Thread: Razor burn on neck?

Hey everyone. I decided to pick up using a straight razor about 3 weeks ago -- and I've been welcomed! I've gotten my fair share of nicks and cuts! I originally just started out doing my sideburns and cheeks, as I read to go into it chunk by chunk to not make your face and neck get cut up. I did my neck for the first time today, and I didn't cut myself, but I got very bad razor burn for some reason...I just found that odd I guess?

Is that normal? I use a hot lather machine for my shaving cream (I know you're supposed to use mug soap, but I don't know where to buy it? Any walgreen's or something?)

Just looking to get some feedback and just any advice in general on how to proceed forwards.

Thanks guys

When I first started shaving with a straight in January
I often got razor burn on my neck. As time went
on and my touch got lighter it has since become a thing
of the past.

As for using soaps, here are some good sources.
www.thegentlemensquarter.com You'll see references
here as Colleens Soaps. Also, Mama Bears is
www.bear-haven.com A lot of use use creams
such as Talyor's of Old Bond Street. These creams
come in a tub and you use a little dollop in your
mug and swirl it around with your brush, much like
using soaps. You can find a bunch of different
ones at www.classicshaving.com Hope this helps and
welcome to SRP.

John

+1 on the soaps and creams. They make a huge difference!

When you shave your neck which direction do you go and how many passes do you make?

Do you have burn anywhere else? If so, did you get a shave ready razor?

Your face needs to adjust and unfortunately it takes time.

I had the same problem in the beginning too. For me I do 2 WTG passes to knock the beard down, then I go from neck to chin.

You'll find most folks struggle with the neck.

Finally, do you have Lynn's DVD? Or have you seen his YouTube video demos on shaving. They'll help.

Keep at it!

Randy

Hey guys, thank you for your responses!

I actually just went out to Walgreen's and got myself Williams mug soap, a mug dish, and the badger brush (granted -- not high-end, but it should be ok, right?)

Mischievous: I don't go up ANYWHERE yet, I really want to be careful and not go crazy on the nicks lol. I make one pass for right now, and I double-up on some areas (usually the cheek to get a really solid shave). I don't get burn anywhere else.

For my razor, I don't really have a "state of the art" straight razor, mostly because I don't do buying off line, and I know that's primarily where you get them, right? It says "Diane #12" on it, it's all steel, and has a slide-out mechanism for blade replacement.

I have definitely checked out Lynn's YouTube stuff, as well as some other clips of people shaving with a straight razor. It's unreal how effortless people make it look sometimes, you know? lol

The problem area for me with nicks is actually right next to the sideburn, and some scrapes on the cheek area. I have a beard which I shave around and shape up, and when I go to thin out my sideburns, I sometimes nick. Same with shaping up my cheekline. I guess I just need to get my angle's down a bit more

I suggest getting a new neck

On a more serious note. Make sure you maintain your angles. Use a light touch and (for me) the hardest lesson to learn... make sure your blade is shave ready or you will be in a world of hurt.

As I recall when I first started the neck was a problem area for me too. I think with time and experience the razor burn will disappear. In the meantime the best thing is get an aftershave balm with plenty of menthol to relieve the burn and give you face some rest between straight shaves.

Loochie: I use Nivea aftershave for sensitive skin -- EXTRA menthol haha.

So is it a general consensus that the first month or so while shaving with the straight razor can yield ugly results?

Originally Posted by Gags1892

For my razor, I don't really have a "state of the art" straight razor, mostly because I don't do buying off line, and I know that's primarily where you get them, right? It says "Diane #12" on it, it's all steel, and has a slide-out mechanism for blade replacement.

I have no idea what that is, maybe someone else here can chime in. But, if it's a disposable blade straight type there are lot's of guys who have given them up due to their harshness. Then again guys swear by the Feather AC, which is a replaceable blade straight razor. The guys who use the feathers have been straight shaving for a while though.

Mischievous: I would like to get a DOVO, as I've been looking at them at classicshaving.com, but I don't really want to purchase off the web unless I REALLY need to. (Do I really need to?)

Attached is a picture of the straight razor similar to mine -- but the one I own is all stainless steel, not cheap plastic like pictured.

When you guys all first started, did you encounter your fair share of cuts and nicks? How long does it usually take to get pretty acclimated to straight razor shaving?

If you don't want to use the web then what about a phone call to a vender that sells them?

I've spoken with a few on the phone who are great guys and they're willing to spend as much time on the phone as it takes. They don't just want to sell you product, in other words they really care about this stuff man! That's how I purchased my first straight.


The one you pictured is exactly the kind I was talking about. There are those here who have probably used those at some point, but I think the majority here, me included, would tell you to dump that thing and get a real straight.