Thread: Lots of pain - bad lather or dull blade?

I agree with the other about honing.

Also, bead prep is, to me, almost more essential than how sharp the blade is. I have to use several hot towels or take a shower before I shave, or I get very irritated skin. I would also recommend experimenting with a pre-shave oil. I have used a few kinds, and I like to put them in a glass bottle and keep them on a candle warmer so they're nice and warm when I'm ready to shave. This has improved my shaves quite a lot!
FWIW, I have extremely course facial hair and very soft skin. One barber said it reminded them of a Middle Eastern skin/beard type.

In my opinion, there are better soaps out there than Col. Conk; I only used it for a few shaves then gave up on it. Maybe if you use a water softener it's OK, but I've never used one so don't know if the Col. plays nicer with some waters than others. You might try a puck of a nicer soap, something nicer than you can get at the drug store or Wal-Mart. I've tried those brands (Williams, Van de Hagen, Conk) and my experience was that nicer soaps and creams do make for closer & gentler shaves.

About pressure: If other factors are off, the temptation is often to push harder. With a properly sharp straight, you should only try to gently scrape off your shaving lather. The whiskers will come off as a side effect. If it's not sharp enough, you'll get the pulling and if you compensate with pressure you're going to get more pain from razor burn.

You might try a razor from whippeddog.com; it'll be cosmetically challenged but it'll be a shave-ready vintage blade at a great price point. Maybe you've got the sort of beard that really needs a wedge. The benefits of a second razor are 1) you have a known good blade to compare your current one to, 2) you'll have one in house when you send the other out for honing, 2.5) If you're honing your own, it gives you a reference edge (I guess this is the same as benefit 1), 3) you can try a different grind. There are other benefits, but they're less virtuous. Things like priming your RAD.

I hope you find a solution. You're a good man for sticking it out despite the pain.

Originally Posted by roughkype

In my opinion, there are better soaps out there than Col. Conk; I only used it for a few shaves then gave up on it. Maybe if you use a water softener it's OK, but I've never used one so don't know if the Col. plays nicer with some waters than others. You might try a puck of a nicer soap, something nicer than you can get at the drug store or Wal-Mart. I've tried those brands (Williams, Van de Hagen, Conk) and my experience was that nicer soaps and creams do make for closer & gentler shaves.
I hope you find a solution. You're a good man for sticking it out despite the pain.

I agree Col.Conk soaps smell good but dosnt work great. A easy way to fix this is to go to the drug store and pick up some Glycerin to add a few drops in to your lather. I find this turns even a not the greatest soap into one that not to bad soap.

Stick with it and you will be rewarded.

Do you know how they sharpened it? I just hope they did not use a grinding wheel or electric knife sharpener.

Originally Posted by OmniRiot

Thanks everyone, much appreciated...although the electric is looking appealing at this point, I am committed to making this work. I did have it sharpened by a knife/scissor sharpener - maybe that was the issue. Let me find a straight razor expert to sharpen it. Any recommendations? I live in Charlotte NC

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Do you know how they sharpened it? I just hope they did not use a grinding wheel or electric knife sharpener.

I hope not. That would not be very professional. I know a guy who tried to shave with a staken knive, and he did not last

Originally Posted by OmniRiot

After about a month, I had the razor professionally sharpened

I've heard MWF is expensive over the water, but according to other guys on the board your better importing it from here I would suggest trying that as an alternative to col conk, its a very moisturising soap

an alternative to conroys advice is to get some hair conditioner and leave it on your beard for between 5-15 minutes, wash off then shave, see how that goes