Thread: Time for a break from the SR?

After my first shave my face was on fire as well. I though it was something that I had to get used to but it appears I am using too much pressure.

I know my blade is sharp because I purchased it from SRD.

I guess my interpretation of light is not light enough.

Thanks for making the post and keep at it!

I had the same problem starting out with serious razor burn. Try a nice steep angle, that is the razor almost flat against your face, and little pressure. Use less passes, for now don't even worry about a close shave.

Finish up with your favorite cartridge or DE edge. For now, concentrate on safety, technique and no irritation, not on a close shave. Good luck!

+1 on the light touch. I'm still very new to the art, but the shave where I realized how little pressure is needed was game-changing. I've personally found after-work shaves very helpful with starting out. I have ample time to focus on proper technique and, even if I hack myself up, my face has the time to calm down before I show up at work looking like I just exfoliated with a Brillo pad. Main thing, go slow, we've got ages to get this down.

I like to take a break from time to time as well and just focus on a DE shave.

The issues for me with a straight are just that I'm more likely to inadvertently poke myself randomly with a straight (more annoying that anything else) or kick myself on the lower ear lobs or while typing to get the spot on the chin where the angles change from the lower lip to the upper chin.

As for the lather... I was having trouble lathering my soap too. I was using a pure badger. I tried a boar and noticed a huge difference. I guess my soap needed a little more back bone. Boar brushes are very inexpensive so it may be worth a try

Wow, thanks so much guys, tons of great advice. I'm pretty sure that I'm applying too much pressure. I think there is an expectation or muscle memory type thing around scratching the beard off. Re: sharpness, I *think* I'm ok on that front. After stropping, a gentle test stroke on my arm has hair effortless coming off - I'm just not able at this point to do that to my face (I mean the gentleness), but will try on the next go for sure.

Re: lather, I have used the VDH boar brush with the VDH soap. I have used my Tweezerman brush with Proraso red (tube cream) and with VDH soap. Tomorrow morning - I will be giving TOBS cream a go. I tried 3 different cups and face lathering. I tried filtered water, not a huge improvement. I came to the conclusion that I was far too gentle with that brush in the mug after playing with all other variables. That has helped. Still, I'm not able to generate the giant mug of lather I see some youtube videos on with an "almond sized" dollop. Mine is more like enough for 2 passes - and that's with squeezing out the brush.

FYI our water here is hard, local water report is anywhere from 150-400ppm. I believe anything over 80ppm is considered "hard".

Originally Posted by griff199

Wow, thanks so much guys, tons of great advice. I'm pretty sure that I'm applying too much pressure. I think there is an expectation or muscle memory type thing around scratching the beard off. Re: sharpness, I *think* I'm ok on that front. After stropping, a gentle test stroke on my arm has hair effortless coming off - I'm just not able at this point to do that to my face (I mean the gentleness), but will try on the next go for sure.

Re: lather, I have used the VDH boar brush with the VDH soap. I have used my Tweezerman brush with Proraso red (tube cream) and with VDH soap. Tomorrow morning - I will be giving TOBS cream a go. I tried 3 different cups and face lathering. I tried filtered water, not a huge improvement. I came to the conclusion that I was far too gentle with that brush in the mug after playing with all other variables. That has helped. Still, I'm not able to generate the giant mug of lather I see some youtube videos on with an "almond sized" dollop. Mine is more like enough for 2 passes - and that's with squeezing out the brush.

FYI our water here is hard, local water report is anywhere from 150-400ppm. I believe anything over 80ppm is considered "hard".

Out of curiosity. Do you put a little hot water on your soap puck and let it sit so it can soften before loading your brush? I use the VDH brush and love it but I personally am not a fan of the VDH soap. Can you describe your lather. Is it dry? Or watery? Have you tried playing with the amount of water you add? Keep playing around with it I'm sure you'll get it. It's part of the fun.

Angle, Technique all play a role. It takes time to get it down. Just take your time. Make sure your doing a good pre shave. Either a hot towel or shower first, then some pre shave oil will help. If you don't have any, you can use Olive oil. It'll work, just a few drops is all you need. Massage it into your face.

Also, soap may be too thin, and not giving you adequate protection. Switch to shave cream. It's thicker, and has more cushion. I was never too impressed with VDH soap myself. Some like it. I think I read you have Tobs, That's good stuff. Give that a go, and make sure your angle is not too steep. Less is more in the beginning.

Griff,

I know where you are my friend, I have about 10 shaves with a str8 done now. Take it easy. It's going to take - and I'm speaking for myself too - a couple of dozen shaves before it starts to feel right. Most experienced str8 shavers say that it takes about 100 shaves before things get comfortable enough. As for myself, my best shaves so far have been the ones when I took my time, not trying to beat the clock or build up speed; stretch the skin, and making sure I was keeping my face wet and relathered regularly.

Keep it up and don't get discouraged because results aren't there yet. They will come in due time with perseverance and dedication.

It always is confusing in the early stages of any new skill. Relax, you will get this. Stick with it. My advice- lay off for a few days, use the lightest touch when you do shave, and beard prep like you mean it.