Thread: Still can't get it. Please help

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The first 2 or 3 weeks (shaving daily) I used a DE to finish my chin and the difficult parts of my neck. Say that to say that since you are shaving every few days and tried the straight 15 times, if I understood correctly, what you're going through is not unheard of. As crazy as it may sound try no prep and lather with cold water.

Rub the lather in with your finger tips. Do not rinse but do relather. Try the shave and see if it doesn't improve. That is my daily routine. Also you might go to 30 and 30 linen and leather on the stropping. Sometimes it can be too much of a good thing. Also remember that gradual stubble removal is preferable than trying to get it all with one pass. Some do 3 and 4. I do 2 as a rule.

Hey Jimmy and thanks for your help. I did speak to you a while ago about cold water shaving and tried it only to be unsuccessful at that too lol. It feels that it pulls more with no prep and cold water.

Question did you strop the razor before your first shave?

Originally Posted by Castel33

Question did you strop the razor before your first shave?

Negative. I didn't want to mess it up by stropping it wrong lol

Remembering my first couple of weeks, I felt awkward holding the razor. That is with daily shaving and it took awhile to feel comfortable with manipulating it. The tendency to press into the skin was there too. Took some time for me to learn to let the razor glide on the skin and cut the whiskers. If I didn't get it all the first time it was there to be gotten on the next pass. Not sure if any of that applies. Just thinking out loud.

I would recommend getting the razor re-honed only to be sure and then see if one of the NY folks can watch you shave. I can't tell at this point if your trying too hard or if it really may be just a technique thing. Having someone there to watch and help will gain you light years when your at the level of frustration you are showing. The most puzzling thing is that the cheek is no problem but then the neck is.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by AnthonySzum

One thing I do notice is that after making one little pass on my face, my skin where I just shaved is very sticky and dry.

I saw you said you tried the oil, but did you try oil only, or oil and then lather? I sometimes use a shave oil under the lather and it makes a super smooth shave for me. Oil alone did nothing for me, but under lather made a huge difference. You can use grapeseed oil if you don't have shave oil , if you don't want to get the fancy stuff just to try. That's basically what it is anyways.

Also perhaps shave more often, I found it easier in the beginning to shave every day and not let it grow much inbetween. Persistance is key - I had some tugging issues myself when I started out but now it's all smooth sailing. Best of luck.

You can really screw up the angle when it comes to you neck. The contours of it, it's angled, it's under your face, and it's relatively hard for some to get the proper angle when it comes to the neck. I hope your not using any pressure when you shave, that would most definitely cause pain. When you do your neck, have the blade nearly flat on your skin, very minimal angle, See if you feel any pain then, lightly shave the cream off. If this works, gradually increase your angle so your getting a proper shave, and feeling no pain...

As previously mentioned, Shaving is the true test...Angle is the biggest problem with new str8 shavers.

P.S. Not to beat a dead horse, but you must strop it before you shave.
You can do 25 linen, and 50 leather...go slow, and be methodical about it.
Speed will come, right know, go for consistency and accuracy....

I might help to get it rehoned. After all, SRD does offer a free honing after buying a razor from them right?

I know you said that it's shaving arm hair, and that it pulled in the beginning. But consider that arm hair can be cut,allegedly, after a 1000K stone. That doesn't mean it's shave ready. As for pulling in the beginning, well that just means it was pulling because of your technique. My razor pulled in the beginning too but now it doesn't. Your razor might be dull now!

Maybe try shaving with the spine against your skin? Light pressure--I know you're probably tired of reading that.

Also maybe try shaving everyday and see if that helps? Possibly the longer hair would be harder to cut? I don't know, it's just a thought.

I would like to help you out considering I live near you, but I'm still a newb.

I just started back with str8 razor shaving after about 30 years. It was really bad for the first few shaves. I probably took 3 layers of skin off along with the beard and had a few nicks. I kept trying and thing are fine now. Here is my advice to beginners. Good beard prep. Sharp blade. Don't worry about the HHT. You will know when you shave if it is right or wrong. Pull skin. Short strokes perpendicular to the edge. Light touch meaning don't lean into the blade. Proper angle. Learn your face. Go slow. Don't worry about a BBS shave. Gain confidence and technique and speed will come naturally. Finally don't get discourage. The only time I nick myself anymore is when I'm moving the blade around my face not paying attention to how close it is to my skin. We all make mistakes.

Maybe your skin is really sensitive, or you're putting too much weight on the razor? Also, 15 shaves might not be enough time to learn all the ins & outs. I still get bad shaves from time to time. Keep at it & take your time, you'll start to get better results.