Thread: Damn...

Originally Posted by Bill S

This sounds right to me. In my experience as the angle of the blade gets steeper you need to use less pressure. This is one of the main reasons that the chin and neck areas cause us so much grief.

Sub-standard prep tends to to magnify other technique problems, so you may have had a "perfect storm" kind of situation.

Thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by hakan

It takes a while for your skin to adapt to the "scraping". Avoiding multi-pass-shaves the first couple of weeks eases your face into it while youre getting smoother with the blade. Relax. Enjoy.



HHT has severe limitations. Read wiki for explanation.



I read somewhere that; "It takes a while for your skin to adapt to scraping..."

Sounds like youre doing great. Ill end with a quote:

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it"

Thanks. I did give the HHT wiki a read, enlightening. I've been doing two passes WTG. I guess I shouldn't have continued when I felt the irritation. Oh well, no I know for next time.

Originally Posted by ace

You can add in a pre-shave oil if you like. I've used it and didn't notice much difference, but it can't hurt, especially when you're starting into straight shaving. I don't think it is necessary to dry your face first, though, just rub it in while your face is still wet.

The blades you are using are plenty sharp. You are very likely using WAY too much pressure, as I did with a Shavette at first. The results are always weepers, nicks, and plenty of razor burn. Using a Shavette will really refine your technique. You'll also become a Stypticmeister! Good luck!

Thanks. I am becoming pretty adept with the pencil xD. I ordered an Alum block actually. I've used them in the past for other uses, so I thought I'd get one to apply before the AS. I'll definitely make sure to maintain a no pressure stroke next time. But I think the problem was the angle, I'm pretty sure I was using more of a 45 degree angle at times and that caused the scrapping. Gotta watch that.

@Qatsats: Thanks a lot for the link. I knew the blade felt harsher than the Feathers. That along with too steep an angle probably caused the irritation. And you may just be right about the pressure. I thought I was using no pressure, but perhaps I was. Thanks for the help!


Thanks everyone for the input.

Originally Posted by HColl

Haha, I simply wanted her to see and feel the lather since she's been arguing it wouldn't be any different than the canned goo I used before. Suffice to say she was impressed with how it felt, even if it wasn't my best, but she was in a rush.?

Careful, dem wimmins have been known to appropriate shaving gear... first it's "Can I borrow your soap?" or you wonder why your soap is being worn away so quickly... then it's "Would you like to try shaving my legs with that thing?" or your pre-stropped razor isn't shaving as smoothly as you know it should..

Originally Posted by HColl

Anyway. I plan on using the same blade next time. I've heard these stay sharp a little longer than DE blades due to their increased thickness. Plus if I get a batter shave I'll definitely know it wasn't the blade.

I don't know.. the edge is the edge. The major difference is that you can strop these things.

Originally Posted by HColl

Question. When using a pre-shave oil such as olive oil, I assume you rinse your face, towel it dry and rub the oil in; then apply the lather over it?

Yes, and the consensus is using very little and spreading it thoroughly is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Bill S

Sub-standard prep tends to to magnify other technique problems, so you may have had a "perfect storm" kind of situation.

Absolutely, why didn't I put it like that?

Originally Posted by Lazarus

The stinging and the two weepers could also be a result of being a bit too aggressive with your angle and or pressure.

I agree I think you might have used too much pressure, especially when you rush your shave.

Originally Posted by AxelH

Careful, dem wimmins have been known to appropriate shaving gear... first it's "Can I borrow your soap?" or you wonder why your soap is being worn away so quickly... then it's "Would you like to try shaving my legs with that thing?" or your pre-stropped razor isn't shaving as smoothly as you know it should..

I wouldn't mind, as long as she'd let me teach her how to strop properly beforehand.

Originally Posted by Rekonball

I agree I think you might have used too much pressure, especially when you rush your shave.

Yeah, I'm thinking that was probably it; along with bad angle in some areas. Will probably shave again tomorrow. Maybe even later tonight if I feel like it. My alum block(RazoRock, neat product) just arrived too

Goshdarnit...

Ok. So I just gave it another try with the Personna blades(single edge). I did the best possible prep I know how to do, and I'm pretty sure it's good enough: hot shower followed by hot towel with lather followed by hot towel without. Proceeded to make an awesome feeling Uberlather using my COLC Glycerin soap and Derby cream, it was really thick and slick, looked like whipped cream. I was extremely careful not to use any pressure at all and maintained a 20-30ish degree angle throughout. The blade was barely touching my skin(how it should be I assume).

All this, yet it wasn't enough. I was doing my right side, first and only pass, WTG; cheek went fine, but once I got to the jaw and neck, oh man. First I was feeling it tug at my whiskers right on the jawline(which I stretched upwards so it lay just above the jawline so it's easier, like always do). I thought "Ok, the hair grows sideways here so I'm really going XTG. I should do a sideways stroke to go WTG." So I did, being very mindful of the angle and pressure again. Still it kept getting caught on the whiskers. I figure maybe I'm going to slow on the stroke. I try doing it a little quicker, that just caused it to basically tug the whiskers and the skin(just a tad, but still) before cutting/hacking them.

****. I tried popping in a new blade(was using the one I used last time, so once used); same stroke, same result. Went to the neck, my most sensitive area(right side still). Almost instantly after passing the blade(again no pressure at all) I started feeling irritation. I lastly tried the chin. I only tried the first stroke(from bottom of chin down towards neck) and the blade literally got stuck on the whiskers. I had tried to make it cut I would have had to use pressure which would have either cut me or really irritated the rest of the pass, so I stopped. At this point I said "**** this" and decided to stop and finish up with my Gillette Fusion, which of course wasn't any better, but at least I didn't have any fear of causing major irritation or getting another cut.

Ugh, I'm frustrated. I'm gonna use the red holder next time with a Feather DE blade. That went fine the first and second time I used them with the other blade holder(El cheapo from Sally). I thought maybe the different shape of the shavette was a possible cause? But I doubt it, it doesn't seem much different than the cheap holder. The Personna blade just isn't gliding along the face like the Feather did. I feel like it's sharp enough when I do my cheek, yet that pass basically dulls it and once I get to the jawline it's dull and won't cut for shit. I know it sounds stupid but it's how it feels.

Idk. I'm gonna use the Feather with the red holder next time. I'm actually not sure if the second time I used the Feathers it was with the Shavette or the cheapo. Anyway, we'll see how that goes. I may still be getting my angles wrong of something, but I can at least say it was definitely not the pressure. And I know with 99% certainty that I did not go above 35 degrees at any moment, heck at some spots I went too shallow, 10-15 degrees.

All I know is that something is wrong. If the same thing happens with the Feather I'll know it's probably me. I really wish I had a professionally honed Straight Razor already to have something to compare it too. Soon... I plan on either getting a Dovo Best Quality 3" Red Latigo strop set from SRD or a vintage from the classifieds if I can find a good deal.

Mood:****ed, yet still motivated.

P.S. Sorry for going on for so long and double posting(please tell me if that's not allowed), I just need to vent. Plus the opinions and tips from you vets really help quite a lot.

My face does not like glycerine soap. You may have the same problem. Try a nonglycerline soap.

Jim

Originally Posted by HLS

My face does not like glycerine soap. You may have the same problem. Try a nonglycerline soap.

Jim

Hmm, maybe. But I didn't have this problem the first three shaves. I'll use the Derby cream by itself next time though, in case you're right.

Thanks.


*EDIT* I just remembered, the only time I used the red holder was the first shave with the Shavette where I used the Dovo DE, which sucked. So I haven't tried it with the Feather. I figure if got a good, irritation free shave with the cheap holder and Feather blade I can get it with the Shavette. If not, then I have no clue what's wrong...

P.S. Used my Razorock today. Stung like hell because of the irritation, but felt nice afterwards, and I think it helped with said irritation. Question though, am I supposed to dip it in warm of cold water before applying? Or does it not matter?

Well, had another shave last night. I had little stubble, but I was itching to shave again :P

Did proper prep, same as the last time. But this time I used the Feather blades. I only did one pass WTG, didn't want to push it. I still got a little irritation on that same side of the neck(plus two nicks). The Feather blades are definitely sharper than the Personna blades, they cut the whiskers like butter and feel much smoother, no pulling or scrapping. I'm pretty sure my thickest whiskers are the ones on my chin, either that or my technique on the chin sucks which causes the slight tugging, even with the Feather blade. They did cut much better then the Personna though, those simply got stuck on the chin altogether.

After that one pass I decided to stop, shave was close enough, not even close to BBS, but that's not really what I'm aiming for right now. I'm still hesitant to do full XTG passes(full East to West movement instead of diagonal), much less ATG.

I did forget to not use the Glycerin soap though, gotta remember next time, see if that has anything to do with the irritation.

If you need a nice, sharp, well-shaving razoro on the cheap goto: Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales and buy one from Larry.

Apart from the low price and excellent edges you will also get to talk to Larry, probably the nicest guy in straight-shaving.

Regarding irritated skin.

This guy has been doing it for thirty years and obviously knows his way around a straight edge, as well as his own face, and yet his skin looks, very, slightly irritated once he's done.

Chimensch's 30th anniversary shaving video:
YouTube - Chimensch's Shaving Video