Thread: Tell me it gets better

Not using canned foam

Get a vintage (cheap) DE before going back to cartridges. A Whipped Dog straight is inexpensive and good.

Any straight has more of a learning curve than a DE though. The main thing IMO to do when you kick your face up is to let it heal before continuing.

Everyone here has already said it, but less pressure and shallow blade angle are two of the most important points to keep in mind. I use just enough pressure to keep the blade moving in the direction I want, and I keep the spine just slightly off my face. The signature of a member helped me a lot, (I am paraphrasing) "Focus on where the spine of the razor is during the shave. This will help make pitch adjustments and reduce the chance of being cut." Try it, I think it will help.

It will get better, given time. My face looked a lot like yours when I started using a straight, but I don't get irritated anymore and the shave is so close and sweet! The areas you are having trouble with are problem areas for almost everyone. Technique and skin stretching will help you overcome these spots. For me, I have to really stretch the skin on my neck flat and tight, and pay VERY close attention to how I make my sideways stroke, otherwise I will get irritation. I hope you stick with it, it can be arduous, but it is so rewarding!

Striaght razor designs sells Dovo's best quality blade which is their cheapest model straight razor in that line. a very good starter razor. Edwin jagger has a DE model for about $35.00.

It will get better, There is a definate learning curve and all of us wanted to be much better at shaving than we were when we started. Some of us learn faster than others but it will get better. Expect to do some bleeding and to suffer some razor burn. Its just a part of the experience that will increase your satisfaction with your learned abilities when you get to a point where you can produce a smooth, close, and comforatable shave.
Enjoy your learning experience.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not giving up on it. I know a smooth, comfortable shave is possible - even with a shavette! I know this because I've had them from a barber. I'm not going back, or switching to a DE. I might, in the short term, use my old razor for the difficult areas. Just until my general technique improves.

Thanks for the encouragement guys - much appreciated!

Pick up a Cheaper SR and you will never turn back. Plenty people here that I am sure could get you one cheap.

You didn't mention how many time you use the same blade. In my shavette I used Derby blades-broken-in-half and I could use them only once. A three pass shave and that's pretty much it. Next shave - new blade. If not, then same result as you got.

Cheers

Originally Posted by phunni

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not giving up on it. I know a smooth, comfortable shave is possible - even with a shavette! I know this because I've had them from a barber. I'm not going back, or switching to a DE. I might, in the short term, use my old razor for the difficult areas. Just until my general technique improves.

Thanks for the encouragement guys - much appreciated!

Don't be ashamed or to proud to go back to the old way of shaving in the difficult areas I did it till my confidence got built up. I always used the advice to shave until you start to feel uncomfortable and then switch back to the old way and save your face. You will eventually get enough confidence to do the whole thing with a straight and that is a great feeling.

Originally Posted by swimlikehell

Don't be ashamed or to proud to go back to the old way of shaving in the difficult areas I did it till my confidence got built up. I always used the advice to shave until you start to feel uncomfortable and then switch back to the old way and save your face. You will eventually get enough confidence to do the whole thing with a straight and that is a great feeling.

Truth be told. I could not use my Str8 on my neck. I have progressed through it nicely.