Thread: Tough Beard

A 6/8 has a noticeably heavier blade, that will probably help cut through multi-trunked whiskers. A 1/4 hollow 5/8 may also have just as much momentum, and be easier to use if you have a medium sized face.

25 shaves isn't many - your technique will improve quite a bit over the next 6 months.

For the first 3 months - don't do more than 2 passes and don't shave ATG. Your shaves will improve with your technique (work on your angles and path). More than 2 passes and ATG will just result in irritation that causes razor burn every day (if your technique is bad), or is accumulates and causes rash-like bumps (if you technique is better, but not "good" yet).

Also, never use any pressure (work on your angle and path), - and soften your whiskers, but don't soften your skin. If your skin gets too soft, the razor abrades it too much and causes razor burn &/or ingrown hairs.

Also, try shaving with cool water rather than hot water. Hot water relaxes and softens your skin more - which makes the razor take off more layers of skin cells with each pass (which often results in razor burn and bumps).

Hang in there - it's worth it !

Originally Posted by JohnG10

A 6/8 has a noticeably heavier blade, that will probably help cut through multi-trunked whiskers. A 1/4 hollow 5/8 may also have just as much momentum, and be easier to use if you have a medium sized face.

25 shaves isn't many - your technique will improve quite a bit over the next 6 months.

For the first 3 months - don't do more than 2 passes and don't shave ATG. Your shaves will improve with your technique (work on your angles and path). More than 2 passes and ATG will just result in irritation that causes razor burn every day (if your technique is bad), or is accumulates and causes rash-like bumps (if you technique is better, but not "good" yet).

Also, never use any pressure (work on your angle and path), - and soften your whiskers, but don't soften your skin. If your skin gets too soft, the razor abrades it too much and causes razor burn &/or ingrown hairs.

Also, try shaving with cool water rather than hot water. Hot water relaxes and softens your skin more - which makes the razor take off more layers of skin cells with each pass (which often results in razor burn and bumps).

Hang in there - it's worth it !

Thank you all, I hate to be left hanging in contention with beginners. So awesome we've got another freak of the same kind on board actively posting, too. SRP rocks! Bring it on, 2012!

Try DR Harris preshave...only reason I now get any irritation would be ny blade angle..worth the try IMO

Originally Posted by JohnG10

........
25 shaves isn't many - your technique will improve quite a bit over the next 6 months.
.........

Now that is the understatement of 2011.

Do keep after it.. There is no magic so relax and enjoy
the shave. BBS is for babies. A full beard is for girl friends
and wives that have tender faces (not a bad thing).

A smooth sharp razor is a delight.

Originally Posted by markdfhr

Also, I've seen others post about using Barbasol, having that soak on your beard during your shower.
I've yet to try this, but it's supposed to really soften your beard. You should consider giving that a try, as should I.

Barbasol no thank you?. It is a quality but harsh disinfectant.
Razors sure, skin???

Sure try, it but if it is not magic for you set it to the side.

Originally Posted by avilam

I have a full hollow ground straight and have really been giving some thought to a wedge (a nice big one, 7/8 or 8/8 W&B would be awesome). I figured the extra heft of a blade that size would help cutting through the "underbrush"

I just got a big wedge, almost 7/8, and the difference with the extra heft is noticeable. I just wish they weren't so hard to find If you see one on the classifieds definitely pick it up, I think you will be pleased.

it is a bit heretical, but you might actually try massaging canned goo into your beard instead of the conditioner. I have a very dark, thick, fast growing beard that chews up blades myself, and it does seem to help soften it in ways water alone does not. A good pre-shave (with stearic acid) will do much the same thing, and will be less "nasty" feeling than canned goo, of course.

Another suggestion is that you may find that a DE razor helps on your final pass, at least until your technique improves. A lot of new straight shavers do it (I certainly do when I use a straight) for a while, while learning.

Sargon,

As you can see above, I was already hung out to dry on this one (canned goo) even though I was simply passing on this suggestion based on many positive posts about it.

-Mark

I've used Barbasol from time to time to see if it was as bad as described and got perfectly good shaves with it. It left me feeling like I had "sold out", that I had somehow let down the entire wet shaving community, but with treatment and support from those who love me I was able to get on with my life and become a productive member of society. I go to a group every day and get supportive therapy. The first step was making amends and telling all my fellow wet shavers how I had let them down. I'm still so ashamed.

Originally Posted by markdfhr

avilam,

I'm not coming at this like an expert, but as a fellow experimenter and student. I have been shaving with a straight since September.

I cannot get my beard hairs to shave xtg right now. The razor I'm currently using is in great shape and I think is sharp enough for the job. I'm just learning new things every time I shave, and I think one day things will work out for me.

However, each pass you do is about beard reduction, not elimination. When I've been going atg in my chin area, the blade just stops. I've been experimenting with angles and direction. I've been using the guillotine method where the travel of the blade is not quite perpendicular to the blade itself in an effort to increase the blade's slicing ability (as opposed to just chopping through hairs).

I've come to the conclusion, for me, that I still need to reduce the hairs more, so I've been buffing both wtg and atg and getting a DFS out of it. I've a feeling that when I get fair at this, I may be able to finally go xtg, should I ever need to.

However, and others have posted about this before, you can go too far. Your hairs may shrink or retreat a bit after your shave, so you don't necessarily have to get that so-called BBS feel during your shave. It could be that BBS is just too much to expect, anyway. Don't seek perfection, just seek satisfaction.

If you don't have a block of alum, get one. Using that after your shave will give you an idea of where you're trying too hard, because you'll feel razor burn that otherwise you would have missed. That's great feedback.

Also, I've seen others post about using Barbasol, having that soak on your beard during your shower. I've yet to try this, but it's supposed to really soften your beard. You should consider giving that a try, as should I.

Good luck to you, sir.

-Mark

I agree with Mark on trying the Barbosol, what is it going to hurt? If it helps avilam or anyone else, that's great.