Thread: first shave aftermath

Got my first shave in with a new shave ready razor. as you can see in the pictures I keep a beard. my cheeks are fairly easy except for the switching hand part but I can see how it will be easy to get used to it. the neck however is a different story. It feels more like its scraping than shaving. I have always called this razor burn but it is something I haven't had since I was 19 YO!! and I must say I don't like it... What could I be doing wrong?

I don't know why these pictures load upside down. I tried a few times to flip them.

Originally Posted by Audels1

Got my first shave in with a new shave ready razor. as you can see in the pictures I keep a beard. my cheeks are fairly easy except for the switching hand part but I can see how it will be easy to get used to it. the neck however is a different story. It feels more like its scraping than shaving. I have always called this razor burn but it is something I haven't had since I was 19 YO!! and I must say I don't like it... What could I be doing wrong?

I don't know why these pictures load upside down. I tried a few times to flip them.

When I started I had to really concentrate on keeping the angle shallow on my neck (spine quite close to the skin), make sure you are shaving not scraping. Also go lightly, if your blade is shave ready you won't need any pressure.

Map the hair growth on your neck.
Only shave with the grain, not against.

Congratulations on your first shave.

As you probably have heard, it takes around 100 shaves to start getting comfortable with a straight razor.
The usual culprits..
Too high of a blade angle
Too much pressure.

The pictures need to be loaded into your post using the little photo icon in the top toolbar, over to the right, of the page
If you just attach them in your post, they will come out any which way. They shouldn't say "Attached Image" in the border of the picture. Sure, you can do it that way, but you're taking your chances.

Keep at it. It takes time and patience
Youll be a pro in no time at all.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by petercp4e

The pictures need to be loaded into your post using the little photo icon in the top toolbar, over to the right, of the page
If you just attach them in your post, they will come out any which way. They shouldn't say "Attached Image" in the border of the picture. Sure, you can do it that way, but you're taking your chances.

Pete <:-}

I tried that but thy still were upside down.

Originally Posted by Audels1

I tried that but thy still were upside down.

Has to be a Ghost in the Machine then.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by Audels1

Got my first shave in with a new shave ready razor. as you can see in the pictures I keep a beard. my cheeks are fairly easy except for the switching hand part but I can see how it will be easy to get used to it. the neck however is a different story. It feels more like its scraping than shaving. I have always called this razor burn but it is something I haven't had since I was 19 YO!! and I must say I don't like it... What could I be doing wrong?

I don't know why these pictures load upside down. I tried a few times to flip them.

Shaving the neck is the nemesis of most straight razor shavers. It takes more care than the rest of your face because the grain of the beard there seems go to go every which way.

I suggest shaving with the grain only until you master that. Remember, you shave the lather not the skin, so use a low angle and weight of the razor only. Do not force the razor against your skin or you might get more than razor burn. Use a safety razor after that if you want to get close to BBS on your neck.

After a while you’ll figure out which angle of attack matches the direction of the grain on the various parts of your neck. Be patient and be kind to your face.

What happened to the pictures. Are thy not allowed?

Did you strop the razor before shaving?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Did you strop the razor before shaving?

It was stropped when after it was honed.