Thread: Frustration

Hello all,

I have been trying to get a good shave with my safety razor for about 6 months now, without much luck. I have read everything I could get my hands on, and I don't particularly feel like my technique is the problem. I'm starting to think that my products may be causing issues.

I don't think its my blade, as I'm using a merkur safety razor with merkur blades. I've been using a preshave oil, shaving cream, and after shave balm from the Art of Shaving, and it doesn't seem to do anything for softening up my beard. What it DOES do really well is dry out my skin and make me smell like an old dashboard air freshener. In the end, I feel like I'm dragging my blade across sandpaper, particularly on my neck, in which the hair grows every direction imaginable.

I've read a lot of reviews on the site about shaving products, but was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a particularly stiff beard?

In my frustrations, I've thought about taking the plunge and just getting a straight, but I don't feel like that's necessarily the right solution, as I'm sure plenty of people get great shaves with a safety razor.

At this point I'm open to just about anything.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Dave

I don't really have much experience with safety razors, but I would suggest trying a different pre-shave routine/products. I'm sure getting a blade sampler would help you nail down where the problem lies as you should be getting a much better shave than the one you're describing.

Are you using Art Of Shaving products because you like to go into a bricks and mortar store to buy your supplies, or are you open to buying from some of the online retailers?

Using a DE is a pretty basic thing. You need to use the right angle while shaving and no real pressure and stretch the skin and you should have a good result. Assuming your using a quality blade the blade should not be an issue. Some prefer one over the other because some can be irritating and some last only one shave. Also as long as you use good pre shave prep you shouldn't be having this type of a problem. Obviously your doing something wrong. Tell us more about you shave routine and how you hold the razor.

If you are having this much trouble with a DE I don't think I would try a straight.

If you are having this much trouble with a DE I don't think I would try a straight.[/QUOTE]


+1. If your having trouble with a DE, I wouldn't move forward to the straight. Figure out what your problem is first...

Advice from someone who had great luck with a DE for a year:

Ditch the Merk blades. They are nearly universally considered overpriced garbage. I used Derby's then upgraded (in my opinion) to Shark Super Chrome blades.

You would be amazed at the difference the blade makes.

I agree that going to a straight likely will not help you. I have only been shaving for a few weeks (well, in the past I have shaved my face and my head both, but I wore a beard for about 4 years with little to no shaving). I started off using a single blade disposable razor with a brush and soap. This razor has plenty of room for error, and is certainly not going to give you a close shave without a bit of technique. I have had real razors for about a week, and from my experience the DE safety razor will give me a pretty good shave while I almost seem to cut more skin than hair with the straight. (This is a slight exaggeration, but I'm certainly not getting close shaves, and I am getting some nicks).

Do you shave right after a shower, or are you trying to lather a dry beard? Do you use the brush to really get the lather in and stimulate the stubble, or simply slap it on hastily.

I've found shaving and exterior painting or staining to have this in common: the amount of time and care spent in preparing the surface is the single most important factor in the quality of your outcome.

Hi davestockton!
I happen to have a stiff beard too.
Some things that could help:
1) Take a hot shower before the shave or putting hot towel around face for some time. The key point here is to remove any excess natural grease/oil from beard.
2) Proper lather... It should provide a proper glide for the blade and it cannot be too dense or dry. Dilute it with a bit of hot water in this case. I discovered that the saving soap (with brush) works best for me. Creams are usually so so. I stay away from any foams.
3) Wait at least a few minutes with lather on your face before even starting a shave!! The effect of the lather will be stronger because the hair will absorb more moisture.
Also, if you happen to have a cream/soap with menthol you should start to feel cold at the skin level after a few minutes.
4) During the shave always watch out when the lather on face is getting too dry/dense. Dilute with a bit of water if necessary. Try to keep the balance of proper proportions of water and shaving soap/cream through the entire shave.

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

Ditch the Merk blades. They are nearly universally considered overpriced garbage.

Since they've not really been discussed here, I take it you gleaned that pearl of wisdom from the Gods of Leg Shaving, aka the Disciples of Chr*nik? Makes one want to turn agnostic, eh?

Funnily enough, I've been using Merkur Platin blades with good success. However, I would recommend more forgiving blades (such as Personna) to anyone having difficulty shaving with a DE.

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

I used Derby's then upgraded (in my opinion) to Shark Super Chrome blades.

Well, we all know what is being said about opinions. But back to the original problem, I would do this:

• Skip the pre shave oil, it's pretty useless for a DE and will only clog up your blades.

• Make sure you get the beard softening right. Hot towels, hair conditioner - there is an excellent article on preparation in the Wiki.

• Try something other than the AOS cream. I am not overly fond of it (it is, I think, overpriced compared to, say, TOBS or Jagger). Make sure to read the Wiki article on making lather from cream.

Oh yeah, no pressure. Absolutely no pressure.

Good luck,
Robin

Let me stress this:

Proper Lather. Proper Lather. Proper Lather.

When I first started, a few months ago, I was completely ignorant that there even was such a thing as improper lather. Lather is something I think isn't strssed enough to people here; we talk about blade angle, shave prep, and the like a lot more, yet proper lathering technique is in my experience much more influential over whether or not you have a good, easy shave. Proper lather will cover a multitude of sins.

Have you watched Mantic's videos?

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Since they've not really been discussed here, I take it you gleaned that pearl of wisdom from the Gods of Leg Shaving, aka the Disciples of Chr*nik? Makes one want to turn agnostic, eh?

Nope, I learned that from my year of DE shaving and discussion of all DE related topics on other shaving forums. There are some people that don't mind them, but most people are not fans at all, myself included. I had 15 of them and gave 12 away I believe. They were worse on the first and second shaves than the Sharks on the 5th or 6th to me.

DE blades really are a matter of personal preference, but a sampler really might help you out if you aren't getting good results with what you are using right now.

I might not know everything about the world of straights, but I am pretty knowledgeable about DEs.