Time for a break from the SR?

I just started on all of this, SR shaving, as well as wet shaving in general. I have a Dovo BQ 6/8 that I got from SRD, and a safety razor - a Merkur 38c.

Today was maybe my 4th or 5th SR shave. I have been having problems with lather, and also feel like my technique may not be there yet. I'm still on just single pass with the SR, and still saving the more troublesome areas of my chin for the DE only - not even attempting that with the SR until I get everything else sorted out.

I took a break from shaving yesterday to calm down some irritation. Today, my cheeks are on fire.
Ok, wait that didn't sound right, I mean my face - particularly everything I'm doing with the SR. I'm thinking of laying off the SR until I'm 100% sure my lather is good, I'm still not building lather like I've seen on youtube. Once I get that figured out, I can go back to the SR.

To answer maybe some obvious things, I'm stropping before each shave, sometimes the day before so it's just "ready" - about 50 strokes/side. I'm taking my time but possibly not that great at it yet. Basically doing my best to emulate Lynn's technique from youtube on the stropping. My prep is a hot shower, washing face with Dr. Bronner's peppermint & washcloth.

Post shave is cold water, alum block, drip dry followed by "Every Man Jack" after shave lotion and/or Pinaud Clubman depending on how my face feels, or sometimes Thayer's alcohol free WH. Any feedback and/or pointers truly welcomed.

Is the Dr Bronner's an exfoliating soap?

I could be your technique. I was experiencing this as well and I realized that it was because I was putting too much pressure with my straight. I would encourage you to keep trying just make sure you're using a light touch and continue to try and improve your technique. You may also be using a product (aftershave?)that can be irritating your skin, or maybe it just don't work well with you. I hope you continue to work on it!! Have a great new year!

For me, razor burn comes from one of two things - applying too much pressure, or applying to many strokes!

I have heard that some guys think it's that their faces need to get "used to a straight," but I really think it's a function of the two aforementioned reasons; otherwise a visit to the barber would see many more guys upset and red lol.

Don't get too hung up with your lather - practice making it without shaving if need-be - just make sure it's wet and that it's got moisture. Feel your face as you go allong and make sure it hasn't dried and is still "slippery" lol :).

Ultimately shaving every other day when starting off will help if it means you'll focus more, but mastering the blade via use is the only way it'll get better too lol!! It takes some practice! It's not an overnight thing.

Good luck!! Welcome to SRP, and Happy New Year :)!

When I first started my face was irritated all the time due to poor technique and a dulled blade. But you have to ask yourself, is the dull blade the cause of the poor technique? With a sharp blade you do not have to apply pressure which makes for a smooth and comfortable shave. Anyway, let you skin heal up and try it again. It will take some time but you can get there.

thanks for the encouragement and tips guys. re: Dr. Bronner's it isn't exfoliating it is a castile soap can be a bit drying but not usually a problem in FL.

I think I will skip tomorrow and try to make sure I'm gentle with it next time. I may have been rushed a bit.

Make sure your razor is nice and sharp. I only get irritation when I'm scraping my face with a dull razor.

One thing I would say is to not push yourself. 4-5 shaves is just beginning and you have all the time in the world to learn how to use the straight razor. Step back and enjoy the process taking it a little at a time and don't obsess over immediate perfection. The guys are giving you great advice here.

Happy New Year and Have fun.

Yes, if your face feels like it's on fire improper technique and/or a dull razor will usually be the culprits. But what soap or cream are you using to make your lather? It is possible that your skin is reacting to the lather as opposed to the razor. Have you used your soap/cream in the past with success?

If your razor is sharp, then you are using too much pressure. If your razor isn't sharp, then you have to use pressure to achieve anything at all, and that is a mistake. As for lather, I've shaved using hand soap I lathered and applied with my hands. It worked fine. You have to remember that you are new at this, and it just takes time to get proficient. Give it twenty no pressure shaves and then look back.

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".

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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".

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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.

Ok so I'll start by saying I love this forum everyone is so helpful. I just completed my 4th (and best)SR shave yesterday.. I took a few days off to let my nicks heal from the first few mistakes.
This time I took a little extra time to check 1 thing very closely. I very slowly and carefully attempted to nick off 1 or 2 hairs on my chin to get a feel for pressure. I added mode wetter to my soap (because my lather would die on my face less than halfway through). Now Im still getting irritation on my neck but I see now its from too many strokes. at first it was more from too much pressure so I know Im getting there. Remember if your skin is irritated enough it will swell changing surface and texture. a break may be a great idea. Also I would still use my aftershave balm while I was letting my skin rest to help alleviate some of the dry burn.

Keep with it and it will all come around.
Remember light pressure and wet lather go slow and enjoy the experience.

I do not know what thread I read it in, but someone had suggested shaving the most difficult part first since your face prep will be the freshest.

I was able to shave my chin today much easier than my last two times by doing this. I had to get my neck under my chin first so I had some skin to tug, but after that I was good.

Defiantly a good tip, for me at least.

For lathering I think the proraso red will be a great cream to practice with. I've used two or three tubes of proraso and find that a great lather comes pretty easily. Maybe stick with one thing for a week or two for the sake of consistency.

Nothing wrong with just doing a couple of swipes with the straight then finishing your shave with a de. I did that for a long time and I still keep a de in the cabinet at all times. Also nothing wrong with just one pass. One pass is almost always enough for any occasion.

Michael

Watch ur angle shave with the spine almost against ur face very light pressure.. U want the blade almost two blades width off ur face one of the experts here taught me that worked like a charm.. Good luck don't give up !!

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Originally Posted by RARamirez

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.

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The texture if you will has seemed fine, if a little viscous...the quantity has really lacked, sometimes 2nd pass is a stretch with the same starting amount that I see some videos on youtube of guys with 4 passes worth easily. The TOBS this morning was much more productive!

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Originally Posted by Tzar

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

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my face on fire shave was done literally with a stopwatch to see if this is something I could manage on a weekday morning. Pressure of the clock => pressure on the blade? Probably so.

This is a fantastic community guys, and I appreciate all the advice and encouragement. I did a somewhat shoddy shave with the DE this morning 2 pass, just focusing on ultra-light pressure and built a better than ever lather with that TOBS that I received last night. Missed some spots, but definitely passable and the Clubman didn't even burn afterward! Definitely will wait until Saturday or later to try the str8 - without the stopwatch.

When I'm in a hurry, I normally grab the DE. You do need to allow extra time for the str8 shave. You don't want to rush it, You want to relax and enjoy the whole experience. Some guys who work 9-5 do the DE during the week, and shave with the str8 on the weekends, when they have more time, especailly at first. Once your proficient at it, You can knock it out quickly, if you have to...Emphasis on "if you have to"

It's a zen thing....

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Originally Posted by griff199

my face on fire shave was done literally with a stopwatch to see if this is something I could manage on a weekday morning. Pressure of the clock => pressure on the blade? Probably so.

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Speed is a combination of mastery and expertise. Prior to become master and expert enough, it is not possible to build speed without pressing the blade too much, getting the wrong angle, nicking yourself and generally having sloppy, immature technique showing through.

As I am still a newbie with about 10 shaves done with a straight, I currently need to allow 15 more minutes to my usual shower+shave weekday morning routine. When I first jumped into traditional wetshaving with a DE 3 years ago, I had to allow 15 more minutes also as I was slow. I eventually got so good at it, instinctively mastering the appropriate way to do it with speed that I recouped entirely these 15 minutes. Same process here with the straight: for now I don't care about the clock, I care about mastering the stroke, the blade angle, the proper pattern of shaving on all areas of my face and neck. Speed will come in due course in the next couple of months.

I'm only on about my 10th shave, & although it's starting to feel more natural, I'm only just starting to get the hang of doing under my nose without cutting myself, & I have no chance of doing anything but with the grain without drawing blood either. On the other hand, I can now give myself a full face shave without needing the styptic pencil, so that's progress. I need to watch some more videos before attempting ATG/XTG again, as it just feels alien to me at the moment.

I'm still not sure about my lather. I'm using OSMA Alum shaving soap & a pure badger brush I got from The Invisible Edge with their starter kit. I have no further experience of shaving soaps except for this one, so I really don't know what to expect from a lather. It seems to work okay for the shave, but it always feels a little dry, keep adding more water & it goes from dry to thin & watery very quickly.

I'm also still finishing with my old mach 3. It's not too bad on my cheeks & neck, but I can't get anywhere near a close shave on my chin yet.

I think my worst enemy is nerves. I'm quite calm when doing the areas I've become comfortable with, but as soon as I try doing something new, the blood starts pumping & I get a bit shaky, that's not a good combination when you're holding Mr Slicey to your face.

I will get there, given enough time & if a clumsy oaf like me can get better, then anyone can.

Also try washing your face with something other than the Bronners Peppermint soap. I have the same soap and love it, however the peppermint in it is bit strong I can definitely see it irritating a fresh beginner SR face.

Keep at it and take a day or two off.

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Originally Posted by zib

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.

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There is so much to learn about Str8 razor shaving I tackled them one at a time. For the first few months I used a good shave cream, probably a little more than I needed, to ensure a really good thick lather. I tried the soaps but they were watery, thin and I wanted to concentrate on learning to shave.
When I started I made sure my razors were shave ready (Thanks Lynn) and learned to strop and shave first. I did not use a str8 if I had to rush and I still don't. I kept a DE ready to go and continue to have when readily available.

There are many things to learn about wet/str8 razor shaving that IMHO, it gets overwhelming and then you bleed or worse, stop trying and go back to the "other" way.

Take your time, go slow, learn to shave. Your shaving skills as well as all the other skill will come in time.

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Originally Posted by mjsorkin

For lathering I think the proraso red will be a great cream to practice with. I've used two or three tubes of proraso and find that a great lather comes pretty easily. Maybe stick with one thing for a week or two for the sake of consistency.

Nothing wrong with just doing a couple of swipes with the straight then finishing your shave with a de. I did that for a long time and I still keep a de in the cabinet at all times. Also nothing wrong with just one pass. One pass is almost always enough for any occasion.

Michael

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I keep the DE with a fresh blade on the counter, ready to go.

I read that you as prep use a aluin block,i have heart and encountered that this kill your lather. No good lather no good shave imo. Maby you dont use aluin before but after the shave.
Good luck and stick whit it after a month you are you laugh on this.

Yeah - I went with the DE again today and went super light touch, got a nice generous thick lather with the TOBS, closer shave - not BBS mind you - but pretty good and NO after burn! Note to other noobs: stick around this place and *mine* it for info & tips/tricks, and thanks again everyone for humoring us noobs - probably a new batch every xmas, right? Great advice. I will quit with the daily updates for now :D

I'm new to this site, but have been sr shaving for several years. My test for shave ready sharp, while many would consider a little brutal, is to test it on my lower neck without ANY lather or water - completely dry. The point being, a really sharp blade will shave you dry, and lather is probably the least of your issues. No substitute for practice and once you have it down, you'll never go back. To me its a Zen thing.