Thread: Face hurts when shaving with straight razor.

I'm using a carbon steel straight razor and it cuts fairly close if I do it the right way. I am using a good shaving cream so I know that is not the problem. When I am shaving my face hurts and I cannot understand why this is. I can actually hear the blade cutting the hairs which I don't think is a good sign. I switched the shaving with a disposable bic razor that I have used several times and I did not get the same problem. My guess is the straight razor will be sharper than the disposable razor because I have used the disposable razor several times so I don't think it's a problem with sharpness. I have tried putting a dab of olive oil on my cheeks and then re-apply the shaving cream but no joy. Any ideas?

Generally it is too much pressure. Blade angle being too steep could also be a cause. Scraping the skin. It is not supposed to be like scraping ice from a windshield. Rather it is the blade gliding over the skin shearing the whiskers. Hearing the blade cutting the whiskers is quite normal. The expression "singing razor" derives from that if I am not mistaken. After you develop your skills and learn the scything stroke that also will be more user friendly. Skin stretching is also very important. Make sure you are keeping the area you're shaving taut. Not maxed out tight, but snug.

Will agree with Jimmy that it likely the pressure or angle. Really there should be no pressure just contact. Also what razor are you using and was it pro honed. Is it the skin that is hurting or is it hair tugging? A couple bit of info that may help us give a better answer

What brand of straight razor are you using?

Thanks for your replies. I'm using a Dovo blade. The razor did come fully honed. I have tried it with difference angles but still same results. I have tried putting very light pressure on big I don't feel it makes much difference. Also the blade does tend to pull the hair. The only thing I can of is perhaps I am not stropping it correctly.

Angle and pressure as stated above. Good lather does make a difference but not as much as scraping your face with to large an angle. You are sure the razor is not the problem? Sometimes we compensate for a razor that is not sharp enough by adding a bit if pressure.

How would I check if the razor is sharp enough?

Originally Posted by gsingh13

How would I check if the razor is sharp enough?

Without seeing you shave, the razor firsthand it is hard to say definitively, but in general, if it is pulling it isn't sharp enough. If you are properly lubricating the skin with a good lather, and properly stretching the skin, a truly shave ready razor will not pull. At least not with my particular whiskers, I can't say for sure how it is for anyone else, since I've never shaved anyone else. It should be at least as good as a twin blade disposable if not better.

Originally Posted by gsingh13

Thanks for your replies. I'm using a Dovo blade. The razor did come fully honed. I have tried it with difference angles but still same results. I have tried putting very light pressure on big I don't feel it makes much difference. Also the blade does tend to pull the hair. The only thing I can of is perhaps I am not stropping it correctly.

You may have dulled the razor with your stropping. How many shaves have you done with the razor and is this your first straight razor?

Bob

Most likely your razor is not shave ready, or you are using too much pressure.