Thread: not enjoying learning curve

I just started shaving with a SR after shaving with a DE for a couple of months. And I jack my neck up everytime. Prob its all my fault due to my jumping in both feet. I always shower first, then apply the art of shaving pre shave oil, and either art of shaving shave cream or country uncle lime soap. Go through my shave process right now a combo of SR and DE in order to get close then an alum block to clean up followed by a after shave which varies. And the only consistent is im bleeding from places along neck and can t shave for atleast 4 days due to trauma along my neck my wife doesn't understand why I stick with it. LOL sometimes the pain makes me doubt it Haha. Any suggestions would be appreciated and probably saving me from returning to the grind of normal shaving.

Welcome!!

For your issues I would imagine it's one of the following:
You are not using a properly sharpened razor (Many brand new razors claim to be "Shave ready" and they really aren't)
You are using WAY too much pressure (you want NO pressure, it takes some doing to get the feel for this but it will happen)
Your angle is WAY too high (Keep it under 30 degrees!!!)
You didn't strop before the shave (it does matter)


What Razor do you have and how are you preparing it (ie stropping etc)?

Originally Posted by mcgyver74

Welcome!!

For your issues I would imagine it's one of the following:
You are not using a properly sharpened razor (Many brand new razors claim to be "Shave ready" and they really aren't)
You are using WAY too much pressure (you want NO pressure, it takes some doing to get the feel for this but it will happen)
Your angle is WAY too high (Keep it under 30 degrees!!!)
You didn't strop before the shave (it does matter)


What Razor do you have and how are you preparing it (ie stropping etc)?

All sounds about right. It is quite a steep learning curve, but if you hang with it and get things right it is soooo well worth it

Im using a theirs issard hollow ground razor razor claimed to be shave ready like you said. So didn't strop it just actually picked it up today from the shop that does the honing for a friend of mine that's been SR shaving for years. And picked up a nice Illinois 3inch leather strop from him also for 30 how can u go wrong has a linen side and leather not a sexy strop but good to b i eat the crap out of lol. And with everything im sure im pushing to hard. My wifes always braking my chops and calling me thunder cause she says when I touch her it hurts lol

Ok so if it's been honed by a pro then the blade should be ok

My vote is pressure and angle. It takes a bit to learn to really really back off the pressure, if you think you are using too LIGHT a pressure, make it LIGHTER!!

the light touch is where it all matters, when stropping, and when shaving.
you literally want the blade to feather on your skin.

What could also cause this is that you're trying to go against the grain of your beard hair in the first pass, which with a mildly dulled razor will make it dig into your skin rather than cut the hair.

try shaving with the grain of your beard a few times before continuing your adventure.

Alternatively, you should really stick with only doing your cheeks with the straight until you get comfortable with it, before moving on to the harder areas such as the throat and thin.

I'm gonna go with the light touch as well with one other suggestion that may or may not be valid. Make sure the cream or soap hasn't dried too much by the time you get to your neck area. Put fresh if you need to. Of course if you hit that area first it's probably not valid. good luck, it will get better.

Gonna try again thur night after my throat cools off lol

Originally Posted by goodoldboy

Gonna try again thur night after my throat cools off lol

Also on the neck area use your free hand and stretch the skin by pulling down towards the chest, and like everyone else said less angle and VERY light or no pressure.

Great advice here already.

The only thing I would add is to not be afraid to back off at any point. A lot of new guys because of the expectation of the greatest shave ever, really push too hard and too fast and get frustrated early. If you take it slow, your skills and technique will usually improve quicker and you will find that you can enjoy this sport forever.

Have fun.