Thread: razor burn

OK here's my problem, I have gotten some great antique razors, and they all give me an amazing shave, but, no matter what I try, I am still getting hellish razor burn on my throat. Any advice how to avoid that?

If so please let me know.
thanks,
Rich

What is your past experience with straight razors?
What is your past experience with wet shaving?
What are the brands of razors?
Did you purchase these from a reputable vendor/classifieds member that provides shave ready razors or ebay/antique shop?

If ebay/antique shop, did you send it out to be honed?

Originally Posted by SAVAGE11

OK here's my problem, I have gotten some great antique razors, and they all give me an amazing shave, but, no matter what I try, I am still getting hellish razor burn on my throat. Any advice how to avoid that?

If so please let me know.
thanks,
Rich

One thing I find that really helps prevent razor burn for me, is to use rubbing alcohol after you have shaven (yes I know it burns, but it works), then immediately use a Cold, wet wash cloth on the face. This combination closes the pores, and reduces razor burn.

Hi Rich,

A few questions.
1. How long have you been shaving?
2. Are your antiques shave ready? If so how did they become shave ready?
3. Have you read the wiki on shaving, particularly shave angle of the blade to the skin?
4. What is your post shave treatment?

So what we are looking for here is:
1. Has your skin broken in yet? This can be 5 or 6 months.
2. Your razors are sharp and your stropping is producing good results.
3. Your technique has the blade at the proper angle. Without the correct angle, you tend to use too much pressure, which equals a lot of razor burn.
4. Make sure you use a good post shave balm. I have just started using Nivea Replenishing Post Shave Balm. The stuff is amazing for the price.

Prep is also important, such as well softened whiskers.

The other thing I can tell you is that the scything cut from the Wiki has made a tremedous difference in my shaving technique to reduce burn on my neck. With a scything cut, you are actually shearing the whisker by slicing, which is important on the neck area where the skin tends to be thin and sensitive.

Cheers,

David

Usually if you have razor burn and you know your razor is properly sharp and you've done enough straight shaving that you skin is accustomed to it the issue is doing to many passes or too aggressive an angle or too much pressure. That's what you need to examine.

Ok I have been shaving with a straight razor for 5 years, i was taught by an WW2 vet who i was parttime care giver for.
As far as wet shaving i have been wet shaving since I was 14 years old, i am alergic to aresol propelants in shaving creams, so the hot lather is all i have ever used.
I i switch between an antique Baldwin Nomad whtch was civen to me by the WW2 vet i cared for, an antique Mt. Lebanon blue steel which i got at an antique shop, and an old shumate razor i got at an antique shop.
I hone and strop them all, i was also taught that by the vet i cared for...
I have always gotten bad razor burn on my neck even before i used straight razors, so i dont think it is the hone, but i am willing to try a honing service to see if that helps.

I recently had a visit by my best man. He introduced me to straight shaving, and has been maintaining his razors for many years. He's only half German, which probably makes the slight difference:

1. Wrong stropping technique.
2. Razors I wouldn't open letters with.
3. Inadequate soap, and lather.
4. Wrong angles, and too much pressure, across the board.

Eh, it only took me two years to find that out... But he's now got the Marx below (thanks a million for the engraving and the razor, Tim, you've made my best man very happy!), and CarrieM's lemongrass SC and ASB on the way to San Diego. And - to answer your question - another moderator has offered to hone his razors. Sharp is not necessarily shaving sharp, and bets are on that you'll be surprised by what you'll get back from a professional honer.

Good luck,
Robin

+1 on the previous advice.

However, it also sounds like you have very sensitive skin on your throat. Perhaps, along with sending at least one of your razors out for an expert honing, you may want to discuss your razor burn with a pharmacist or a dermatologist. They may be able to suggest some remedy to reduce or eliminate the razor burn you have experienced on your throat the entire time you have been wet shaving.

I tend to have the same problem on the lower part of my neck from time-to-time. The beard is coarse and grows a funny direction there, and sometimes when I make ATG passes the result is a health razor burn. I've taken a cue from Obie, and just understand that I won't get a perfect BBS shave all the time - especially on that part of my face.

Hope you get the problem figured out.

Larry

Okay, maybe this is a stupid question... but are sure you're shaving with the grain on your throat? Aside from the stuff already mentioned - blade sharpness, angle, pressure - it's the only thing outside of a skin sensativity issue that I can think of that would cause both a straight razor AND a DE or cartridge razor to cause such harsh razor burn.