Thread: Very finicky skin - could a straight razor help?

Hi all!

So I've tried just about everything other than a straight razor or a laser. Every time I shave with a blade (either disposable or "Mach3" cartridge type) I get terrible ingrown hairs on my neck area. I've tried about every technique/pre-shave/post-shave/etc that I can find and nothing seems to help. For a couple years now, I've just been wearing a short beard (1/4"-1/2" more or less). My electric razor even leaves my face irritated (and doesn't cut all that well). My hair is like the bristles of a wire brush (cartridge razors are dull to the point of discomfort after one or two shaves). My face is moderately oily, but I generally don't have acne issues other than small blackheads.

Do any of you have similar issues? Could a properly prepared and employed straight razor save me a lot of discomfort and unsightly razor bumps? I don't have super fair skin, but it's fair enough that ingrown hairs/razor bumps are pretty unsightly.

Thanks!

Does your everything tried include a DE safety razor? That is an easy way to much better shaving with little expense.

Ah, sorry. I haven't actually tried a DE safety razor yet. How similar would they be to straight razors in such a situation? Cost isn't such a big issue - I just want to shave without my face being a disaster.

I don't have these problems but I have read posts where using a straight razor is much better. I seem to remember the theory being a straight does not pull on the base of the hair so much as to cut it or pull it out below the skin. Having use an electric I can imagine that very clearly :<0) There may be other reasons like using a brush and the inherent benefits of exfoliating the skin during prep and with using a straight.
I am sure the whole key to this is having a VERY sharp straight and properly maintaining the edge.

Other will come along with better/more advice I am sure.

Welcome to SRP and good luck solving you issue.

I would also say to try a DE first as a test to see if that will help. The learning curve is less steep with those and the cost is much less also.

You also did not say if you use canned goo for lather. A good soap and brush along with knowing how to use them goes along way to getting a comfortable shave.

Bob

Thanks guys! I might try out a DE and see how that goes.

I should also mention that I tried a replaceable-blade straight razor a few years ago and didn't get great results. I don't remember *how* the results were sub-par, but I believe that particular razor was meant more for cutting hair than shaving. I used a cheap boar brush and Williams soap if I remember correctly.

I'm also interested in straight shaving simply because the razor is a tool that you use over and over take care of - I'm not a huge fan of disposable things in general. If it tells you anything about my personality, I write with fountain pens for similar reasons - if you take care of them, they last forever, are really reliable and are a pleasure to use.

A straight razor (and good technique) was the end of skin irritation, bumps/ingrown hairs on my neck. My final fine-tune was shifting to warm (not hot) lather, and cold or cool water rinsing with a cold/cold finish.

You gotta want it, though.

I like the DE idea also but I have found there can be a lot of trial and error to that. Which razor is more harsh which blade goes with it best etc. etc. I have a few but have not mastered them yet. Just something for the others to help clarify for you :<0)

I have found that not everyone is willing to bother with the added effort of a straight razor, but everyone I have convinced to try a DE razor has been happy with it. Several vendors offer sample packs of a variety of blades, which greatly increase the odds of quickly finding an optimal blade/razor combination.

Better face prep, including a good soap and a decent brush, will improve any type of shaving. For that reason, an investment in that direction is a great start regardless of what kind of shaving method you choose.

I notice the same thing. I've found a Single Edge or Double Edge razor to be much closer to a cartridge for me. Also, given watching a video or two shaving with a DE, you'll get the angle things and where you need to be for each pass.

Also, have you mapped your the direction of growth of you facial hair? Particularly, the neck hair? If so, what kind of passes have you been doing in the troubled spots? I might suggest that you only do a With The Grain(WTG) pass in this area. I'm currently enjoying looking at my currect facial map in the mirror every morning(grown a full beard for the 1st time). The directions a beard can grow are pretty wild.

Combine that with some serious skin stretching and perfect face prep, I eliminated my facial problems from cartridges(rash, neckline irritation and bumps). Shower, hot towel, rub in shave oil, warm uberlather, then WTG pass. Minus the shower, I repeat the above for the XTG, ATG passes.

Hope something there helps.