Thread: simply unable to shave daily?

Hi all,
So I've been getting better (or so I'd like to think) with my straight shaving. I started out in August with a shavette to try it out, then jumped in with a razor from Larry at whippeddog (turned out to be a W.H. Morely). Now I've got another razor (an Ontario Genco) and am in love with the whole thing. I have found that my best shaves come when I have about 3-4 days growth. At this point, naturally, it is not really a stubble anymore but rather they are short whiskers. The results from these shaves are so impressive that it got me thinking, "Hell I'd love for my face to be this smooth every day." Well I've attempted to replicate that shave twice now. The first time, using my W.H. Morely, I got severe razor burn and a few ingrown hairs on the neck. It was bad to the point where I had to take a week off to allow myself to heal. The second time, it was bearable comfort wise. Shave-wise, it wasn't too pretty. Lots of redness and nicks. Now yesterday, I attempted to shave for after giving myself a day off (so an every-other-day shave). That didn't go so well either. Pretty bad razor burn at the sides of my upper lip, and some pain on the left side of my neck at the jawline (bad enough that I left it rough and didn't even attempt to keep going at it). I've been using Truefitt and Hill sample pack cream and a Truefitt and Hill brush along with those two razors, with a hot shower and towel as a preshave for every shave I've had so far (bad and good included). It's just beyond me as to why I am unable to shave even every other day, but get such great results after 3-4 days. I don't enjoy looking scruffy for those days I am waiting for my face to be able to shave again. Any ideas, solutions or tips are welcome as always.
Thanks a lot gents

Are you able to shave every day with a DE or a Cartridge? or do all Razors give you this issue.

If you are ok with DE/Cart then it sounds like your technique is to blame, you may be using too steep an angle or too much pressure which may be masked when you have a lot of whiskers to remove but not ok when you are just shaving stubble...

For me my technique was the proble. Wrong angle, too much pressure. Once I perfected it I could shave every other day. My skin is just sensitive and although I can shave everyday, my face is more comfortable if I do it every other day.

Sounds like pressure to me. Almost like your trying to force those whiskers off for a smooth skin.

Two things.

First, I agree with the other two posters - angle and pressure. These techniques improve with time and as they do you will probably be able to shave more frequently.

Second, your skin will break in over time - mine took 5-6 months. It needs to get used to the razor and how much dermis is being removed.

Having said this, there are many who just can't shave every day.

Honestly, I never tried to shave daily with a cartridge razor, never enjoyed shaving before using a straight, and I went directly from a cartridge to a straight, no DE. I'll give the change in pressure a shot even though I dot think I am using that much, but I know my angle is good, because I barely have the spine off my skin

Hi all, I'm going to chime in, because I have really had the same problem for a long time.

I cannot really shave every day comfortably. It is just too much for my skin to take. I get such a close shave using a str8 that I really don't need to shave for 2 days. If I try and shave before I really need it, bad things happen, bad things man. Razor burn, ingrown hairs, cuts or nicks, weepers and seepers. It just does my skin good to let it go one extra day.

I look forward to those shaves like you wouldn't believe. I really hate the fact I can't shave every day, but I know, it's not in the cards for me.

I could use a DE every day, but that's not the point. I want to use a str8. I don't care about pressure or angle, I care about my skin and what it's telling me.

I'd have to tell you to go to 3 days for a few weeks, then try 2 days again, really paying attention to prep. Maybe do something extra, like pre-shave oil on the second shave.

Anyway, keep on trying, that's the only way to find out what your face is trying to tell you!!

Good luck man,

M

I can shave daily with a DE WTG and XTG and ATG on weekends for certain areas.

I can shave daily with the SR WTG and XTG, but I cannot go ATG on the weekends over certain areas of my face like I can with the DE. i have learned to be gentle with those places.

If your beard grain lies really flat then you CANNOT shave daily ATG.

On certain areas of my face I have learned to accept a good WTG pass and leave it at that.

Virtually anyone should be able to shave daily with a SR WTG provided the blade is sharp, the prep is good and of course the technique is right. Stick with it you may be surprised with the daily SR given the time and patience. Try just going WTG for awhile.

However, I must confess that when I am in a hurry and need a great FAST shave I reach for the DE. Never try to shave fast with a SR. It can be dangerous to your face.

How many passes are you making (ie: xtg, wtg, atg)? If you are doing all three, perhaps reducing the number of passes would help. I am able to shave every day and use all three passes. I also do only one pass over the lathered area when shaving even though it's tempting to continue to shave again and again (as is the method when useing a multibladed razor) even after the lather has been removed. A light touch cannot be stressed enough. Let the razor shave you while you concentrate on its direction.

I only shave every second day. The cut-throats razors get in nice and close, so shaving everyday doesn't need to happen. I only do two passes (diregarding direction of growth) I go North/South, South/North. I have more problems with ingrowns and razor burn from using a DE, but only on the neck, as I usually go for an East/West, West/East pass with a DE (easier to do with a DE that's for sure)...But I'm learning that it isn't a great idea...It's only taken me a year with a DE, but then again, I'm no rocket surgeon ...


Mick