Thread: razor burn

I was getting some pretty bad razor burn the first few weeks I started back in December. With the advice of the fine gentlemen of this site I was able to over come it for the most part. I slowed down my strop to make sure I was getting the blade as keen an edge as possible before the shave, I learned where a good 30degree angle really was on the blade and that it is true the least pressure used the best the end result. I had to stop shaving with my straight razor for about 5 days to let the razor burn clear up enough to attempt again but it was worth it. It gave me time to just sit down and improve my stropping technique. Even if your blade was bought professionaly honed and shave ready, if you strop it wrong you can destroy that edge in no time flat. Hope this helps from one nub to another.

Respectfully
Terry

I thank you all for the great advice. As for the shave readiness and quality of the blade, it is a dovo white bone bismarck that came with the label indicating that it was honed by Lynn Abrams hisself and didn't even need stropping. Cool for me, since I can barely spell stropping, let alone accomplish it yet (will be doing it before the next attempt of course).
I know it's my technique and, like GI Joe says, knowing is half the battle.
Once again, thanks for the advice. You guys are great.

I finally did the whole WTG, XTG, ATG shave today, Have been at this straight razor thing for about a week. My face is so smooth, but it is still on fire several hours later. I thought maybe I needed a different post shave routine but I am gonna try a lighter touch. After reading these posts I think I am being heavy handed due to the ol Gillette sensor. I did order some Thayers alcohol free rose water witch hazel with aloe. Hope that helps too.

This should make you feel a bit better guy, I remember when I 1st started and was getting very, very close shaves, lots of fire on my face, not cut up you understand, just from loosing 9 of my 7 layers of skins cells!! I actually had to use Ne-osporin straight all over my face like a face cream to make it easier to rest while it all healed up.

Now, that's razor burn!!

Have a good one, or two, tinkersd

The information in these threads is unreal. I started straight razor shaving about a month ago with no knowledge or advice from others. I have learned a lot from the experiences of others and from creating my own pink lather. When I first saw a posting from Pink Lather, I didn't know what it was...now I know.

After reading these posts I have stopped getting cuts and razor burn...but I still get nicks. I have my oldest son using a str8 now and he also loves it. To all those who have provided advice, I thank you.

as most veterans (which i am certainly not) would agree with me:
if you start shaving with a straight, aim for comfort in the shaveness, not closeness of the shave.

The first razor burn I got in my life was when I used a straight for the first time. Just because I had been to eager. And my blade was factory new, so no Lynn honing skill goodness on my face, either.

It just all comes down whether you truly want to learn that skill or not.
I wanted to learn that skill because I thought it was cool (it actually is). After a while, I noticed a benefit which I never really counted on in the beginning: It's healthier for my skin than using cartridge razors. If done right.
That should be all the motivation someone needs to start straight razor shaving, IMHO.

Theres a few things that will lead to razor burn:

- Poor face prep (but it sounds from your post like you're doing this right)
- A badly honed razor
- Too much pressure

If you're relatively new its probably too much pressure (assuming you bought your razor from a reputable source).

The best thing to do is give your face a few days to heal. Creams and lotions will help but eventually you'll either end up beet red or with zits or something, and you dont want that.

Avoid the ATG stroke as well, thats a real one for getting your face sore. It tends to pull the pores at the base of the hair open slightly and that causes irritation as well as allowing germs/dirt to get in an infect the root of the hair. I simply cant do the ATG stroke at all, it just scarifies my face..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

For good measure:

I got Proraso razor burn repair. Works great, it just disappears.... I think i'll try the aloe vera gel as well....