Thread: 2nd Shave

Ok, the "3rd Shave" (and subsequent) thread will go to the "shaving" forum, but for this one, I gotta stay here.

Tonight was my 2nd Shave. I did not have the time - or real privacy (that's for another time) as with the first.
Differences to note:
I used a cream instead of a soap.
I did not shower first, but I washed my face with the same soap as I did the first time, and did a couple passes with a hot towel.
Same razor as a couple days ago, but I actually touched the 8000 Norton with it, so I could have messed up the edge. I wasn't anything close to heavy handed, or aggressive, or anything like that, but... yeah.
I used the strop slightly less - I'd say half as many strokes on the linen, and 2/3 as many on the leather vs. last shave.
I did a single (well, with some touch ups) pass as described in another thread - ATG on the cheeks with X/WTG on the neck - basically the same pattern as I used to use with the cartridge.
Finally, I was a little more aggressive with blade to face pressure.

The shave is a bit closer, which is nice. However, the razor burn is also evident on both cheeks. Next shave, I think I'll try a 2 pass on the cheeks, and do the same single pass as above on the neck.

Lessons learned:
I like the soap better than this particular cream. The cream lathered up quicker, and fuller, but wasn't as smooth as the soap that I've been using (just some generic wal-mart soap).
The extra pressure - blade to face - actually helped, and I don't think it contributed to the razor burn as much as doing the ATG pass first did. The extra pressure also helped me with my confidence in my technique.
I'm still fading on the angle, and have to pay extra attention to keeping it where it should be.
I think I need to strop using a few more laps and do so more carefully.
I like the shower first, and feel like not having it may have contributed to the razor burn as well.
My technique on the strop needs some work.
I'm going to "need" a pasted strop until I can get my honing skills up (the Tony Miller 4-sided paddle is looking REALLY nice about now).
I hadn't used it very often before, but I think I'm going to want to start using some type of aftershave balm after each shave for a bit during my learning curve.
The cheeks are MUCH smoother using the ATG stroke. Hopefully a WTG first will take the burn off of the ATG.
I want a better brush!

Now I can't wait until the next shave so I can try out what I've learned!!!

Try the aftershave to reduce the burn, especially if it has alcohol. After my shaves, I always use straight rubbing alcohol. At first it burned like hell, but now I know it was just a litmus test of how well I shaved. Even though I hacked my face up pretty good and my skin is on the extreme sensitive side, the alcohol really kept me burn free. Add some lotion after the alcohol is dry and my face is good to go! Just try out with a favorite AS with some alcohol

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Try the aftershave to reduce the burn, especially if it has alcohol. After my shaves, I always use straight rubbing alcohol. At first it burned like hell, but now I know it was just a litmus test of how well I shaved. Even though I hacked my face up pretty good and my skin is on the extreme sensitive side, the alcohol really kept me burn free. Add some lotion after the alcohol is dry and my face is good to go! Just try out with a favorite AS with some alcohol

That's pretty much exactly what I've been doing. Str8 alcohol then some balm. The burn doesn't last long. But I know... KNOW I can get a good (maybe not BBS, but good) shave without the razor burn. I'm just hoping I can get there in as few shaves as possible!!

Originally Posted by RAP-BIG-ICP1

The extra pressure - blade to face - actually helped, and I don't think it contributed to the razor burn as much as doing the ATG pass first did. The extra pressure also helped me with my confidence in my technique.
I'm still fading on the angle, and have to pay extra attention to keeping it where it should be.

I "discovered" the same thing when I first started with a straight . I didn't find out how wrong I was until I shaved with a truly sharp razor . Too much pressure gives you razor burn . Too much pressure combined with a high blade angle will cause the blood to flow from the cut/s you will get , and I'm not talking about nicks , I mean real cuts . I don't think your razor is quite sharp enough , you may want to give it 5-10 very light laps on the 8k and see if it improves . Keep in mind that when you hone a razor , you are starting with an edge that is already extremely sharp and making it even sharper , so a little bit on a Norton 8k goes a long way . Just wanted to give you a little info I learned the hard way .

Originally Posted by dave5225

I "discovered" the same thing when I first started with a straight . I didn't find out how wrong I was until I shaved with a truly sharp razor . Too much pressure gives you razor burn . Too much pressure combined with a high blade angle will cause the blood to flow from the cut/s you will get , and I'm not talking about nicks , I mean real cuts . I don't think your razor is quite sharp enough , you may want to give it 5-10 very light laps on the 8k and see if it improves . Keep in mind that when you hone a razor , you are starting with an edge that is already extremely sharp and making it even sharper , so a little bit on a Norton 8k goes a long way . Just wanted to give you a little info I learned the hard way .

Thank you! That's very good to know. I am pretty sure it needs to be sharper. I'm almost scared of the Norton, but regardless, that's something I want and need to tackle, and get better at. I just get worried about doing it "right" Maybe I'll spend some time with the practice blade today trying to get my honing stroke where I think it should be... Sounds like a plan!

You're quite welcome ! When I read your post it brought back memories of a day , about 6-1/2 months ago when I learned the hard way . It sounds like your honing is close . I found that if I lift the edge off the hone at the end of the stroke and keep the spine on the hone my results improved . When I first started honing razors , I honed them like you would hone a knife , letting the end of the blade slide off the hone . I found that if I kept the spine of the razor on the hone and rolled it over for the next stroke my honing improved greatly , it's kind of like stropping in reverse . I don't know if you do it this way or not , and I may be simply stating the obvious . Honing , stropping , and shaving with a straight , takes time and patience , but each time you do it you get a little better .

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

After my shaves, I always use straight rubbing alcohol.

Witch hazel works pretty good, too.

Believe it or not your face adjusts to the straight also. I've travelled a lot for work and had to switch to safety razors 1-2 weeks at a time (no straights on the airplane) and when I return, the first few shaves always burn.