Several month in and still having some issues

So I got my straight razor at the beginning of January. I really enjoy it! I have found that no matter what my face can't seem to handle shaving on consecutive days. Does anyone else have this problem? If I let my beard grow out I can get a nice clean and easy shave with very minimal razor burn, that is usually solved with a little aftershave. However if I shave 24 hours later I find I get a horrible shave (some areas smooth some still stubbly), and I get horrible razor burn and lots of nicks. Do I just need to tough it out and tolerate this for a while until my face gets used to it?

I feel like my razor is sharp, otherwise it wouldn't be giving me a good shave while I have several days growth, correct?

Previously I had been using an electric razor and found I could shave daily without problems, so my face hasn't been used to wet shaving for a while.

Also I'm going to be giving DE shaving a try later this week when I get some blades in. Would you think it should give me less problems? Maybe I'll just keep my straight around for when I've had lots of growth and want to chop it off fast. I do enjoy growing the occasional beard so it definitely comes in handy when you have lots of hair.

I can't comment much on DE shaving, but I find that about every 36 hours is where I can get a good shave in. I spent 6 years in the Navy and was required by uniform regulations to shave every 24 hours, and it was a bit too often, even with an electric, but had to be done. If I am looking for the closest shave possible in under 36 hours with a straight I need to use a shallow angle, similar to making a 2nd or 3rd pass when the hairs are already cut off pretty short. It is like you jumped into your shave after the first pass. Not that my post provides much in terms of suggestions, but I can identify with your situation, which makes it a bit more common I guess.

Everybody's face is different of course, but I definitely find days when I decide that an ATG pass is not in the cards, either because I can feel irritation starting, or things just don't feel comfortable. I make do with WTG passes, and let it go at that. I think I end up with as good a shave as most guys at work, even if it doesn't meet my standards. By the next day, things are usually fine.

It's been years since I shaved with a DE, so I can't comment on that aspect of things. Good luck!

Fred

CleanCutCanuck, you're not alone. Many guys here, including myself, have sensitive skin that will not tolerate daily shaving. This is the case for me no matter what shaving appliance I use, including DE's. I'm one of the lucky ones I guess, because I don't have to be clean shaven daily for work.

If it's not in the cards it's not in the cards.

A little confusing . Try to use less pressure see what happens?
This is what i think(could be wrong)
if you have 24 hours grow your hairs is not hard enough that is why your blade doesn't shave you very well(blade most likely not sharp) that is why you are unintentionally using pressure + too many passes.
after couple days grow your hair is stiffer and as blade is not so sharp a little pressure will help cut the hairs and you don't do too many passes.
does this makes any sense?
try find out someone in canada check your blade. gl

I am in the exact same boat my friend. I am fortunate enough to have jobs that don't require a clean cut appearance at all so shaving is at my leisure. I have found that shaving too often increases my ingrown count, and weepers as well. If I wait longer between shaves my skin can fix itself, ungrow the one or two ingrowns, and be ready for a nice easy shave.
I think shaving frequently requires a minimum level of experience and technique, a level which I have not reached yet. Also as hi_bud mentioned, it requires a high level of sharpness that we amateurs compensate for with pressure and incorrect angle. These are also factors that should improve as one continues to shave. For some it happens immediately, for others it takes years. But I am fine with this and am in no hurry, improvements come each and every shave and I am enjoying the journey, every bloody nick along the way.
Plus! removing a weeks worth of stubble feels so much better to me than shaving frequently. More of a release for me that way.

I would have thought the razor was sharp since it cut the full beard easier. However after what hi_bud_gl said I think I'll look into getting it honed up since it has been a while. Hopefully that can improve things for me. I know there is a local barber that supposedly does a really nice straight shave, maybe I'll pop in for a shave and pick his brain at the same time.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem. I also have a job that doesn't require having a clean shaven face every day and I take advantage of that, despite my name. haha.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

A little confusing . Try to use less pressure see what happens?
This is what i think(could be wrong)
if you have 24 hours grow your hairs is not hard enough that is why your blade doesn't shave you very well(blade most likely not sharp) that is why you are unintentionally using pressure + too many passes.
after couple days grow your hair is stiffer and as blade is not so sharp a little pressure will help cut the hairs and you don't do too many passes.
does this makes any sense?
try find out someone in canada check your blade. gl

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My thoughts also Sham

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

A little confusing . Try to use less pressure see what happens?
This is what i think(could be wrong)
if you have 24 hours grow your hairs is not hard enough that is why your blade doesn't shave you very well(blade most likely not sharp) that is why you are unintentionally using pressure + too many passes.
after couple days grow your hair is stiffer and as blade is not so sharp a little pressure will help cut the hairs and you don't do too many passes.
does this makes any sense?
try find out someone in canada check your blade. gl

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Gentlemen:

Include me in on the learned hi_bud_gl's reasoning.

Shavers sometimes will try to compensate for numerous obstacles by using ". . . pressure + too many passes," he notes. That especially is true with gentlemen shavers in the initial stages of honing their skills with a straight razor.

My solution for such a problem, assuming my razor is sharp, is to lighten up on the pressure, keep the strokes short, and minimize the number of times I go over the same spot. My shave might not be as good as I would want it initially, but in time it will improve as my skills improve.

Regards,

Obie

I have found that my prep makes a big difference when i have very little growth. I used to shave every 3 days or so because i felt i could get a better shave with a bit longer growth. For whatever reason, my beard would be much more hydrated after a shower with longer growth. I started to do a prep of a light layer of lather and a super hot, wet towel and let that sit for a minute or two. It hydrates the beard a lot more which allows me to use less pressure and less passes.

When I started out, I was getting terrible razor burn and terrible shaves (probably as much from trying to shave irritated skin as from lack of skill). I found that I could shave for three day, max and then taking a one day break. I also used some Nivea shave balm which helped. I've never tried alum block but it seems to be pretty good according to many of the experienced members here. In time, my skin adapted so that now, I shave every day and rarely have irritation unless I'm using a blade that's way overdue.

It takes time and coaching to get to a place where you can shave daily. I also find that with a straight I don't have to shave everyday and still look the part :p

Pressure is also very high on the list of things done wrong that you don't notice. Finding that right pressure point takes time and practice. Also the shape of your blade will make the pressure feel different between razors so when starting out you should try only using one razor, till you get confident in your new skills.

I couldnt shave daily with my straight razor when I first started. It took me a good few weeks to get my technique up to the standard where I could shave everyday. It also took a while for my skin to get used to it..!

As DwarvenChef says, watch your pressure. Too much and you'll be razor burn central..!

Good luck and keep us posted!