simply unable to shave daily?

I used to get that problem all the time, and still do occasionally. Apart from the angle and pressure suggestions already mentioned, one thing that I found that really made a difference was the aftercare products I used. I was using a cheap alcohol-free aftershave balm which was ok when I used cartridge blades, but didn't really do much for me after a straight or DE shave. I personally think it really is worth spending a bit of money on a decent moisturising aftershave balm (the quantities required are much less than the cheap stuff so it's easy enough to justify the cost) as the quality is so much better. My brand of choice is Clarins, but I'm sure you'll be able to get a load of samples of several brands from department stores so you can find what works best for you before you hammer your wallet!

If daily shaving is a must, try and not go BBS every time. Look clean and presentable, but don't go so close that it will cause problems the next day.

That is what I have tried on occasion also!! It does take a little fun out of it though. I have purposely tried to not go BBS before, and the temptation to have that feeling is just too great. I end up finishing regardless of my intentions when I set out! Then I faceturbate for all of one day before I have enough stubble to stop.

I look forward to shaving, almost like an addict. If I can't shave today, I feel a real sense of loss and deprivation. I know it's silly, but it happens in my head regardless of what else is in there! It makes that next shave that much more special, or suck even worse if it's not a good one.

I would shave twice a day if I could. :(

oh, and Tend Skin was my best friend for the first 3 months I str8 shaved. Try it, it's great for burn and bumps.

Ive only been straight shaving for about 2 months or so.I was shaving every other day with no issues,but after i got hooked on SR shaving i went to everyday with similar results.Shave Secret is a little small bottle of oil you can get at Walmart or just about anywhere.Wet the face,drop 5 drops in your already wet palms,rub palms together,slather all over your face then lather up.My razor just gliiiiiides now.The blade never wants to stop either.Too much pressure will cause blade stopping,too.I can (and often do)shave twice a day since i started using Shave Secret.I'll never stop using it.The temptation to be smooth is just too great.Plus,anything to help my baby doll wanna snuggle up close is alright by me!

I read alot on here about inferior products,and i may be missing out,but i have been shaving strictly with junk i got at my local Wally World.Shave Secret for my oil=$1.25,Vander Huesen soap(i think thats what its called)=$1.49,and afta by mennen for aftershave=$2.49.The stuff is cheap,i am obviously inexperienced,and i doubt the sharpness of my razors would impress anyone on here.Sometimes the "cheap" just aint all that bad.I sometimes wonder if people use expensive skin "care" products to make up for bad technique.Biggest thing i have learned reading on here...NO pressure on the blade!It's hard to learn,but once you see the results,its even harder to forget.

Everything about pressure and angle are important, as is the fact that you skin needs about 5 or 6 months to get used to a straight. Some people don't need to shave every day. I shaved for almost a year before I discovered what a properly honed edge felt like. It took me that long to get an edge that was keen but also very smooth. Makes all the difference in the world! I can now make 4 passes and put on the Alum brick and feel almost nothing. I use a straight every day.

R

It sounds like you are getting a comfortable shave if you only shave every other day or so? I guess that implies your blades are okay and technique isn't too bad (may need improved but if you were waaaay off you'd be getting discomfort all the time).
So technique might be a contributor but maybe your prep and after care are more suspect. Are you shaving after a shower or washing your face, have you tried a hot towel/face cloth, afterwards are you using an astringent then some kind of after care/moisturiser?
In the 'old days' I would get rash from a modern multi-blade if I shaved every day but with proper attention I can use a straight every day without problems and I would say I have quite sensitive, dry skin.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pds

Are you shaving after a shower or washing your face, have you tried a hot towel/face cloth, afterwards are you using an astringent then some kind of after care/moisturiser?

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Current shave prep is while I'm showering I'll fill up the bowl with hot water and soak the brush in it. After a hot shower I'll come out and coat the face in Barbasol canned stuff and massage it into the whiskers. I'll leave that on while I strop the razor and whip up a lather (unless I'm using a soap, which if I am, I'll just face lather). Depending on my mood, instead of using the Barbasol, I'll lather up with the cream I'll use to shave with and press a hot towel over my face for a few minutes, then wipe off the lather, relather and go about stropping. Once I'm finished stropping, it's a quick rinse, a few more swirls of the lather, and into the shave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bplaia

Current shave prep is while I'm showering I'll fill up the bowl with hot water and soak the brush in it. After a hot shower I'll come out and coat the face in Barbasol canned stuff and massage it into the whiskers. I'll leave that on while I strop the razor and whip up a lather (unless I'm using a soap, which if I am, I'll just face lather). Depending on my mood, instead of using the Barbasol, I'll lather up with the cream I'll use to shave with and press a hot towel over my face for a few minutes, then wipe off the lather, relather and go about stropping. Once I'm finished stropping, it's a quick rinse, a few more swirls of the lather, and into the shave.

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Your prep sounds thorough (slightly more so than my own) so maybe your post-shave treatment is suspect? My 'day-to-day shave' process is a quick splash with warm water to remove any left-over soap, then a thorough rinse with cold water. A light dab dry with a towel, a good rub over with an alum block (several 'passes') followed by gently massaging in an after-shave moisturising cream (worth spending a minute or two on this).
Time also plays a part - I've been interrputed post shave a couple of time and if there's a lag in the post-shave treatment this can lead to discomfort on what otherwise should have been a good shave.

I think this comes down to human nature. We always want what we cant have. I myself have a really light and sporadic beard. With a Str8 I shave every other to every third day. To some this would be bliss. To my self I would love to shave every day, or be able to grow a beard or mustache. I guess we ultimately have to do with what we have.

Give it a solid go, experimenting by changing ONE factor at a time. If you feel daily shaving just isn't working for you, then stop. It isn't worth the irritation. It's true, some of us simply can not do it everyday; it can be a tough realization, but this probably affects more guys than you think.