Thread: Razor Burn

I know it's gonna be some time and effort. I love doing it. I feel better when it all comes together.

Originally Posted by ernieflores

I know it's gonna be some time and effort. I love doing it. I feel better when it all comes together.

I am still pretty new to the hobby also, and I am just starting to get consistently good shaves (and occasional great shaves!). It’s been about 6 months of consistently shaving with a straight to get it all down and figure out what strokes and angles my face/beard requires to get a close and comfortable shave.

Keep at it! When it all comes together it is an amazing feeling. You will definitely get it, just practice all the aspects of shaving (stropping, lathering, shaving and eventually honing) and it will come. They say it takes around 100 full shaves to become consistently good and more time to get that great shave we are all chasing. I’m almost there and still get some irritation on my neck occasionally.

Thanks. That make me feel better. A couple of razor burn only a couple of nicks, I don't think I'm doing half bad. Again thanks.

Originally Posted by ernieflores

Thanks. That make me feel better. A couple of razor burn only a couple of nicks, I don't think I'm doing half bad. Again thanks.

Here is to hoping I can walk away with slight burn and a nick or two. Going to be trying my first shave soon. Just a few more hundred pages to read!

In my case, trouble usually goes back to pressing too hard. I really focus on shaving the lather rather than the whiskers as well as keeping the angle to the blade to my face correct.

Originally Posted by polkapolka

Here is to hoping I can walk away with slight burn and a nick or two. Going to be trying my first shave soon. Just a few more hundred pages to read!

If you do as suggested and build a good lather, have the razor honed by a real razor guy, take the advise Lynn gives and just start on the easy part of your cheeks first until your comfortable and try not to scrape the whiskers off, plus don't try to do multiple passes you won't get burn or nicks, just go slow and try not to do a full shave, with multiple passes. Tc

I've been straight shaving now for less than 4 months. At first, the desire to get it all down prompted me to want to shave every day, but that can be hard on your face as a new shaver. I had better results shaving every other day, with less irritation letting the skin heal. I tried pre shave oil, and soon decided it was not for me, as it tended to want to make the razor stick to my face, and not glide, which is what you want. I then found that it was imperative to have enough water in the soap in order to get good gliding action. This helps the razor move over the skin and cut whiskers, and you will use less pressure. Pressure is not your friend here, but a shave ready razor is.

I've had a mustache for 45 years now, and it ain't going away anytime soon, so I don't have to worry about my upper lip, but my chin seemed to give me fits initially. Perseverance is you friend here, and with experimentation with skin stretching, and trying different blade strokes, and angles, you will make your way. I can now get a fantastic shave every time out, but you simply can't expect to nail down the results right off the bat. Shaving is now very much a meditative and relaxing endeavor for me, and I hope you feel the same way soon, but it just takes a little time.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

If you do as suggested and build a good lather, have the razor honed by a real razor guy, take the advise Lynn gives and just start on the easy part of your cheeks first until your comfortable and try not to scrape the whiskers off, plus don't try to do multiple passes you won't get burn or nicks, just go slow and try not to do a full shave, with multiple passes. Tc

Honestly I'm more concerned with my hands. I have some pretty decent shaking in my hands. I'm not the type you would want doing surgery on you. But I'm sure it'll be fine. I plan on taking it slow. My goal is comfort not a prefect smooth shave.

Hope you can do it, I,m not sure that shaking hands and straights are a good combo. Aside from the obvious, it takes some dexterity to maneuver the blade into positions. Plus starting a blade on a section can be tricky if your not soft on the first of the stroke. Just having arthritis is tough enough, we have a few members who are very good at this switching back to DE,s because of old Arthur. So be careful, and look for a mentor it,ll help. Tc

I think I got it now . The skin stretching and a couple of passes with the grain is working. I'll do this for a while to let my skin get used to it then gradually go into against the grain. I do think I was trying too hard and shaving to often. Now it's more relaxing. Thanks for your help.