Thread: DE razor newbie not getting good shave

Hi all, I'm new to DE razors and am not having much luck. I have watched a good video done by some guy called manic but I am not getting a good shave.
I spent 150$ on a Merkur razor and razors, pure badger brush and some good cream. yikes
I am getting a good lather from what I can tell and a good razor angle I think but its not a smooth shave at all.
Feels like I am not even using shaving cream and scrapes along my face, I have burning face all day.
I dont get a clean shave either, but I have never had a good clean shave with any razor so this is nothing new.
I do three passes and there is still stubble and I do one WTG and two XTG, I havent dared to go ATG yet because of the burning and lack of experience with this type of razor. There hasto be something Im doing wrong or does my skin just hafto get used to this?? Any special technique I'm missing here, lol. excuse me while I go put ice on my face.

Thanks

The blades you are using might not agree with you. Try some other brands. Also prep is very important. What is your preshave regimen?

I suspect that you're probably using too much pressure when you shave. Cartridge razors train you to press down. You'll have to very consciously untrain yourself.

Agree with the pressure, let the razor do the work. And the blades your using may not agree with you. Here's the rules I followed when I started using a DE

watch your angle
No pressure, let the razor do the work
It's called wet shaving for a reason, make sure your face stay's wet and is lathered up, rinse your face once you complete your first pass, leave it wet and re-lather for the second and so on

One more suggestion:

. . . Stop doing multiple passes.

Do _one_ pass, WTG, with good lather, until you've learned how to do it under control:

. . . no weepers, no razor burn.

When you can do that, add a second pass. And _don't_ use more pressure on the second pass!

You don't say what blade you're using, or how many times you've shaved with it. Sometimes a different blade helps, sometimes it's just a matter of un-learning old habits, and developing new ones.

. . . What blade ?

. . . Which Merkur? Some are a lot more aggressive (that is, hard to handle) than others.

. Charles

Originally Posted by Dempsey

I do three passes and there is still stubble and I do one WTG and two XTG, I havent dared to go ATG yet because of the burning and lack of experience with this type of razor. There hasto be something Im doing wrong or does my skin just hafto get used to this?? Any special technique I'm missing here, lol. excuse me while I go put ice on my face.

Thanks

FWIW --

I don't think that people's skin "adjusts" to being shaved. I think their technique improves, until they're not scraping it away.

I could be wrong . . .

. Charles

PS -- one more thing to try as a pre-shave:

. . . If you shower before shaving, put some hair conditioner on your beard -- just a little bit, rubbed in -- and leave it on. Just lather right over it. It may soften the beard, and protect the skin.

PPS -- and just so you don't think you're the first one with these problems:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...e-shaving.html

Any time you experience razor burn it is a result of too much pressure. Too little pressure is just about impossible to achieve. Your skin will not likely do any adjusting to your shaving. The adjusting you will have to learn to do is to let the blade, not your hand, do the work. If it is sharp, your whiskers will come off without your skin coming with them.

The Merkur razor you are using is very important. Some are face eaters. I cannot shave with a Futur comfortably on the lowest setting. It is usually recommended that a 34C HD us a good place to start. Another is the Progress (start at the lowest setting and see how it goes). Even the Merkur open comb razors are mild shavers if you have good technique.

If you are using the Merkur blades they send with the razor, I would definitely try other blades (the 7O'Clock series are not bad, or get a sample pack). Many DE shavers find the Merkur blades unsatisfactory (dull) and there is a tendency to use pressure with blades that aren't cutting. Pressure will NEVER do you any good. Doing fewer passes until you get the hang of it is a good idea. It took me longer than I like to admit to figure out that less pressure means just barely keeping the head on your skin. Once you get that, then things will improve quickly. Remember, beginner videos are generally true, but every face is unique and some are much easier to shave than others. Learn how you beard grows in each area of your face and neck and figure out which techniques work best for you. Don't change a lot of things at once looking for a solution, this will only make it more difficult to determine what works for you. Be patient!

I Have a Merkur Soligen "non adjustable" razor with Merkur Super (platinum) blades. I was told it was the best one to start with that they had for around 35 dollars and has good weight to it. I only shave straight out of the shower and just through the shave cream on "Taylor of old bond street brand" and I didn't know to rinse in between shaves, I just lathered back up and went for it, lol. I will also lay off the pressure and hope for the best. I just notice there is a fair bit of stubble after first pass so I go for the 2nd and 3rd but I will slow down and get in the zone. Will see what happens with tomorrows shave. How long does a blade last before I should put a new one on?

Thanks everyone for your wisdom!

When I started DE shaving, had nicks everywhere. Just get used to different blades, less pressure and more passes. Indulge in good cream and an alum stick. But beware, you are now on track to straight razor shaving and a big case of RAD!!!! Don't say you weren't warned!!!!!