Thread: The worst shave I have had so far with my Straight Razor

Dont worry, im sure most have been through the same problems.
First off go back to basics; just use one razor for now, this will help you to concentrate on the shave itself more. Keep the spine no more than one spine width away and use a light touch, too much an angle and being heavy handed is an easy way to get razor burn. Stretch your skin away from the grain direction to make the bristles stand up and won't worry about a bbs shave, you will more than likely do too many passes on an area and cause irritation.

Good luck

If in a hurry I will grab the DE with shark or feather blades.
Can't rush a SR shave, bad things happen.
+1 to the sentiment Bill.
Cheers.

I did a few things that may have speeded up the process some. First, I took Lynn's advice and didn't try to use the SR for my full shave until I got the hand of it slowly. But once I was able to complete a full shave, I didn't allow myself to use the DE unless it was absolutely necessary. I simply accepted less than perfect shaves during the process. As I was suffering through the less than perfect shaves, I was thinking about how I was doing a better job with the DE and why that was so. Then, one area at a time, I started to think about how to replicate that success. For a while, I allowed myself to use a DE when traveling. But I haven't even done that in probably a couple years. It takes time.

Well you used your head in changing razors as soon as the one wasn't working well to begin with. Even smarter to switch to DE for the tougher spots. Some things are beneficial to push through but whiskers aren't one of them.

I used a DE for the chin and hollows around the windpipe my first few weeks. After that, for a couple of years, I was adamant that I would use a straight exclusively. After two or three years I began going back to my DEs when I felt like it. I felt like I was a bona fide straight razor shaver, and I didn't need to 'prove' anything anymore. It is about enjoying the shave.

Now I enjoy a Merkur 137C slant with a Feather whenever I'm in the mood, or always if I'm in a hurry. If you have problem spots, chin, or wherever, don't feel like you have to do it with the straight. Keep the DE handy and eventually you'll get it.

A truly sharp razor, blade angle, and proper skin stretching are critical IME.

Originally Posted by pathology101

I think I might just use the SR to shave my cheeks and mustache area for now and use the DE for the rest. Then a little at a time wounder into new areas. I just hope that my using the DE shaver is not going to get me cut from the herd of the SR group. Please forgive me I just ordered a Merkur progressive DE razor. Now matter what route I may travel SR or DE I will never again use caned shaving cream, a plastic or cartridge razor or a cheap shaving brush.

Is there any SR users who still use a DE on a regular basis?

When I got into traditional shaving I used a DE for the first couple of years. When the straight razor got into the picture, it was reserved to weekends only and was more of a novelty item for me. I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity and acquire a new skill.

It took a while until my straight razor shaves produced better or equal results to my DE shaves, especially the chin! There even came a time when my straight razors sat dormant in their case for a year. I thought of throwing in the towel completely on straights because it just seemed like too much hassle compared to DE's. Now I no longer own a DE, and find straight razors more forgiving.

Participating at straight razor meetups and hands on learning from more experienced users helped tremendously. Remember, the learning curve for DE shaving is a matter of days, for straight razors it is a matter of months.

Give it time, and if possible, get someone experienced to mentor you. If you ultimately decide that straight razor shaving is not for you, there is no shame in that, provided you refrain from joining that other forum dedicated to the finer points of safety razor leg shaving.

Thanks for the advise and words of encouragement . It has been only 2 months and I should probably swallow my pride and practice what I preach to others. Walk before you run, and a little but often.

I am just going to concentrate on the areas that work for me before moving to fast to others not so instant gratifying. I guess I need to slow down a bit and enjoy what I can do and not what I can not.
Hey the cheeks look great after a with the grain shave. Hey its better than what 90% of the population can do with a SR.

I think we all have moments like that. Funny thing is, my last shave I tried a DE for the first time in over a year. Put my favourite new blade in my favourite old Gillette. Didn't even finish one cheek. Got out my Bengall, job done.