Thread: Extreme razor burn? why?

Hey guys brendan here. as im sure was the case with a lot of u guys u switched to straight razor shaving for a more comofrtable closer and smoother shave. but i have yet to experience any of that. tonight i shave with a straight razor and i got extreme razor burn and cuts but not cuts from running the blade blade length. they were just like random cuts from going on a wtg stroke from my sideburn to jaw. I just got it honed by lynn so it definetly wasent te blade. so a while ago i was recommended to try a shavette just so i knew what it felt like to shave with a sharp blade. i did that and got extreme razor burn. i was using a feather blade. i have merkurs and derbys too. i dont push down hard at all.is it just that my skins not use to a single blade? because normally i shave with mach 3. my face is bruning right now from the shave! so any help please as to why im getitn such razor burn.? i dont have sensitive skin either. on my mach 3 i can literrally do anything with it and i wont get irritation. so any help? thanks!

Brendan please understand this. Sharpness of the blade is one of the factors.
As you said it just honed by Lynn then you are safe in that portion of the problem
Second is your soap and preparation.
i used to use Tabac and recently i switched more expensive so guess what i couldn't finish my shave it did get dry.
This is just example.
You need to have a good leather and prepare your face to shave.
Next comes to my mind is skin itself.
face will take time to get used to the straight.
that is why if you read guidline for new starter 's it says just start slowly. don't get whole face shave at first time.
Stretching skin is another factor.
I read you said you don't push blade hard that is a great. Blade has to berealy touch to your face.
i hope this was helpful. i am sure more srp great member's will come and guide you a lot better.

Prep, blade angle and pressure all play a part. Skin stretching or he lack of it enter into it too. Generally I would get razor burn trying to get bbs in one pass back in my DE days, I learned to do multiple passes and remove the stubble in stages. I don't know what the problem is.... just thinking out loud.

Just curious...was this the first shave on the newly sharpened edge? Did you strop on leather before shaving?

I bet you anything you like that in a few weeks you realise it was either too much pressure or the wrong angle.

You know it's not the razor, by all means pay more attention to the skin prep, but most importantly use a lighter touch and watch the angle of the blade.

i did not strop the razor. i took a shower before and i let soap soak in while in the shower. i tried to stretch my skin as much as possible. it was on the newly sharpened edge. i hadent used it onjce

+1 with Jimmy, Prep, Blade and Angle. Your blade is covered because it was honed by Lynn, so that's a given. Angle is everything when you shave with a straight razor. Some behave differently than others, but make sure your as close to 30 degrees as possible. Watch Lynn's DVD if you can. Preperation plays a big role too. If you don't shower before you shave, make sure your face is clean. I use a facial scrub if I don't shower first. After you wash your face, Use a Pre Shave, If you don't have a pre shave, you can use Olive oil, a few drops goes a long way. Once that's done, and you apply your lather, Place a hot towel on your face for about 30 seconds, to 1 min, when you remove the hot towel, re lather. Stretch your skin, and pay attention to your angle. Start slow, Do just your cheeks until you get a feel for it. When you done, and you rinse apply Alum, or witch hazel, or both and get yourself some soothing after shave balm. it'll put out the fire. Nivea makes something called Extreme After shave balm..

I get razorburn when I overshave the face. I usually do face-buffing and as a result, I go over the same areas more than just three times...sometimes many times more and I end up suffering for it in the end, but a good aftershave usually calms the burn right down.

So watch the over-shaving

Hi Bendan,

That little Torrey that Glen gave you turned out to be a nice shaver. Strop it back up and I'm betting it's just pressure and angle. What kind of soap are you using??

LYnn

You can try adding some glycerin to the lather to add extra lubrication to the skin.
Another option is preshave oil (1:1 castor oil/olive oil).
Those will decrease the razor burn a lot, but when you learn how much pressure your skin likes you will be able to shave comfortably with no extra stuff added.