Thread: New but learning fast

I've only been straight razor shaving for a couple of months, and I only shave 3 or 4 times a week. I'm retired so I can get away with it.

My straight shaves have been so-so, starting out with several nicks, a cut every so often, and some razor burn. I kept working on the technique and the shaves did improve, but the razor burn was still around.

Now I'm able to get an excellent shave with my DE, and I do mean excellent. I thought the razor burn was due to my face not being used to the straight. I use the Feather AC as my straight. I know, some of you will poo-poo it, and say "that's not a real straight". But as of now I have no intention of getting into a "regular" straight, and I do like everything about the AC. I do believe that the AC will be what I'll be using as my straight. With that said, its back to the problem of my razor burn. I was at a loss as to why I kept getting the burn and irritation as I used such a tiny bit of pressure for my shave. And that I found was the cause of my problem.

After I was through with my shave a couple days ago, I felt a bit of rough patch on my jaw line. Not wanting to lather up all over again I just did a water clean-up. I laid the Feather flat on my cheek, raised it to a very slight angle, and went so light I thought the blade wasn't even on my face. The result was an area that really was BBS. So that was my problem, even though I thought I was going so very lightly, I was still using too much pressure. I'm sure my next shave will be just about without irritation or razor burn. Isn't it something, the way we learn.

Originally Posted by dpmtherrien

I've only been straight razor shaving for a couple of months, and I only shave 3 or 4 times a week. I'm retired so I can get away with it.

My straight shaves have been so-so, starting out with several nicks, a cut every so often, and some razor burn. I kept working on the technique and the shaves did improve, but the razor burn was still around.

Now I'm able to get an excellent shave with my DE, and I do mean excellent. I thought the razor burn was due to my face not being used to the straight. I use the Feather AC as my straight. I know, some of you will poo-poo it, and say "that's not a real straight". But as of now I have no intention of getting into a "regular" straight, and I do like everything about the AC. I do believe that the AC will be what I'll be using as my straight. With that said, its back to the problem of my razor burn. I was at a loss as to why I kept getting the burn and irritation as I used such a tiny bit of pressure for my shave. And that I found was the cause of my problem.

After I was through with my shave a couple days ago, I felt a bit of rough patch on my jaw line. Not wanting to lather up all over again I just did a water clean-up. I laid the Feather flat on my cheek, raised it to a very slight angle, and went so light I thought the blade wasn't even on my face. The result was an area that really was BBS. So that was my problem, even though I thought I was going so very lightly, I was still using too much pressure. I'm sure my next shave will be just about without irritation or razor burn. Isn't it something, the way we learn.

I stumbled on that last weekend and posted about it. Lay the blade flat and lift slightly as you make that pass. Works like a charm for me as well.