Ouch. The Price of a Close Shave. Change Needed?

Straightrazordave mentioned cold water. Me, after I rinse with cold water, I run an ice cube over my face (like you would an alum block). Feels great, closes up the pores. I follow that with witch hazel and am in pretty good shape.

I learned the ice cube thing from someone here once upon a time, but I'm darned if I remember who.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If your doing 4+ passes that's too much. The more contact you have with the blade the greater the chances for irritation no matter how sharp the blade is or your technique is. Its quality over quantity. Try and get the job done with fewer passes. if you can't then reexamine the sharpness of your blade and/or your technique.

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+ a lot.

You should start with doing 2 passes. No more. Stay on that regime, till you manage to do them without building up skin irritation over a number of shaves. After a while your developed skills doing those 2 passes will yield no further improvement of results. Only then, it's time to start thinking about adding a 3th pass, that may even only be needed on a few stubborn spots.

Best regards,
Bart.

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Originally Posted by Rajagra

Try doing the final touch-ups using just water instead of lather It works surprisingly well sometimes.
Also a slight scything motion can help the blade cut more effortlessly.

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Originally Posted by Bart

You should start with doing 2 passes. No more. Stay on that regime, till you manage to do them without building up skin irritation over a number of shaves. After a while your developed skills doing those 2 passes will yield no further improvement of results. Only then, it's time to start thinking about adding a 3th pass, that may even only be needed on a few stubborn spots.

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I agree 110% with both posts. I get good results using slightly soapy water for the final trouble spots doing what amounts to two passes, WTG and XTG. Heck, I had my best shave last night doing this. :y I have more trouble trying to hold the razor for a couple of tough to get places. :hmmm:

Jleeg, I have been shaving for about 5 days now and have the exact same issues as you are describing, irritation under the corners of the mouth. I think because you and I are coming from a DE background we are expecting a level of closeness from our straights that just can't be had in a short time. I am doing the same as you, attacking my face with as many passess and touch ups as needed to get BBS, but as you have indicated the ole Alum block does not lie, too much metal, thus irritation.

I'm really trying to lessen up on the pressure, it really is a learned art. With the DE all you really need to worry about it blade ange which is easy with little practice and pressure which is also easy. I find with a DE you place th blade on your face and the handle faces down, therefore your motions are to pull down to cut the beard. With the straight you hold the blade higher and have to push the blade down, I'm struggling with this, but it will come. Glad to hear there are other people who did not have the best shave of their lives right from their first shave.

JC