Thread: New guy question

Thanks for the info. I will buy a straight razor and go for it. If too much skin is removed I will give it a few days and try some more. Thanks again. Tom

Welcome to SRP Tom.
BEFORE buying a straight razor and going for it, please, please, please, please, please, read the sticky at the top of this section and study the WIKI regarding how to start out using a straight razor.
Also, a browse through the soaps and creams sub-forum might be of assistance to find a soap that is better for sensitive skin.
By doing these things you might have a head start to a better shave and less irritation.
We all want you to enjoy your experience with a straight razor (as you can see by the comments above) and believe that it will give you a better, less irritating shave in the long run.
You may want to take Lynn's advice and see a dermatologist before spending money on the straight shaving gear.
Please let us all know how you are progressing.

Sorry to have to say it but with all the problems you seem to be having regardless of the appliance used once you know you don't have a medical condition then you need to look at your shaving technique in general. This is kind of like the guy at the range who has a bunch of guns and can't hit the broad side of a barn with any of them and blames the guns for his problems.

As stated above, you are probably having technique issues. There is a big difference between a disposable razor (cartridge) and a DE/Str8. I am a little concerned with possibly the pressure you are using. The blades on these (DE/Str8) should barely touch your skin with hardly any pressure. That is where a benefit will be for you with either one of these. The key is the difference in pressure, typically we scrape our face with a Cartridge, DE/Str8 you barley touch your face. Good Luck

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Sorry to have to say it but with all the problems you seem to be having regardless of the appliance used once you know you don't have a medical condition then you need to look at your shaving technique in general. This is kind of like the guy at the range who has a bunch of guns and can't hit the broad side of a barn with any of them and blames the guns for his problems.

You beat me to it - exactly what I was going to say.

I would really like to see you use the other equipment you are having difficulty with. Irrespective of what your weapon of choice is, they all have several things in common. They need to be sharp, you need to know your beard growth directions, you need to prep your beard for being shaved, you need good quality lather, you have to understand the blade angel to your skin, and - above all else - you need to use little to no pressure while shaving. You cannot use the razor like a machete swathing a path through a jungle.

Maybe you would respect the dangers of a straight razor more and really lighten the pressure. I'm not saying there isn't something about your skin, making you unable to shave.

In the end - this is up to you. If you go for it I highly recommend a good engaging a mentor from this site. There are many really good ones here.

Good luck either way.

The general consensus seems to be better shaves with less ingrown and less razor burn.

IMHO,

. . . if you have good lather -- thick and slippery,

. . . . and a sharp blade (straight or DE),

. . . . . and you're not pressing on the blade,

the blade shouldn't actually touch your skin during the shave.

It should _glide_ on top of the lather's lubricating film, and chop hairs as it goes. You should get _no_ razor burn (if your skin is smooth).

So I'd bet on a technique problem:

. . . inadequate lather, or

. . . too much pressure on the blade.

Switching to a straight razor won't solve either problem.

Charles

PS -- Now, if your skin is _bumpy_, that's a different issue.

PPS -- I should test this theory by seeing how many times I can lather and shave in succession, without razor burn. It'll be an interesting experiment.

PPPS -- "Face mapping" -- knowing which direction your hair grows in, on different parts of your face -- is important. If you haven't done it, you may be shaving "against the grain". Shaving ATG, with too much pressure on the blade, is going to give you nasty razor burn.

Get a Pro Shave, that way you will know.... (Sorry if I sound like a broken record here )