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This is my first post, I'm 21 years old and have been using mainly gillettes and electric razors my whole career. And get burned on occasion and starting to get it more often lately. I'm not sure what's changing but I'm getting tired of it, and decided to figure out why. I have been just spraying g on in the shower and shaving. I thought the lather and brushjng in.a bowl might help but don't have much of a budget yet. Trying to get through my last semester of scho. What do y'all advise? Thanks
By Gillettes, I assume you mean Fusion/Mach III, etc. I used those (along with electric razors) from the time I was a teenager until I was 54. For all those years I had mostly irritation and the shaves were not as good as I thought they should be. I think canned foam offers no protection and canned gel gunks up the razor and makes you press harder against your face.Quote:
Originally Posted by southtexasdeadI
In my opinion, the problem is that if you have 3-5 blades in your razor, you get the equivalent of 3-5 strokes in one stroke.
When I finally got a double edge razor, it immediately solved my problem with irritation and I got a closer shave. The brush and soap gives you a richer lather.
Please tell me specifically what you're using right now so I can make a suggestion that will help you. Is your skin sensitive?
Well it's edge brand shaving gel with a Gillette fusion. And it's sensitive enough to get irritated when I shave the way I am now is about all I can tell you. I know very little about this stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun
.............Sorry SouthTexas, I mis-read your post, but here is some info you can read, if you want.....................
Welcome, read some on this forum first, see if this type of shaving is what you want to get involved in.
Take your time & enjoy the ride.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi..._razor_shaving
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki
http:/http://straightrazorpalace.com...or_Place_Wiki/
Hey South,
Razor burn seems most consistently paired w/ using pressure on the razor in an attempt to get a close(r) shave. 'Doesn't matter what razor - they'll all irritate. Some more than others.
If by Gillette you mean multi-bladed cartridge, that's very different from a gillette double edged safety razor w/ a single cutting edge on each side. Now if you take several strokes with these two methods - consider how many times your skin is scraped. With the multi-edged cartridge - its how ever many edges there are times the # of strokes you take. This can add up to serious skin irritation, ingrown hairs for some.
The multi-edged cartridge has enabled at least 1.5 generations to shave - without ever having to learn how to shave. I think you'll find this to be the most fruitful research, and you're in the right place to do it. While it may not be your cup of tea, learning the straight razor will make you a far more skillful shaver with any razor in your hand, including the cartridges. Learning about the lay of the beard and how spastic it gets, good beard prep, how to get REALLY smooth, using only the weight of the blade for pressure.
Although thre's lots of cross-over in attributes between soaps and creams, the right soap will often offer more facial protection - certainly more than canned stuff.
You will definitely find more here than you ever wanted to know, but by posting your questions here, you'll get lots of excellent help. 'Hope you find the time here rewarding.
Welcome to SRP!
The good news is twofold:
1) making the switch from canned goop + multi-blade plastic thing to wetshaving + either a DE or straight will most likely prove to be a good decision! It will give you less irritation and is a whole lot more enjoyable. :)
2) it doesn't have to cost a fortune to get started.
There are a couple of threads that should be helpful:
Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki
First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Note also that you don't have to jump to a straight razor right away. You can also pick up a modestly priced DE (double edge) safety razor & blades and start getting many of the advantages of wet shaving without worrying right away about the straight.
EDIT: Hirlau beat me to the links! :)
What would y'all say is a decent de for entry low budget? As well as lather or soap and brush ?
southtex,
You've got some good responses so far and you'll have to decide which road to take, straights are fun, but costly to get into. Since I think you're just trying to get a comfortable shave, and get through school, here's a low tech/cheap way to try. Wash your face well and let the soap stay on the beard for a minute or two, without drying. Rinse it off with comfortable hot water, leave it wet. With a wet bar of (plain old soap), rub it on the beard generously, but don't lather it. Then without letting that start to dry, shave using light pressure. The soap will provide a nice glide, and the beard should be softened from washing and keeping it wet. I've used this method many times with Fusion type razors and it does work and does provide a better cushion of the razor than a gel or canned foam and with less irritation. I hope it works for you!!
:gl:
Best Regards,
Howard :)
I think what you want is a safety razor, soap, and a brush.Quote:
Originally Posted by southtexasdeadI
Here is a nice "Student" starter set: Student DE Starter Set
Thanks! I try it tomorow.Quote:
Originally Posted by SirStropalot
And I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go de unless this works out
What size brush and shaving cream is this kit ? I just got back from "the art of shaving" and budgeted about 115 to start
It all depends on what you want to spend. For about $12 at a local pharmacy (Wallgreens, etc.) you can pick up a VDH starter kit with boar brush, soap, and bowl. VDH soap is available just about anyplace that sells shaving equipment and is a standard for me.
Starting with beard prep, stretching, and good lather will do a lot to enhance your shaves with your current implement. You can pick up a vintage DE razor in decent condition for as little as $15 either here on the classifieds, the bay, or a local antique shop. DE blades come in an incredible variety, but two versions are easily had at Wally World or local pharmacies (Wilkinson Swords, & Astras--I think they're Astras, I can't remember).
I picked up a good DE for $2 at a local antique shop, so you could theoretically give DE shaving a fair start for as little as $15.
Everything upgrades from there, in expense if not quality. ;)
Peace,
Jim
Thoughts on weishi 9306G I'm looking for one under 20.00
I was having similar problems to you and since changing to a brush and soap with a straight razor and a safety its all cleared up.
I'd have to recommend any of the Edwin Jagger 8 series I have a 89lbl and it is amazing its around $40 but its so good you'll struggle to find anything better at the moment. IMO its worth a bit extra for it.
Hope that helps
Just used a van dee Hagen kit along with my Schlick hydro after the shower and got razor burn just like any other. I feel like it might be due to not enough lather. It wasn't really filling the bowl like I had expected. I used the brush soaked in water then flicking off about 85% of the water and the scrubbing the brush against the soap bar for about. 20 seconds then proceeding to the warmed bowl for about a min or two
There's an art of shaving about 45 mins away and I figured I'd get a de razor and then a squeeze bottle of shaving cream instead of the soap what do y'all recommend?
It's the technique you learn when wet shaving that carries over and makes even cartridge shaves better (not as good mind you, but better).
The VDH is a work horse, but every horse needs some breaking in. The VDH soap is good, but if you've never made lather before you have to work the learning curve. You started with the right process (though it sounds a little dry IMO--I'd add more water). If you follow this process for three days you'll find yourself making progress. Alternatively, you could sit in front of the TV at night and work up lather in the bowl. It'd break in your brush more quickly, help you learn the lathering process, and soften up the puck making subsequent shaves a quicker process.
When I start a new puck (or switch back to one after a few days) I always pour water on it the night before. The soap softens up and lathers more quickly that way. So long as I'm using it daily the soap stays moist and ready to go.
Learning to wet shave is learning. It's not something that's been over-engineered to be "intuitive" like pretty much everything else on the market today. If you pick up a DE razor you will almost certainly get razor burn the first shave (maybe the second and third too). That's how the razor talks to you when you're misusing it. It's effective though and helps you learn quickly. And once you do, you'll never go back.
Smooth Shaving,
Jim
I was actually thinking about making a couple attempts at lathering some up this evening for practiceQuote:
Originally Posted by BigJim