Thread: Well, managed it a lot quicker than expected.

Ive only had 5 goes with my straight and the last 2 times have been just using my straight for a full face shave. Quite impressed myself.

Unfortunately I can only shave about once a week as I get severe irritation so my shaves have been at least a week apart.
I am enjoying using my razor though and it does make me sweat while I'm using it as the fear/respect is certainly still there.

My advice to new users is to respect the blade and take your time. It seems to have worked for me.

Originally Posted by Noidle

Ive only had 5 goes with my straight and the last 2 times have been just using my straight for a full face shave. Quite impressed myself.

Unfortunately I can only shave about once a week as I get severe irritation so my shaves have been a least a week apart.
I am enjoying using my razor though and it does make me sweat while I'm using it as the fear/respect is certainly still there.

My advice to new users is to respect the blade and take your time. It seems to have worked for me.

All I can say, having made essentially your same discovery (although I use a SR 4-5 times/week) is keep your concentration! As I stated in an "oops" thread, a few seconds lack of focus can show you how sharp your razor is

OP

I think you are right on about having respect for, not fear of, the blade and taking your time. Have you any idea of what is causing your skin to be so irritated that you can only shave once a week because of it?

Bob

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

All I can say, having made essentially your same discovery (although I use a SR 4-5 times/week) is keep your concentration! As I stated in an "oops" thread, a few seconds lack of focus can show you how sharp your razor is

I gave myself a little nick on my 2nd attempt with my straight but nothing major, I just calmly put it down and finished my shave with the nasty Mach3.
Since then I've bought a styptic pen but not had need to take it out of the packaging yet.

Originally Posted by BobH

OP

I think you are right on about having respect for, not fear of, the blade and taking your time. Have you any idea of what is causing your skin to be so irritated that you can only shave once a week because of it?

Bob

I thought it was the poor razor and was hoping the straight would help.
My face, especially my throat feels sore and I tend to break out in spots around the crease in my neck which make it very hard to shave without making a big mess.
Even brushing soap on my throat after a couple of days is sore, so I gave up on it for now.

sounds like too much pressure and i think you could benefit from trying cold water shaving.

are you trying to go atg and xtg as well?

This is just how my face has been since I started shaving, about 16 years ago.
I just kinda learnt to live with it.
I will try a cold shave next time but its getting to winter now so it won't be ideal! Lol.

Consider a cold-water shave in the evening. I don't like the cold water in my face in the morning now that it's getting colder, but I wouldn't mind in the evening. As for the irritation, apart from the good advice above, I suggest running the razor over each spot literally once. It may leave stubbly patches of skin, but may help reduce the irritation, which I think is more important. When you develop your technique, this approach should also be enough to still get the BBS result that so many people (including me) covet.

Originally Posted by Noidle

I thought it was the poor razor and was hoping the straight would help.
My face, especially my throat feels sore and I tend to break out in spots around the crease in my neck which make it very hard to shave without making a big mess.
Even brushing soap on my throat after a couple of days is sore, so I gave up on it for now.

Your razor needs to be sharp and smooth, how long has it been since it was honed well? Yea, the throat and neck are problem spots for sure. If your razor is sharp you need a very, very light touch with the right angle on the blade and some skin stretching. If I try hard enough with enough pressure while lathering I can give myself a good case of skin irritation with a brush. Maybe lighten up on the pressure there too. It takes a lot of time to get everything right and I am guessing by your join date you haven't been at this too long so possibly with time things will work out.

Bob

Almost forgot, I like cold water shaves and do it year round.

Originally Posted by Noidle

Ive only had 5 goes with my straight and the last 2 times have been just using my straight for a full face shave. Quite impressed myself.

Unfortunately I can only shave about once a week as I get severe irritation so my shaves have been at least a week apart.
I am enjoying using my razor though and it does make me sweat while I'm using it as the fear/respect is certainly still there.

My advice to new users is to respect the blade and take your time. It seems to have worked for me.

Might the irritation also be a reaction to the soap, pre/post lotion? Combined perhaps with too rough a shave that predisposes the skin to irritation?