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

I'm not able to shave every day either without ingrown hairs. If your beard simply can't handle it, I advise not to force it. You'll just end up making it worse.