alright so i am 6 shave in with a DE and needless to say im concerned the first pic is after my 3rd and final pass the next 2 are from an hour after. OUCHIES!!!!!
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alright so i am 6 shave in with a DE and needless to say im concerned the first pic is after my 3rd and final pass the next 2 are from an hour after. OUCHIES!!!!!
Slow down Fast Eddie,,,,,,,,,,,,:rofl2:
Angle, stretching, and prep, looks like you are using an aggressive set up.
Are you anywhere near an experienced member that may be able to give you some hands on guidance? (put your location in your profile)
Remember there is no shame in not hitting those trouble spots until you are more comfortable especially with XTG and ATG passes.
and let those heal up before you shave again. Way easier to cut yourself again while they are still raised. Trust me. I know...
Also try less pressure, basically don't press down at all and let the blade do the work. If you have been using a cartridge razor you probably are in the habit of using pressure. Check your angle as well, it should 30 degrees or less. If you are using any kind of adjustable DE set it to the lightest setting for now until you are better at it.
What are you using for a razor and blades?
Keep working at it, because it does get better. All these guys have brought up great points. Blade selection can play a giant role as stated. What's your hardware look like?
Located about 20 mins South of Boston. And I'm using a merkur he 34c. I think. It's the beginner set up from shave nationQuote:
Originally Posted by aa1192
Welcome to the fraternity, Eddie!
Please, can you tell us about your face prep? While it is very important, I am inclined to agree with the "slow down" and barely weight of the DE pressure.
Oh, and buy a styptic stick. They work best when on the sink next to you. It's only when you forget to have it on the sink, ready, that you cut yourself, it seems. ;)
Brother Siguy speaks the truth :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Siguy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siguy
Face prep is a shower. Then it's whip out the bowl brush and make lather and off to the races
Then maybe you better keep a styptic stick in the car too,,,:beer2:
FastEddie or me???Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
Eddie,
Hirlau is an accomplished DE shaver, maybe he can give a bit of insight.
I know I will be bugging him soon as I get ready to try them.
That should be a great setup. If you are 6 shaves in you probably should have changed blades at about shave 4, if not, that could be an issue as well. My best guess is still to much pressure or angle. The curved part of the razor head should be touching your face as you shave, if it doesn't that would be an angle issue
Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE427
This is all just a precursor to eventually dropping alot of money on a straight razor it just looks so funQuote:
Originally Posted by pfries
Is the tight Ness of the blade possibly an issue I put the blade in and tighten it down all the wayQuote:
Originally Posted by rodb
It should be tight (but not so tight that it's hard to get a part)
Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE427
That's how I have itQuote:
Originally Posted by rodb
You don't have to drop a ton to get a great set up, even new.Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE427
I do enjoy the ritual, I have made it my time out of the day.
Having 5 children, two grown now three still at home that time has become important to me, even if it is a quick shave which I hate to do.
Slow down and be patient, it will come and it is so much better IMO than the other options out there (better is to say wet shaving in general).
But pace yourself, it is not a race, we all learn and pick up on things in our own time.
I'm feeling much better already
There are ways to start on the cheap. Quite doable. Just don't dive into an empty pool. The guys can help you. There has been many a trail blazed before us by SRPers. I wouldn't be where I am or not at all in straight razor shaving had it not been for this site and the people here. Oh, and the dogged desire to learn.
Completely doable, Eddie. Just need to take it slow.
If you haven't already, watch some of Mantics shave videos. They are excellent
http://youtu.be/ufG1dPmVo8Q
That advice was for Fast Eddie,,,,,,,,My DE knowledge is limited, but I do enjoy them. Keep your eyes open Pat for old Gillette razors lying around in antique stores & thift stores. There are some real deals just needing a good cleaning.Quote:
Originally Posted by pfries
Well I am out in Worcester; I am not an expert in any way but am always happy to help. I would love also to start a Mass/NE meet up. I have yet to find a meet up for the Massholes. It's getting pretty hard to bring up wet shaving in casual convo, so I need to meet some fellow shavers. I have my own motives as well being a rookie I'd love to soak up some first hand knowledge.Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE427
Me too I've only been straight shaving for just over a month but it has become my little bit of "me" time. I don't have 5 kids just the one who is just over a year old. Once I get home from work I take over from mum, give the wee one her tea, have a little play, bath, milk and settle down for bed..........Then its bath for me and SHAVE time. Until I started with the straight I always used a mach3 and shaving was just overall something I did to look presentable at work, now I look forward to the end of the day when I can relax, get all the stuff out and take time out :)Quote:
Originally Posted by pfries
Fast Eddie
I shaved 15 years with a de before I used a straight. I got that same look of blood spots as you as we'll. it took awhile for me to find the correct angle, and a blade that work for me and my setup. Really slow down, don't hurry it up. I can only get 2 good shave days out of a blade, than a new one. Your face is not used to that sharpness either, it takes time to toughen it up. A good practice is a shave in the afternoon without the shower when my face is less sensitive. This is my tests shave time when I have honed.
Making 3 passes before you get the angle and "stuff" figured will only create more weepers. I can get 2 days before I need another shave with one pass on the de. It is all technique.
Like it was said. Let your face heal. Make 1 good pass. Then add in small spots. Treat it like your straight shaving, baby steps. Makes it better.
With lather, maybe try and work those sensitive spots a bit with a face lather to try and get lather all around those hairs for skin protection. Don't over work the area.
This is all about experimentation to find what works for you.
Have fun man, it gets better.
My face looked way worse than that when I started. I could have played a role in a bloody horror movie. A styptic pen will stop the bleeding. It will leave a white residue, but you can wipe if off after a short time. I usually shave first thing in the morning, eat breakfast, then wash my face of residue.
Here's what I did to overcome the shaving problems:
1) Hot shower to soak my face and hairs, and don't let your face dry before you shave. Shaving in a hot shower is the best.
2) Good lather.
3) Skin stretching.
4) Beard reduction;multiple passes.
5) Shaved the night before, then in the morning, for about a month.
6) Merkur slant with the right blade (Astra), replaced weekly.
7) About 1 month before my face was conditioned to blade shaving.
Something magically happened after a month. I think it was skin conditioning.
Jake
Too much pressure
Lather quality
Dull Blade
I have not mastered the DE ye, but I am becoming more proficient. I see less red bumps like you have. There is also the possibility you need to try a different blade or a different razor.
I think you simply got better at using the razor. :chapeauQuote:
Originally Posted by snakyjake
Write a will. :yQuote:
Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE427
Har. Just kidding. Before I picked up a DE for the second time in 40 years a guy gave me a tip. After prep and lather, place the top of the razor flat on the bottom of a sideburn. Slide it slowly down your cheek, no pressure, gradually tipping the handle downward until the moment you feel/hear whiskers being cut. Continue, keeping that angle (or flatter) and you should have no worries. Good luck!
aa1192- I'm in Southern NH and would be interested in a meet up. I am a rookie too so we will need to find a suitable source of knowledge to drain.......
Fast Eddie- +1 on Mantics videos. Notice in some of his videos he holds the razor by the very end. That makes it harder to apply pressure inadvertently. What blades are you using??
Sorry for highjacking this thread topic, but does anyone know of a New England meet. I may start a thread in meet ups so we can throw around the idea and see who is interested. SWMBO will not be happy to learn our place may host a meet up mwuhahaha.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gran8man
Less pressure, shorter strokes.
Hey guys thanks for all the advice I went through 2 feather blades in 6 shaves. I think in going to heal up and switch over to the chroma premium (?) next shave and see how they work I'll be watching mantis videos later todayQuote:
Originally Posted by DickWhitman
It seems you also have a mild case of acne (this to shall pass)
Until than, not alot you can do.
Feather blades are the sharpest but least forgiving blade out there. Good move trying a different blade at least for now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE427
+1 less pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by DickWhitman
In fact: don't apply any pressure. Let the razor rest lightly against your face.
Resist ALL desires to apply any pressure.
Nearly all razors have sufficient weight to cut without you pressing on them. Let the razor set the pressure.
Once you apply pressure: you're exposing yourself to all the other flaws in your technique (angle, lather, motion, etc...).
Go to a 2 pass shave instead of a 3 pass shave. with and across the grain. And derby blades I have discovered are a bit gentler. Gives those a try.
Jump back up to 3 passes when you get better and are comfortable with the 2 passes