Thread: Note to Newb - Pressure

My fellow newbs,

Almost every time advice is given to us by mature SRSers for our problems it is "use less pressure" and "improve your prep"

Relative to pressure, this is true for honing, stropping and shaving.

Let me just say this - they mean it! I finally have stropping and shaving pressure just about right. My shaves are better than ever and my razor is sharper than ever. I have no weepers, no razor burn, no alum block stinging and all because I adjusted the pressure. That is the only change I have made.

You should be able to hear the cut but not feel the cut. If your prep is good and you feel the cut you are using too much pressure.

You can solve your own problems with "less pressure".

I would say to approch is by using not enough pressure and slowly adding it rather than trying to take it away. You will save on skin and styptic pencils.

Cheers,
David

Its so true!

The temptation is to up the pressure to get a closer shave, but as you say, all you end up doing is irritating your face and using up the styptics!

Thanks for sharing, its advice like this that helps other newbies on their journey to a BBS shave!

Hello, David and Stuart:

How correct you are, gentlemen, on your advice to keep the pressure light. The razor's weight already provides ample pressure.

Also, rather than parking the blade on the face, keep it moving. Which reminds of what Signor Bugatti said when someone stated that the breaks on the Bugatti sports car masterpiece of bygone years were not good.

If I remember Signor Bugatti's response in paraphrase, he said the Bugatti was not meant to stop — but to go. Or something like that.

So, yes, keep the blade moving.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, David and Stuart:

How correct you are, gentlemen, on your advice to keep the pressure light. The razor's weight already provides ample pressure.

Also, rather than parking the blade on the face, keep it moving. Which reminds of what Signor Bugatti said when someone stated that the breaks on the Bugatti sports car masterpiece of bygone years were not good.

If I remember Signor Bugatti's response in paraphrase, he said the Bugatti was not meant to stop — but to go. Or something like that.

So, yes, keep the blade moving.

Regards,

Obie

Thanks Obie for adding that. You are right - keep that blade moving. And if your pressure is light enough you will not get yourself into the position of forcing anything bad to happen!