Thread: Making sure I am not missing anything.

Ok, I am new to this stuff, and I have been reading and searching to find answers, and to be honest I think I have, but I couldn't help post my experience so far so someone would tell me what I already know so I can keep going.

I bought a Boker Arbolito straight razor, and a Muhle "handcrafted silvertip" brush which they advertise as very good. Also got a horsebutt strop with the linen bit on it, a nice stand, and some muhle soap. My problem is like many, I am getting razorburn on my chin area. Not terrible, just enough to annoy me for a few hours. I started like I was told, not doing it. I did the sideburns and cheeks without an issue, also can do the neck without a problem, and for the most part my upper lip has been uneventful, minus the slight burn from the last shave. I haven't been doing it but about a week now, but I feel pretty confident in all of those areas of my face, now I am just working on technique and getting a good pattern down.

My chin has more dense hair than the rest of my face, so I think that is part of the problem. Another one is I am in korea (army sent me here) and the water is on the hard side, so I am having a bit of trouble getting a good lather going, I can do it, just hard to do, and I feel like when I get home it will be better. I realized after my last shave that I may not be letting the lather sit long enough, I read somewhere that it should sit for a couple of minutes to soften the hair, and I wasn't really doing that. I also may be putting too much pressure on the area, since I am trying harder to figure it out, and I read that is a common problem.

I do like it, I couldn't stand shaving with electrics or cartridge razors. I must say my least favorite part of this is the fact that it is hard to practice, because after I shave, I have to wait until it grows back to work on my technique!

Just making sure it sounds to you guys like I am doing everything right, and I will continue on my path into the light. Meanwhile I am going to go read through all of the other people asking the same thing I am.

I prefer fresh lather myself so after waiting a few minutes it's hot towel & then re lather. See if that helps but pressure & angle is crucial as is your skin getting accustomed to the straight. i.e. no pressure & low angle.

Sounds like a good start to me. Pressure may be your issue, as was stated. I think that's where most people have issues, at the chin. Just take it slow and enjoy!

As others have said, you're off to a good start if you have only one problem area--that being on your chin. Also, I'll second the importance of no pressure. Play with the blade angle and use just enough pressure to keep the blade on the skin. You might also try making one pass as best you can, leaving stubble, and then hit the chin with a safety razor until your skin becomes better accustomed to the the straight.

On the topic of building lather with hard water, you might warm up some bottled water just for the lather, purchase a softening filter pitcher or attachment for the water faucet, or boil the water; all of these examples will give you softer water. If you do boil the hard water, boil for about 5 minutes. Remove the heat and let the water cool, scoop off the minerals on the surface and discard, and there's your softer water. Getting yourself a bottle of glycerin and adding a few drops to the scuttle might help build a lather as well.

Ok, thanks guys. I found some post-shave lotion yesterday and put it on to help with the razor burn, which it did, but now everything is peeling. :roll: So I guess I will let this try and heal for a day or two before trying again. I will definitely try the bottled water trick and see if I can't get a better lather that way.

Alright, it's been about a week and things are going well. I no longer have issues with razorburn to speak of. Lately I have been trying to get a closer shave around my chin area. Searched for it and saw many people recommend the scythe and guillotine methods to get a closer shave. Well, I must say those work amazing. I instantly have a shave that is near BBS on my chin on my first try doing that. However, definitely takes some VERY careful operation of the razor. I have never cut myself with mine until I tried this, and I did it a few times. A combination of too much pressure, not stretching enough, and undoubtedly inexperience led to the razor not moving in a diagonal motion, and just catching at moving against the skin, leading to a cut. So for those looking to try it, do it, just go slow and be careful.