Shaving everyday

I sent in my straight razor last week to have it restored, but here is the delima still...

How do you shave EVERY DAY?

I feel like my shaving has improved leaps and bounds since I started reading on these forums, but I still cannot shave everyday, its too harsh on my neck.

I could not use an electric, so over the years I've been using the usual Mach 3's and such, cannot wait to get my straight back to start trying to shave with a straight. Luckily my job does not require me to be clean shaven everyday so I am forutunate there...

What do I need to do to make it easier on my neck? I have sensitive skin, but do I need to just start making myself shave everyday so my neck toughens up???

That will come with time. Two things - your skin will break in, which can take 5 - 6 months, and your technique will improve. The skin you can't do anything about. Make sure your prep is good and use a good post shave balm like Nivea Replenishing balm - it will help quite a bit. But the technique is something you need to work at. Correct blade angles and a light touch develop over time.

One day it will just all come together. It has for so many of us. Keep at it.

David

Something I may clarify is that I have NOT shaved with a straight yet...

I think part of the problem may be is that I'm a cheap you know what, so I don't change my cartriges often enough. Just get tired of payin $10 for a 4 pack of cartriges that don't last long enough.

I discovered that I can shave every day with a straight if I keep my touch incredibly light. When I seem to notice the most discomfort is when I obsess over getting a BBS shave every day.

To me, the great paradox of shaving with a straight is when I lighten up- literally and figuratively - and don't try to get a BBS shave, I'm more likely to get one. And it's without the razor burn.

Of course, your skin is not my skin, so YMMV.

I've also noticed that I more consistently get a BBS shave with 2 days' growth instead of 1. To me, this is the ultimate torture. My brain says "shave every other day so I'll get the BBS", but my heart says "no way am I going to miss one day of doing something I love so much". My heart usually wins:)

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Originally Posted by PWillis

Something I may clarify is that I have NOT shaved with a straight yet...

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Have you wet shaved in the past, or only used the foam in the can?

What I started out with when first shaving was with an electric

Then to Mach style cartriges with gel

Now since joining this site, my mom gave me her dads shave mug with soap still in it, brush and straight razor. Like I said I just got it sent off last week sometime.

I have been showering, using either Williams or VDH pucks and the usual Fusion cartriges and my shaves have improved greatly. I used to shave before the shower, and COULD NOT use aftershave at all, it was like off of HOME ALONE for me. So now I can use aftershaves with minimal burn. I'll say this, I am using up a bottle of Brute that is I bet 15 years old... Finally used up a bottle of Stetson my wife's grandparents bought me 5 years ago, so...

I would like to also try the DE like with a Merker, kinda long explanation but there ya go

The reason I asked is that I used electrics for years because I though I couldn't use a safety razor without getting razor burn. When I tried wet shaving I discovered that I could use a safety razor - so the problem wasn't the blade, it was the lubricant (or lack thereof).

Obviously there is a great degree of variation in every guys' skin type and tolerance to daily shaving. There are many variable to getting a great shave, but don't overlook prep.

Taking a shower first and leaving your beard damp is really important. Good quality lather makes a huge difference also. I use Uberlather - a guy with username Jockeys has a video on how to make it. I can't locate it, but try the search and see if you can find it. I have to go to a meeting so I can look later if you can't find it.

Greg

Well, if there is any point in listening to a fellow noob's advice, keep reading...

I'm in my mid twenties now and I've been shaving with a straight for about a month now. Never in my life have I shaved every day before I started straight shaving. I've been shaving for about 8 years now and the most my skin could take was shaving every other day.

I've been shaving every day for the last 8-10 days. The razor burn is almost gone, and my skin is all OK after about an hour. I used to have a lot of irritation, pimples and itching areas on the skin.

That's all gone now. How did I achieve this?

There are several factors that contributed to this.

• Make sure your razor is clean. Wipe it with alcohol before and after shaving.
• Make sure your razor is sharp. Strop it before use.
• Shower before shaving.
• Put the wet, hot towel on your face before shaving.
• Always use a fresh towel. Throw it in the laundry after use.
• Don't try to get too close of a shave. At least for the first months.
• Take your time.
• Don't shave against the grain. WTG and XTG is enough.
• Enjoy the shave. Really, I totally love doing it. Makes me feel bad ass.

Now, mind that these factors are what is good for me. Your mileage may vary.
I also never shower in the morning. I feel that exposing your freshly shaven skin to the dangers and hassles of everyday life for the entire day right after scraping off your dead skin cells etc. isn't doing it much good. To me, it feels as if there were nothing to protect my skin from all those mean microbes, dirt particles and stuff that fly around in the air after shaving in the morning.


As I said, that's what works for me. And it works very well. It might totally not work for you. I am a noob at this and I actually don't know jack about it (except that I love it).

I also CANNOT shave everyday..too much raw feeling on my face and neck...don't worry about unless your drill instructor tell you to..:argue:

2-3 days is the average time to wait to shave again..BTW: I have very coarse hair n sensitive skin also..3 days is a nice timeline to wait IMO

PcDad

The best advice I can give is to just shave being mindful of strokes, angle and pressure and forget about shave quality. With time it will come. If you start obsessing about BBS from the start you'll just keep doing added strokes and you face won't let you forget it.

I shave (BBS) everyday with a straight generally, of late though I have been trying out a Merkur 34c HD. The DE is easy enough to shave with and much easier to get BBS with from the word go. No real learning curve after straight shaving, but if you haven't done either, the same rule applies to both, 'Light touch and approx 30 degree angle'. I found I had to give myself a break with the DE as part of the difference with the DE is finding the right blade to suit your face. Managed to land a dodgy blade I think as one pass of a Derby and I could feel my face burn. Today was a straight day and I will re-try that blade again tomorrow...Might have been my technique that was faulty. I've had successful shaves with the DE before that though.
Anyway enjoy the learning curve, take it slow and easy, don't aim for BBS straight away and only shave as often as you are able, giving your face a proper break if you need to heal any razor burn.


Mick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PWillis

Something I may clarify is that I have NOT shaved with a straight yet...

I think part of the problem may be is that I'm a cheap you know what, so I don't change my cartriges often enough. Just get tired of payin $10 for a 4 pack of cartriges that don't last long enough.

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When I started out with a straight, I had to skip every third day. If your skin is especially sensitive, you may want to go every other day. The usual advice of starting with just the cheeks at first is worth heeding. Wait until you're more comfortable putting that naked blade on your bare skin before trying the more difficult and sensitive areas such as the chin and neck. I found the balms worked well and others have recommended alum block. As for cartridges, I used to change the blade about once a month. Thank God those days are gone.

PWillis,

You mentioned you haven't shaved with a straight razor yet. I think you will find that once you start shaving with your straight you will discover that shaving everyday is something you can do with minimal or no irritation. Keep in mind that there is a learning curve, so this probably wont happen over night. Also keep in mind what everyone has been saying so far in regards to keeping a light touch, not obsessing over BBS and so on. Lots of good advice.

On a personal note, my neck is absolutely the hardest part to shave. Those little hollows on both sides of my adams apple can really turn into a disaster if I'm not careful. In fact the last time I shaved I messed up and caused some irritation in that area. I skipped shaving yesterday, just to give my skin time to recover (indulged in a clay facemask instead:).) so I'll be back at it tonight. Hurray!

Let us know how it goes once you get your razor back. Everyone here will help out as best they can if you have any questions.

Good luck,
Matthew

Wow guys, thanks for all the helpful information.

I am sure you will be hearing back from me once I do recieve my straight back. I sent it to a memeber here on these forums so I have high hopes on how it turns out...

That uberlather, is that where people are adding pure glycerin to it? If so where would I be able to find that at? Drug store?

I have also tried hitting the local antique shops around here for straights and DE's but no luck. All the have are old nasty brushes and mugs for sale. Oh well.

Guy I work with collects straights, but I can't talk him out of ANY of them. I have not seen any of them yet as he keeps promising to bring them to show.

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Originally Posted by Alembic

That will come with time. Two things - your skin will break in, which can take 5 - 6 months, and your technique will improve. The skin you can't do anything about. Make sure your prep is good and use a good post shave balm like Nivea Replenishing balm - it will help quite a bit. But the technique is something you need to work at. Correct blade angles and a light touch develop over time.

One day it will just all come together. It has for so many of us. Keep at it.

David

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What David said! :D

I really like Trumpers skin food as an AS balm, that really helps my skin recover.

One thing that has made a big difference for me is using 'Kyle's Prep' as discussed on badgerandblade.com. I think my neck would get really irritated because i wouldn't get it sufficiently wet.

The second thing that I have been focusing on is mastering my with the grain pass. With 2 WTG passes, i get an excellent shave that is better than any shave i could get with a Mach 3 or whatever with no irritation. Personally, i am shooting for no irritation. Closeness will come with time.

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Originally Posted by PWillis

That uberlather, is that where people are adding pure glycerin to it? If so where would I be able to find that at? Drug store?.

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You can buy glycerin at any store that carries cake decorating supplies such as Michaels. Glycerin is used in making fondant icing for cakes.

Have you bought a strop and hone to go with your pop's hardware or did he have one of each in his collection?

No I have not bought a strop or hone yet for it. I am going to have the guy restoring it go ahead and hone and strop it for me so I know for sure how it is supposed to be.

Got any good suggestions on a strop and hone? I did not plan on buying a hone. Do I NEED one? How long does it last between hones?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PWillis

No I have not bought a strop or hone yet for it. I am going to have the guy restoring it go ahead and hone and strop it for me so I know for sure how it is supposed to be.

Got any good suggestions on a strop and hone? I did not plan on buying a hone. Do I NEED one? How long does it last between hones?

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You need to buy a strop and plan on stropping before each shave. If the person honing tells you they've already stropped it you can skip stropping before your 1st shave. SRD has some great strops - the English bridle is fantastic!

As for honing, you can postpone this until you're more proficient at shaving. There are numerous SRP members who hone for a reasonable fee when your razor needs it. Although some people tackle honing early in their straight-shaving experience it's just one more variable in the equation, and may hinder isolating the source of problems with your early shaves.

Greg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PWillis

No I have not bought a strop or hone yet for it. I am going to have the guy restoring it go ahead and hone and strop it for me so I know for sure how it is supposed to be.

Got any good suggestions on a strop and hone? I did not plan on buying a hone. Do I NEED one? How long does it last between hones?

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I bought a filly strop and have been pretty pleased with it. They are inexpensive so it isn't too heart breaking when you nick it. (yes, you will nick your strop).

Some people have been able to use the backside of a filly strop which is covered in CrOx to maintain a blade, but i didn't have a lot of luck with it. It could certainly be user error though!