New guy with razor burn Q

Hello all,
Two months ago my girlfriend gave my my first straight razor as a birthday gift. (Dovo, entry model, and a paddle strop. Still had a brush lying around here) I'd been telling ppl I'd been wanting to try shaving with a straight for a while.

I've been reading many posts here for tips, read the pdf tutorial, which was great, and just started trying.

I'm amazed with how fast one can learn this skill. Two passes is great, and I can get a visually good shave this way. However the ATG pass is definitely needed for an acceptable smooth shave. But whenever I try the third pass I get the worst razorburn ever. Tried using less pressure on the blade, which helps a bit. But I can't help to think my razor isnt sharp enough for the job. I can get it smooth allright, but not without the burn, which lasts for at least 3 hours.

Should I get into honing the blade? Or do some of you have some other tips or suggestions.

Thanks

If it's a new dovo it's probably very near shave ready out of the box. I'd recommend an inexpensive strop and some sharpening paste. Probably 1 micron and .5 micron pastes. Hope this helps. As far as the razor burn goes it could be affected by how sharp the blade is. Could also be pressure or even beard prep.


Patrick

The burn is most likely due to pressure, so ease off.. go light. Also The body shop "razor relief" makes a good after shave balm for razor burn.

First, you did not indicate whether you had someone professionally hone the razor to start. If not, I would suggest that you have that done.
Next, I would recommend a WTG pass and two Across the grain (XTG) passes before you attempt to go against the grain.
As for the razor burn, there could be lots of causes but beard prep or technique are the most likely. Make sure that your face is really hydrated from a hot shower or hot towels and potentially a bit of hair conditioner on your beard.
Personally, I would forego the against the grain pass in favor of some touch up going across the grain. This is much easier on your face when you are learning. Some folks find that using good technique, they do not even need to use an ATG pass and just stick with WTG and XTG passes. While I have a heavy beard, I only shave against the grain on my cheeks.
As with everything, YMMV and all that...
Good luck and keep asking questions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by netsurfr

First, you did not indicate whether you had someone professionally hone the razor to start. If not, I would suggest that you have that done.
Next, I would recommend a WTG pass and two Across the grain (XTG) passes before you attempt to go against the grain.
As for the razor burn, there could be lots of causes but beard prep or technique are the most likely. Make sure that your face is really hydrated from a hot shower or hot towels and potentially a bit of hair conditioner on your beard.
Personally, I would forego the against the grain pass in favor of some touch up going across the grain. This is much easier on your face when you are learning. Some folks find that using good technique, they do not even need to use an ATG pass and just stick with WTG and XTG passes. While I have a heavy beard, I only shave against the grain on my cheeks.
As with everything, YMMV and all that...
Good luck and keep asking questions.

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I came here to say exactly this! I don't do the ATG anywhere but cheeks and neck and I get a good smooth shave.

Pre-shave prep is almost as important as a properly sharp razor IMHO. A good prep can make shaving with a poorly honed razor acceptable....and a bad prep can make shaving with a good razor terrible.

Thanks for all the info.
The razor wasn't sharpened by a pro. Before reading posts on this forum I didn't even know that if a razor was sold as "shave-ready" it actually isn't so.
I'll try stropping paste first, if that doesn't work I'll send the razor to someone who can sharpen it for me.

I'm fairly certain I've prepped the beard well enough. Four mins of hot towels, face wash. I might try a pre-shave though.

Thanks for the input. Reading the posts here has definitely gotten me hooked. I'm looking forward to every next shave.

Regards

Wow, I can't believe the razor shaved as well as you say it did right out of the box. No offense to psdarby, but those razors aren't sent out shave ready. They will have the bevel set, but that's like saying a knife you just bought is shave ready. Get it to a honemeister asap! I promise it'll fix most of your problems (until you nick it:D).

Something else you may want to pay attention to is your lather. For people with really sensitive skin, even your soap/cream is suspect when it comes to razor burn. But, just going with what you said, my money is on your razor. If problems persist, we can go from there.

EDIT: See this link for more info on why brand new razors aren't shave ready: http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...planation.html

Well I tried stropping the blade with the green paste. Shaved with it this morning. (did a preshave too b.t.w. )
I made all the difference in the world. I could almost get it smooth with two passes. Didn't really see the need to make a third pass.
Still some burn, but not nearly as much as before. I can only imagine how a well honed blade would shave. Having experienced this I will send the blade to a pro as soon as I find one near me. If anyone knows of a honemeister near the Netherlands please tell me.

Thanks again for the great tips.