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.

Originally Posted by rolodave

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

Dave I think is onto something. My neck is a PITA to shave. The hair lays really flat goes in all sorts of different directions. Now that you’re shaved rub your hand over your problem areas. Figure out the direction of growth. My hair lays so flat that razor has trouble cutting these hairs with a wtg pass. I find it much more comfortable during and after the shave to go with a two pass xtg. Keep at it, take your time. Don’t feel stupid using a butter knife or a dulled razor to practice with. It’s really difficult to get enough shaves in in the beginning because of all the razor burn or lack of motor skills. I could only shave every three to four days in the beginning. I could shave everyday now with no irritation, but I’ve been at this for 6 years. The reward far out ways the learning curve issues.

Stick with using both hands too, I have some areas that I can only get with my nondominant hand.

My throat sticks out so far that I have to use just about the last 1/2" of the blade to get it close enough to the skin. On the throat side it is the toe, then I switch to the heel on the ear side. Thinking back on it, that may have been how I started cutting my ears when I got a square point. But even with that if I want to get a really good shave I have to turn my head so far I can't see in the mirror to get it close to flat. Probably not a good thing to do on your second shave, though.

Also, to go with the grain I have to shave up from the collar bone towards the chin. I find it pretty tricky to maneuver that way, and have to hold the razor more like a knife. Also, maybe not good for a beginner.

Moral of the story: Everyone's face is different. What works for one person may not work for another. But, check the lather after doing one swath and if there is a swath of lather where the blade is not hitting, figure out a way to hit it without injury. If it is too awkward use another razor or live with a less than ideal shave in that area until you're comfortable manipulating the razor in strange ways.

Practice! Its been said. Very low angle and no pressure is the biggest issue when starting. Wait 2 or 3 days and get a good look at your whisker direction. Shave with the grain. Those pics Outback showed show you what can be done. But not right away. Those take time to learn. Work on more up and down but closer to with the grain as possible. And dont worry about BBS. Good luck and keep at it. It gets better i promise.

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.