redness afterward using witch hazel. However, I got a Weck Sextoblade disposable blade straight last week, shaved with it for four days (when Ive had time and not in a hurry to get to work). Something changed in my shaving, magically on its own!

So, the shave from the Weck was surprisingly easy and cut-free. I've been really disappointed, though, in the lack of closeness. I've tried doing several passes, WTG > XTG > ATG, I've tried more aggressive shaving angles, etc, but it looks like I still have a lot to figure out, because I can still feel the sandpaper stubble and some cactus hairs left over right after shaving. Anyway, I'll have to work on that, but the best outcome came on Monday morning when I switched back to my DE razor to shave quickly before work. BBS all around, and absolutely *no* irritation! I'm used to and expect BBS, but no irritation is new! This has been consistent now for three days, I'm happy to observe. I've always just thought that I have sensitive skin and, whatever, I might as well live with the redness after shaving. But, no! Obviously I've gained a new habit of some kind from the Weck that has drastically improved my DE shaving as well. Go figure!

It's possible that I'm moving my face around differently now, or maybe I've changed the angle, or the pressure, or maybe all of the above. I couldn't tell you what, exactly, though, since I've never thought about it before, and I can't go back in time to see what I was doing differently. Huh!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to continuing to figure out this Weck. I'm assuming that the closeness of shaves will improve? It'll be a weekend task, though, as I usually am in a hurry to get to work in the morning on weekdays.

Specifics, if someone is interested:
- The Weck has black plastic scales, "Trade Sample" label, and Personna hair shaper blades. Has a guard but I've never bothered to use it. Three passes: WTG, XTG, ATG.
- DE razor is a Gillette Single Ring (i.e. old type) with Feather blades. Two passes: XTG, ATG.
- Reported results were consistent with both Haslinger and WMS shave soaps.

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First try with a straight: Meh results, but it somehow changed my DE shaving!