Thread: Razor burn!!

I truly do appreciate all the help. Would have never expected the witch hazel. On another note, what do you guys like to use as a good smelling, moisturizing after shave?

Originally Posted by Fbones24

Well, the razor burn may be due to the blade you are using. I tried a "disposable straight" once and I never used it again. I think the shave with a true straight is much gentler and kinder to your skin.

I have a JR Torrey for sale in the Classifieds right now. If you want it, it is yours for the cost of shipping. It would be a very cheap way to get started. Of course, you will need a strop and the aforementioned soap and brush. I will not send it to you unless you promise to stop using canned goop!

Lol... No more canned goop, I learned my lesson and have the scars and red face to prove it. I appreciate the help. I'm getting my Paypal account back up and running so I will be in touch about the sale shortly. Anything I really need to know as far as the transition? Obviously now I need a strop, which is something else I'm sure I'll have to learn, but its all worth it in opinion I never thought I'd be looking forward to shaving so much, it was a chore, but now it's a highlight of my day.

Originally Posted by joshb1000

Lol... No more canned goop, I learned my lesson and have the scars and red face to prove it. I appreciate the help. I'm getting my Paypal account back up and running so I will be in touch about the sale shortly. Anything I really need to know as far as the transition? Obviously now I need a strop, which is something else I'm sure I'll have to learn, but its all worth it in opinion I never thought I'd be looking forward to shaving so much, it was a chore, but now it's a highlight of my day.

Just to be clear, you do not need to purchase the razor if you want it. Get your pay pal going and I will give it to you as long as you cover the shipping. Just PM me when ready and let me know.

As far as what you need to learn, I think the best thing you could do is read the wiki for beginners and watch a lot of youtube videos on shaving, lather making and stropping.

There are inexpensive strop options available out there, so do some research on that as well. In addition, you can always head down to your local pharmacy or Wal-Mart and get a brush and soap there. Look for Williams or Van Der Hagen.

I will definitely keep you updated on the paypal I'm going to work on that issue right now, I truly appreciate the offer of the straight. I am running down to wal-mart in the morning to pick up a brush and soap until my order gets in, and picking up some witch hazel and after shave , thanks so much again.

+1 on pretty much everything said by Fbones. I also found the parraso pre/post shave cream works well to stop/soothe razor burn. Brut after shave will also help soothe the razor burn do to the methenol in it but really won't help heal it.

I don't really know your disposable razor holder but they all work and work well they are just alot less forgiving then real straights. I still use mine from time to time and they are real nice for traveling. Also you can probally only get two good shaves out of each blade then have to switch them out. After that you will run into the razor burn problem again.

Some good options on strops are at http://www.whippeddog.com/-----$19---Poor-Man-Strop-Kit-with-Leather-Strop/. The owner of this site is Larry Andro on here. The kit is nice cause it comes with a pasted basla strop to get you started and help maintan your razor. This is where I got started with real straights. I also just bought this one from star shaving supplies. 2" Leather Strop and have been real happy with it.

Good luck in the future and keep at it

Ultimately pressure and technique are going to be large factors influencing your burn. Remember... light pressure. Technique will come.

I prefer a hot towel post shave along with a high alcohol after shave. This was a golden combo find in my shaving life and I rarely get any burn these days.
Also maybe consider buying an even better soap than the Colonel Conk. I own them all and they are not great.. there is a lot better out there like Tabac, MWF, Cella, Palmolive stick etc.

I wish you great shaves.

Originally Posted by joshb1000

I know this is such a silly question, but I feel I need to ask it anyway; what is the best wayto deal with razor burn? I began using a straight razor not too long ago, and my first shave which was much anticipated, left menwith a really good feeling, so I attempted the same shave the next day, and ended up with razor burn from hell!! Since I am still waiting for my new Col. Conk shave soap to come in, I ran out and found some "invisible no lather shaving gel" it worked good for lubrication and didn't dry out, so I was pleased. Unfortunately I made a horrible rookie mistake the next day and used regular shaving cream... I know now why not to!!! So two questions, what is the best way to treat razor burn? And how long should I wait before I attempt the shave again? Any tips are welcome, and I have read the wikis on the site since that time, so I painfully learned my lesson.

I used good old fashioned Avon Moisture Cream. It soothed my face and it was ready to go the next morning.

One thing I think is important to note is that I suffered from discomfort and poor results for 40 years and just this year, when I got the hang of double edge razors and straight razors, the irritation vanished. An irritated face in my lifetime is a direct consequence of poor equipment.

By all means get the shaving soap. I started with Col. Conk soap myself. Inexpensive and long-lasting.

I stopped by walmart, picked up some witch hazel, a puck of VDH soap and some nivea sensitive after shave balm and a brush by Shea moisture. Not bad getting all for 20 bucks. I'm going to try them out this morning and let you all know how it goes. Fbones, I contacted paypal to fix my account issue and I'm currently waiting on some resolution.

Looks like you're all set. That brush has received positive reviews. I'm going to PM you regarding the razor.

LIke the guys have said, face prep to keep from burning in the first place. Blade angle and sharpeness es mui importante. If it happens anyway, I keep Pamper Sesitive baby wips on hand. The Benzocaine will deaden the pain associated with the burn. Anything with benzocaine, dibucaine etc will stop the pain. Look around in your pharmacy.
Mike