Frustrated Straight Razor User

I've been using the changeable blade straight razor for a few weeks and I constantly get cuts. I'm going to list step-by-step what I do when I shave so people can tell me what i'm doing wrong, because it's really annoying!

1. Every shave I change the blade on the razor/ I use Derby razor blades
2. I get a bowl and squirt a little bit of Proraso shaving cream, then wet my brush and mix into a lather
3. Then I use my hands and apply warm water to my face a couple of times
4. Then I use the brush and apply the shaving cream to my face
5. Finally I get the razor, stretch out my skin, and shave in a upwards motion against the grain

When I do it, the razor does not glide easily across my face. It gets caught on the hair. It does not cut the hair easily. It doesn't feel good. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

Do you mean with an upwards motion that you go against the grain in the first pass? that would realy hurt I guess

I would try the other way first...
I'm still a newbe myself but I would just start with the grain (so downwards) on the sideburns and finish of with a DE and expand the comfort zone the next shaves as you get used to the blade.

I found that the shavette was very unforgiving of any errors because it is so sharp.


Maarten

You should try shaving with the grain first, downward. See if that helps

I have no specific experience of that type of razor and very little experience of straights (three shaves with mixed results) but I've shaved with a DE for a long time and, while a lot of it is down to preference and there's no 'right' way, I'd say there are two things you could do different:

1 - prep - I'd recommend having a shower and then applying a hot towel for a few minutes before you apply the lather. Is the lather warm when you apply it? Do you kind of massage your face in a circular motion with the brush when applying lather? Also, you might want to consider a preshave - I use Trumper's Limes skin food - to help lubricate the hairs.

2 - direction of shave - I can't speak for everybody but I would say that most people, and general wisdom dictates, that you start out by shaving with the grain (you'll see WTG used here which means With The Grain), that is in the direction that the hairs are growing, bearing in mind that the hairs grow in different directions on different parts of the face so it's a good idea to have a close look at that. After shaving WTG, lather up again (no massage, just apply lather, again warm) and shave Across The Grain (ATG). That's all I need to do to get a fine shave. Some people then go on to lather again and shave, as I think you're doing, Against The Grain (ATG) but most people advise that you do this after your face has got used to shaving WTG and XTG for a few weeks. I don't do it because it irritates my skin and I don't need to.

If you look around here and some other shaving sites you'll find loads of advice and videos to help you get a decent shave but I hope this is enough to get you started.

Good luck!

EDIT: the others were faster typing so sorry if it appears that I'm just repeating their good advice!

You could first try to shave with the grain (WTG) rinse and relather and again across the grain (XTG). Forget the against for a while. If you stretch the skin and do these steps you should get a close shave. Do not try to reach BBS too fast it 'll come at the right time.

Edit: Sorry hoglahoo & guildofghostwriters , you were quicker than me with my turtle speed english. :)

I would most definitely forego the ATG pass. Especially until you have more experience shaving with this kind of razor. With my straights, I find that I can get an extremely close shave with ONE WTG pass. Then, if I need a bit of a touchup, I do ATG. Rarely, do I go ATG.

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Originally Posted by frustratedSRuser

I've been using the changeable blade straight razor for a few weeks and I constantly get cuts. I'm going to list step-by-step what I do when I shave so people can tell me what i'm doing wrong, because it's really annoying!

1. Every shave I change the blade on the razor/ I use Derby razor blades
2. I get a bowl and squirt a little bit of Proraso shaving cream, then wet my brush and mix into a lather
3. Then I use my hands and apply warm water to my face a couple of times
4. Then I use the brush and apply the shaving cream to my face
5. Finally I get the razor, stretch out my skin, and shave in a upwards motion against the grain

When I do it, the razor does not glide easily across my face. It gets caught on the hair. It does not cut the hair easily. It doesn't feel good. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

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Hi, you should shave WITH the grain FIRST, and against the grain only if needed after an ACROSS the grain pass. AGAINST THE GRAIN comes LAST, not first! IMO this is the main reason you cut yourself.

Your prep sounds like a decent minimum, but still like a minimum. The longer you leave hot water or a hot wet towel or warm lather on your face, the softer and more shave ready your beard and skin will become. After a shower is probably the best moment unless you like to sit on the toilet or something with a hot towel on your face :D

I would suggest not changing the blade each shave...I use a shavette right now and the second shave is a little more comfortable because i feel the disposable blades to be TOO sharp out of the box.

Also have to agree with the previous gents...you need to take your time and do multiple passes and definately start WTG...lots of hot water before (SHOWER?) and dont shave an area unless you reapply lather...that was my biggest problem when i started...and again...take it slow