Thread: razor pulls & tugs + razor burn

Hi Guys


First of all, I would like to apologize for spamming the beginner sub-board with new threads.

Secondly, I want to thank you guys again for this great place.

A good thing is that I immediately got hooked on straight razor shaving.

Did my 3rd shave today and I have to say the more I do it, the more I like it. I have never had such a clean and tight shave in my life!

However, I have some serious razorburn (like the last two times).
It can't be the blade. I visited a professional cutler today and he said the razor was fine. He was being very nice and stropped the razor for me.

I let the shaving cream on my face for about 2-3 minutes, then lathered again to prevent it from drying out and waited another 2-3 minutes. And I did shower prior to that.

However, the razor is hard for me to handle in certain areas, especially around the chin and the mustache. I nicked myself a couple of times too (my colleagues at work are gonna laugh at me tomorrow, haha).

Now, what am I doing wrong?
Is it perhaps that I shaved 3 days in a row? I usually didn't do that, I mostly shaved twice or thrice a week.


I guess I should wait for my beard to wait a little longer, at least 3 days. Would that help improving my 4th straight shaving experience?

What go you mean by "professional cutler", a knife guy?


I have no doubts that your skill with a razor will improve and that it needs to, but the "professional cutler" scares me, knife guys know NOTHING about razors unless they are using them. It would probably pay off to send your razor to one of our members listed in the classified section of this website that specialize in honing razors, razors are an entirely different breed from knives.

A KNIFE GUY!

BTW: It does take some time for the face to adjust to a straight razors edge, you may wish to alternate shaves between the straight and whatever blade you are used to.

Welcome to SRP, you are going to love it!

Welcome, Was your razor honed professionally ? Are you watching your angle 30 degrees or less ? Little to no pressure? Just some things to consider. Good luck.

shiznix,

Shaving with a straight is a skill that takes a little while to come together.

With a couple of dozen shaves under your belt, things will really start to gel nicely for you I am sure

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

if i was you i would watch as many videos on utube and watch there technique around chin and tash area . i shave with left hand for left side and right hand for right side its much easier .

Shaving around the chin is tough for many guys, at first.

Hello, Shiznix:

I agree with the excellent comments offered thus far. Yes, I, too, recommend to have your razor honed by a professional "razor" hone master.

You will need time to hone your skill. Here are somethings to keep in mind:

1. Apply no pressure with the razor. Let the razor's weight be enough pressure on your face.

2. Don't shave over the same spot excessively. This sometimes results in razor burn.

3. Use short strokes.

4. Go mostly with the grain until you familiarize yourself more with your razor's characteristics and how it sits in your hands. Also how your face handles the straight razor. Then add across the cross strokes. For now, stay away from against the grain strokes.

5. Keep the blade angle at 30 degrees in most places. The 30-degree figure is a general number. I keep my angle at mostly 20 degrees in places. The angle changes in the mustache, chin and neck areas. These are also difficult parts to master.

6. In time you will master all this. For now, have patience and stay with it.

7. Pay special attention to your stropping. This is extremely important.

8. The preparation and lathering is just as important. Spend time on that, too.

9. As others have recommended, watch as many videos on stropping, lathering and shaving as you can. Also read as much as you can. And questions are welcome.

10. It takes time, but it's worth it.

Regards,
Obie

When I first started I could not believe how much it burned my face. it takes some time and effort and mostly skill. after a while it will stop burning and our shaves will get much better.
Keep trying and take the advice of the folks that know what they are doing.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

When I first started I could not believe how much it burned my face. it takes some time and effort and mostly skill. after a while it will stop burning and our shaves will get much better.
Keep trying and take the advice of the folks that know what they are doing.

I hope you are right. Lately my face has been burning everyday.

Originally Posted by dancraig

Shaving around the chin is tough for many guys, at first.

After about a dozen shaves leaving the chin alone, i've now shaved my chin twice with the straight. I look like I fell into a bramble patch, but the confidence is growing and i'm improving.

By the way, here in the Missouri Ozarks we don't often read terms like cutler and thrice.