Thread: Really bad neck shaving experience

Hi everyone,

I am new here. I am planning on using a straight razor, but I started with a safety razor for the time being. It has been about 2 weeks since I started with it, and my first two weeks were great! I was using proraso shaving cream, and I had no problems with ingrowns or razor burn.

Then I ran out....I ordered 2 pucks of Colonel Conk's shaving soap.

I watched videos and read this forums to learn how to use shaving soap. I got my brush wet, shook off the excess, and brushed the soap in a circular pattern for about 3 seconds. Then I put the soap on my face (it seemed less "thick" than the Proraso). Here is what happened:

1) Day 1 -- Beard was a bit longer (probably 3 days). Shaving my cheeks and chin was fine. No problems. Then I got to my neck. Normally, I shave upwards because it is the most comfortable. I absolutely can't tell which way my hair grows on my neck. However, with the shaving soap this hurt quite a bit. The shave was unpleasant, but I didn't cut myself.

2) Day 2 -- OUCH! I had a really short beard. I put a little more soap on my brush because of my bad experience the day before. I tried to follow the direction of the hair grain. Around my adam's apple on both sides and a little further towards my ears I cut myself probably 100 times (tiny nicks -- razor burn?). I thought I did a great job lathering, so I don't understand.

Any ideas why this would be? Do some people not handle shaving soap well?

Welcome to SRP. Hard to say why your last couple of shaves weren't good. I haven't tried that soap. Was it an old blade ? Finding the map of your whiskers is just running the finger tips over them. One way you'll feel them a lot and the other way you won't. Do with the grain first then across the grain. Try against the grain. It is not for everybody.

Don't try to get it all with one pass. Multiple passes with little or no pressure and gradual stubble reduction is the way to avoid razor burn. Adequate prep is essential. Wash your face with hot water and soap then rinse and do it again before you lather. Here is an explanation of the multiple pass thing.

Go to youtube and search for Mantic. He has some good videos on lathering and also on shaving with a DE.

Sounds like a couple things...first, ease up on the pressure on the blade. I started like you and found out I was bearing down a little too hard on the razor. This causes burn. Unlike the Mach3 I was using, razors cut just as well with only the slightest pressure. Also, make sure that skin is pulled tight so that the razor has an easier glide. The second thing is that while I like my Col. Conk soap, it's just shy of the lowest common denominator in soaps. I don't get as much lubrication on the blade as most other soaps. Even the Classic Shaving soap I have provides WAY more protection than the Col. Conk soaps (and some here really don't even like the CS soaps).

Soooo....let me wrap this up, practice on your technique, and get some reasonable soap like Mama Bears.

Thanks for the tips guys. I am going to try a new soap (or switch back to Proraso if I can find it at a store here). I am also going to try to figure out which way to shave on my neck.

Great advice.

I've always had good results with the Conk's soaps, but a 3 seconds swirl is inadequate. Load the brush more and your results should improve. 10 or 12 seconds would be more like it for me, but YMMV depending on your water and brush.

Originally Posted by jayhawkbrandon

It has been about 2 weeks since I started with it, and my first two weeks were great! I was using proraso shaving cream, and I had no problems with ingrowns or razor burn.

Then I ran out....I ordered 2 pucks of Colonel Conk's shaving soap.

Any ideas why this would be? Do some people not handle shaving soap well?

Clearly from your description, it is obvious that the problem was your lather. When you used Proraso things were fine and when you switched to Col Conk, things went wrong, correct? If so, this is indicative that you had your technique down "reasonable" well.

I do not think the problem is switching to soap but rather switching to that particular soap. Proraso produces a very good lather that provides good cushion and lather. In other words, it provides better protection against the razor. When you switched to Col Conk, a fairly inexpensive glycerin based soap that provides much less protection, small problems with your technique became evident.

I would recommend a couple of things:

1) Work on your lathering skills. You will definitely use these when you start shaving with a straight. Also, you may want to start paying attention to bread preparation if you are not already doing so. Here is the link with all the info: Category:Straight Razor Shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki

This is an excellent video describing the process for both cream and soaps:

YouTube - How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather