Just Started Using A De

HELLO GENTLEMEN SHAVERS,

I just started using a DE. I was hoping to get your thoughts and comments. I usually shave soon after taking a shower. I have a badger brush that I use in combination with a shaving cream(the art of shaving). My main problem area is my neck where the hair grows from e-w and w-e. I am awaiting a straight razor but thought a DE might be a good progression to let my face get used to a sharp blade. The first shave was really close with a little discomfort. However, as many of you know if one shaves feels uncomfortable or irratated then the following shaves will just get progressively worse. My second shave was definetly followed the rule. The shave wasn't as close and I have more irritation and redness. Also, my skin is very sensitive and I often use a moisturizer. Normally I use The Art of Shaving brand but it's so expensive and doesn't last that long. Can anyone please suggest a less expensive product line or perhaps a better one for equal price?? Thanks a lot.

Just a guy here who is frustrated because a change of the razor and two shaves didn't magically change my face into clear and smooth. I know I know, it's going to take practice right. Well, I need encouragement.

I haven't used DEs much, but here are some areas where you may improve:

1) STRETCH the skin. Whatever your shaving method is, stretching the skin will make the shave closer and less irritating.
2) Don't press the blade to your face. Let its own weight do the work.
3) Prep properly (wash your face or take a shower, use a good brush+shaving soap)
4) Don't give up too easily.

Welcome!

I'm a fairly new guy to DE's as well. I've been using a straight for almost 2 years, and a DE for a few months.

There are a few things to note and these are my observations only. With a DE, it's about cutting a little bit closer with each pass. It isn't a do it all in one fell swoop sort of shave. First pass is always with the grain. Now, if that means e-w, then shave e-w as your with the grain pass. Second pass is typically across the grain, so n-s or s-n. Third pass is against the grain, so w-e. By the time you get to the against the grain pass you want practically nothing left but very short stubble if any.

Use only the weight of the razor to do the cutting. This is really hard to do, as the modern "shaving systems" let you press like crazy. Use quality, sharp blades. Don't use American made Gillette blades -- they suck. American Personna blades, Derby, Israeli Personna, or for the experienced guy Japanese Feather blades. Change them once a week or whenever they begin to tug uncomfortably.

Next, it will take a while for your face to adjust. I know a straight razor removes a layer of skin cells when you shave, and I suspect a DE is the same. Their modern counterparts don't quite cut the mustard here. It will take some time for your face to adjust. Might be a couple of shaves, might be a couple of weeks. If you can get away with it, try for a really close shave (BBS - baby butt smooth) only every other or every 3rd shave for now. As your face gets used to the razor, you can increase the number of passes.

Stretching the skin is important as well. I typically stretch the same as I do with a straight razor. Check Lynn's shaving video on the front page under Videos.

There are literally dozens of great products out there. You have Williams on the cheap end at $1 for a puck of soap, Proraso for about $4 for a container of soap at Target, to about $4-$5 for ClassicShaving's soaps, to $15-$20 for any of the quality creams (Taylor, Trumper, Vulfix). Part of the joy of shaving is finding new stuff to try and being amazed on a pretty regular basis.

Be patient grasshopper. You have taken the first step toward shaving nirvana, but be warned: it is a road filled with danger, as you're always buying more soaps, more creams, more aftershaves, more razors, more hones, etc. etc. etc. We even have a 12-step program for razor addicts ;)

Thanks for the advice. I wont give up. I probably used too much pressure. Still, my neck and adam's apple are so sensitive. Maybe the best thing to do is give my face a couple of days to heal and then try again. Perhaps repeating the healing process until my technique is good enough to not cause irritation.

Yeah, giving it a rest is a good idea. My skin is also sensitive, so I should be taking one day off a week when shaving straight but I just love it too much and it only gets irritated a little lol.

The neck is the hardest area for most gents. It's just tough to get a good angle, no matter what tool you are using. Sensei has it right...work WITH the grain. In fact, for the neck area, I would suggest for at least one week, maybe two, stick with a "with the grain" and an "across" the grain shave on the neck area. You are not alone in having issues shaving the neck area, and you won't be alone in finding out how to solve the problem.

Best of luck!

RT

Welcome! My neck hair grows the same way as yours, and DE shaving was also my gateway into this wonderful world. I will note that for me, the biggest step towards comfortable DE shave was learning to vary the shaving angle with my wrist as opposed to expecting the blade to do it the way I had with cartridges. Especially on my very sensitive neck, I had to make sure to run the razor along more parallel to my skin rather than raking it along at a 90 degree angle like what seemed correct. Also, obsessive relathering (like, a splash with a lathery brush after every stroke) helps keep that area happy. I must confess that I am also an Art of Shaving user, and so far I love their products so much, expensive as they are, that I haven't had any interest in switching. If you find something good that's comparable, please let me (and the rest of us AoS users) know!

I should also add, by the way, that learning to vary blade angle is excellent training for using a straight razor. You learn your face's contours like never before, and this will help immensely later when you switch to straight razor shaving, and you will switch to straight razor shaving... :)

One more thing. SRP is a Straight Razor forum. You are certainly welcome, but for more in depth and detailed DE razor info, check out Badger&Blade.com and SMF.com.

RT