Thread: extreme newbie with questions

ok guys, here is my dilemma. I have been out of college for about a year now working construction. So, basically, for the last 5 1/2 years I have had no need to shave with a straight razor. I have pretty much just always used a beard trimmer with no guard. The very few times I shaved with a straight razor (i'm talking schicks, not real straights) have not been very pleasant. I am starting to interview for some new jobs that would require real shaving and I am basically a blank canvas trying to soak up as much info as I can. I would eventually like to start using a real straight but for now i picked up a schick quattro, sensitive skin shaving cream, and sensitive skin after shave. My problem has been lately and in past years (when I have shaved with a real razor) that I get razor burn on my neck (mainly in the adams apple area). My neck seems fine and not irritated until about 2-3 days after the shave. Then, I develop irritating bumps that look like little pimples. I am trying to start off very slow and eventually work up to a straight so please pile the advice on me. Thanks in advance for the help.

Welcome to SRP. I wish I could answer your question directly but I've yet to have a shaving bump. Here is the SRP Wiki with tutorials on all things related to straight razor shaving. Give it a look and you'll have an idea of what SR shaving is about.

As for the bumps.... maybe too much pressure or a lack of proper preperation ? Other guys will be along with better info from their own experience.

This is coming from a wife and not an actual shaver but I know those shaving creams have been a HUGE part of the problem for my husband. Even using a crappy electric he had less irritation and bumps than when he used the shaving gel. Actually on the Mach 3's he ended up scraping off their lubricant strip which amazingly enough helped with the bumps all over his neck.

I know I read another new member on here saying he was still using his mach 3 but was prepping just like he was using a straight and just doing that improved his shave a ton. I suggested trying that to my husband too, and as soon as I hand over some of his Christmas presents he will. Might read up on shave prep and products in here. Might help.

thanks for the advice. ill be doing my research

The multiple cartridge razors are designed to create a pulling action, then cutting action. So for some, the hair gets pulled out, cut and let down just below the top layer of skin, thus when they grow 24-48 hours later, razor bumps!

The cartridges always gave me a pimple or two that would grow under the skin and run its course. Some days, I would get along well, then it would happen.

Since straight shaving, that has never happened to me. My face looks 100% better whether I just shaved or with 3+ days of growth. I will say that I was absolutely determined to make the switch and had no issues shelling out a few hundred bucks to get the great shaving tools. It has been such a bargain for me to get the results that I get and I will never go back to cartridges again - Boooooooooooo Cartridges

Pabster

I think by far the best thing you can do for yourself short term is get very expensive shaving cream, or any kind of wet shaving gear. Schick and Gillette's (and old spice and all of them too) canned stuff is crappy, look at all the additives on the side. If you spend a buck on something like neutrogena, you'll do much better.

A step above that is a cheap brush with soap (its literally just soap, nothing irritating or harmful) which can be bought at Walmart or CVS or right aid for like $10 (which gets you a brush, bowl for the soap and a thing of soap that lasts a couple months).

If you still need more I would consider a more expensive or hand made soap (still only about $10 a puck- so you'd need to buy a brush separately, but you can get em for $5 at walmart/cvs/right aid)

Good shave prep is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Then, if you've maxed out on shave prep (using very nice soap with a brush) shave only WITH the grain. This also cuts out a lot of irritation/negative side effects.

Ultimately, using a straight or a DE is the best way to go but it has a learning curve and takes time, so for now at least I would switch to brush and soap as soon as possible, or if thats an issue, at least picking up shave cream from a skin care company- it makes sense that a skin care company makes a better sensitive skin cream than a shave company.

The stuff I'm using now is nivea for sensitive skin shaving cream and aftershave

I have been using the castle and forbes lime for sensitive skin and following it up with nivea aftershave balm. I had a couple spots on my neck that always got irritated with the disposables, but since SRS and using the C&F I havent had that problem.

Originally Posted by wrd

The stuff I'm using now is nivea for sensitive skin shaving cream and aftershave

If its still not working, try the brush and soap route. It does wonders.

Originally Posted by khaos

If its still not working, try the brush and soap route. It does wonders.

I'll give that a try