Thread: Calling all cars!!! Face and Neck on fire at 3rd & Main!!!

My first three shaves have yielded different challenges in getting a good glide and not overshaving. Each day, though, my face and neck are getting progressively more irritated or "burned." On my first shave, my Truefitt creme seemed to need a base of Taylor's preshave balm to work smoothly. Yesterday, the Taylor's seemed not to help with some Derby's lavander shave cream. Today I switched to another razor and tried the the Taylor's with the Truefitt, but no soap....just pull. Adding L'Home preshave oil helped the razor glide better, but my skin ended up fried and the shave could only be described as middlin' close.

I know there are many possible causes for what's happening, from my newbie style errors, to proper preshave techniques, maybe stropping issues, & etc. My razors and their hones are new and first rate, so that shouldn't be the problem. So I'm in the market for advice--or referrals to sources of advice.

I am particularly interested in getting learned opinions concerning preshave techniques, products, options & etc. when razor burn raises its ugly rouged head (and neck).

Thanks,

Rick

Ya know, I often shave without any soap or cream at all. You have these kinds of problems with other methods?

I know for myself.....if i shave everyday....my face cant handle it......If I shave.every 2 or 3 days....i am usually in the clear. Just how it goes for me..

You've just begun shaving with a straight? Try only shaving every other day if possible, your learning mistakes are cumulative if you scrape your face off every day. You might try an alum block as well, it worked very well to help my razor burn.

I can't shave every day either. I usually go every other day. Seems like everyday is too much and I end up with face burn.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Ya know, I often shave without any soap or cream at all. You have these kinds of problems with other methods?

I always use the soap on my face, but I have taken to just using water on my head. Seems to work pretty well actually.

I tend to have sensitive skin but due to my chosen profession I must shave daily (military).

Without knowing/seeing what you are doing, I humbly offer the following possible causes:

Razor. You mentioned the razor is (was) 1st rate. That may be subjective but I offer that you may have done the same as me with a perfectly honed razor; screwed it up stropping. I now realize I buggered the edge with my poor technique.

Angle. I started with too steep of an angle and had bumps galore.

Pressure. Too much and you will scrape the skin vice shave the hair.


When you find the balance of the three listed above, it is very nice indeed. For now if I had to bet, I'd wager on a combo of razor (1st) and pressure (due to the razor).

FWIW.....


v/r

Allen

And I really identified with the water over the head idea. Why, just the other day my beloved noted that I was all wet...

I will lay off the daily attempts and learn more about stropping.

Thanks again.

Rick

Here's some good references, especially the honing pdf (stropping info).

Hello Rick. I sounds like to me your razors are not sharp enough. You didn't mention who honed them. If you did them yourself it could be you are not getting them shave ready. Also you are just getting started and that is the toughest time to get a smooth and comfortable shave. With more experience the shaves will get better.

bj