Thread: Help! Confused.

Originally Posted by Jetmech

...My only worry though is that when my razor does need refreshing with CrOx that I won't realize it and still think it's my technique. Everything I've read says the only true test is the shaving test to tell when it needs refreshing. Well, you see my dilemma. Razor grabs, technique or refresh? But like Chevhead said, if I'm getting a good one every 2nd or 3rd shave it's probably my lack of skill...

Everybody's hair is different, so it's hard to say, but I'd advise that you shouldn't even be thinking about refreshing the edge yet, not unless you've dulled the edge a little by poor stropping. You should be able to go for a month to six weeks before the first honing. I myself would recommend a nice Shapton 16k rather than CrOx. Ten laps on the Shapton will bring the edge right back, and it's hard to mess up while doing only 10 laps on a nice flat hard hone. Bearing in mind that I've never actually used CrOx, I feel it may be easier to dull the edge more using CrOx (esp if not using a paddle strop) than with a nice hard flat hone.

What you probably need, is another truly shave ready razor. I know that sounds like I'm an enabler of RAD, but you can't go past a comparison blade. If you have only one razor, you'll be standing there in the bathroom scratching your head and thinking "Now, is it just ME or did this thing used to be sharper than this???"

I've read the thing about soap having the purpose of stiffening the hairs and I disagree with that. They also used to say putting a razor away for a few days allowed the edge to rest. They also used to sell heroin for common headaches. I feel cream or soap DOES soften the hair. Also, remember that a major use of cream or soap is to provide both GLIDE and CUSHION regardless of what it actually does to the hair strands. GLIDE and CUSHION are in my opinion of equal importance to each other esp for straight shaving. One may wish more glide than cushion for DE shaving.

Have you tried a pre-shave cream? Proraso pre-shave is REALLY good for beginners, I used to use it ALL the time. It really provides a very slick amount of glide; you lather straight over it. I'd very highly recommend that beginners use this pre-shave cream with a good cream (Musgo Real and Body Shop Macca Root for instance). In all seriousness, if one used Proraso Pre-shave cream, and Musgo Real cream or Body Shop Macca Root cream (there are many other easy to lather good creams, but these two are common and cheap), then in my opinion and experience you really have the prep part pegged. You really can't go wrong with that combo as far as prep is concerned. Added to that, shower before the shave, maybe apply hair conditioner to the beard whilst in the shower (and leave it in while showering; wash it off at the end of the shower), apply hot water to face, apply the Proraso pre-shave, make the lather, apply it over the pre-shave cream, strop and then shave I think you'll have a really nice prep sorted...


Carl