Thread: cuts my face and leaves the hair

hey, i am very new and really dont understand how i can cut myself ( a lot) and not remove hair. My razor ( fromm 72r) was honed by a member of this site so i know it is sharp. i have tried a couple different angles but it just feels like i am pulling the hairs instead of actually cutting them.
Any ideas or similar experience?

Dont get discouraged, it gets better as you practice and get better with pressure, angle and technique. On my first shaves I was not streching my skin very well so make sure you work on streching. I also was using way to much pressure like a guy trying to scrape mud off a window. I watched Jockeys videos and he really talks about using very light pressure and that helped alot and also watching your angle. They say about 30 degree angle and to start a little flat and just raise the angle untill it cuts cleanly. There are very experianced guys here and im sure you will get all the help you need. Im fairly new and still working on a light touch so keep at it. Like everyone has said it gets better and better.
Glenn

I had the same problem on my first couple of shaves. I'm new at this too so here's my experiences. Give the blade a good stropping. Really watch the blade on the leather. Use no pressure. Try some glycerin mixed in with your lather. It helps the blade slide. I started at wrong angles and before I got it figured out, the lather was off my face and was dry. Try putting the blade flat against your face so the spine is touching as well. Pull the spine off maybe an 1/8" and start a short stroke and continue raising the spine off your face increasing the angle until you start to hear the sound of "buttering toast". Once you hear this sound back off on the angle a little. You'll find that it is around 30°. Keep your face well lathered. I keep re-lathering if I take too long on one spot just to keep everything warm and wet. Go slow and enjoy. I was really mad at myself the first couple of times and almost gave up. I'm glad I didn't cause every shave now I pick up more info on the mechanics and the angles. It keeps getting better. Also invest in a styptic pencil. Your gonna need it. I know I do.

-Alex

Try laying the razor flat on your face, then bring the spine about one spine width away from the surface of your face. Then on just the side-burn area of your face make one smooth deliberate down stroke of one inch. It should remove hair but not skin. The amount of pressure to use is just enough to keep the cutting surface of the razor in contact with your face. Think of brushing a feather lightly across you face.
There could be other factors as well like did you roll the edge stropping incorrectly. If you could give more information about what is happining and what steps you did before putting the blade to your face would be great to help some of the more experienced guys give you some additional pointers.

+1 to what Rgc said I know its probally not what you wanted to here but for the most part what your describing sounds like a technique problem and that will come with time follow the advice of starting with the blade pretty much flat against your skin and slowly raise the angle till the blade cuts without pulling.

Also make sure to study your face in the mirror and see how your hair is growing and that when you are going WTG you really are. Face prep is also important showering or soaking you beard in warm water is important to soften it up and make it easier to cut.

Probally next to a sharp razor and good technique the lather you make is the next immportant step taking time to learn to make a good lather will save you alot of headaches and razor burn. I would sugest going on youtube and watching manitic59's videos on lathering.

Overal take it slow and if you have to just do you sideburns and checks for awhile till you get comfortable with those angles then that knowledge will help you tackle the tricker areas of your neck and chin.

The other option is that if you stropped your razor you may have done it wrong and damaged the edge and it may need to be redone

Originally Posted by stoob82

hey, i am very new and really dont understand how i can cut myself ( a lot) and not remove hair. My razor ( fromm 72r) was honed by a member of this site so i know it is sharp. i have tried a couple different angles but it just feels like i am pulling the hairs instead of actually cutting them.
Any ideas or similar experience?

Sorry to say.
You have problem with sharpness of the blade.
it is not the srp members mistake. It is your blade.
all above is correct if you are talking about new Fromm blade.
Old ones should be ok.
hope this helps.