Thread: Sensitivity issues

I don't know if you face lather and what brush you use, but you could also check your lathering technique. At one point, I blamed a cream for the irritation I was suffering. Turned out I was being too aggressive with a brush that my skin couldn't take much of. You could try painting strokes or a brush with softer tips.

Originally Posted by KarloT

I don't know if you face lather and what brush you use, but you could also check your lathering technique. At one point, I blamed a cream for the irritation I was suffering. Turned out I was being too aggressive with a brush that my skin couldn't take much of. You could try painting strokes or a brush with softer tips.

Yes, for sure you can redden your face that way like razor burn. Did that face lathering.

Bob

I know I am not on par yet with my lathering, but I have been adding a snurdle of cream to my soap to alleviate any lack of lubrication. I am currently using the badger brush that comes in the Van Der Hagen kit. It is a little coarse, but once the nurn starts, it is hard to tell if the brush makes it worse or not!

If the seller offered to re hone your Gold Dollar, send it back.

Some guys do actually know how to make them shave and it is pretty common for new guys to ruin an edge, by stropping with too much pressure or a contaminated strop.

You should buy a decent strop, there are several in the 50 dollar range, I would recommend a paddle strop to learn on using very lite pressure.

If you use heavy pressure or lift the spine, just 1 stroke, you can roll or break off the edge. This will irritate your skin.
Start with a known sharp razor.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

If the seller offered to re hone your Gold Dollar, send it back.

Some guys do actually know how to make them shave and it is pretty common for new guys to ruin an edge, by stropping with too much pressure or a contaminated strop.

You should buy a decent strop, there are several in the 50 dollar range, I would recommend a paddle strop to learn on using very lite pressure.

If you use heavy pressure or lift the spine, just 1 stroke, you can roll or break off the edge. This will irritate your skin.
Start with a known sharp razor.

I will be able to finally compare the edge once my new razor from Magpie comes in. It is certainly possible that I damaged the edge from improper stropping. I have started gathering materials to make my own paddle strop. Does anyone have experience using a hanging strop from a higher tie-off point? The only anchor point I have currently is at about shoulder height (call it 5 and a half feet), and it does feel awkward stropping at that angle.

Misread someone else’s post.

There are guys that specialize in honing Gold Dollars you can send it to them or learn to hone it yourself.

Some Gold Dollars will hone easily, some need repair, some will not hone at all, not many, which is why they are not recommended. Some that sell them honed, have already made the repairs for you.

The easier solution is to buy a quality razor as you have done and learn to maintain it.

Put a loop of Para Cord on your strop and loop it to your bathroom doorknob.

Part of your problem is probably stropping, most new stroppers use way too much pressure and roll the edge. Buy or make a paddle strop and use lite pressure to learn to strop and keep you shaving, or lay your strop flat on a counter.

Originally Posted by tseppish

I will be able to finally compare the edge once my new razor from Magpie comes in. It is certainly possible that I damaged the edge from improper stropping. I have started gathering materials to make my own paddle strop. Does anyone have experience using a hanging strop from a higher tie-off point? The only anchor point I have currently is at about shoulder height (call it 5 and a half feet), and it does feel awkward stropping at that angle.

I used to strop at this height, because that's what I had, it is certainly easier with a lower anchor point but once I was used to it it was much like anything else. However why put yourself in an awkward position for the sake of a cable tie or piece of string.
I would try a few different heights (using what is available) and try to find a good height, go round the house looking for tie off points, you will be surprised what you can come up with, then sort out a more permenant solution from there.