Thread: Itching and Burning

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

After a straight shave your skin should feel whiskerless and comfortable all by itself.

I definitely think you're sitting in the minority camp with that one, Alan.....

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Not trying to be difficult, just honest. I think if you have to consider aftershave your not doing something right. After a straight shave your skin should feel whiskerless and comfortable all by itself.

Truth be told...and I hope I don't get strung up for this...but on the morning in question I used my DE. I worked from basically 5am straight through to 10pm and didn't have it in me to shave Sunday night. Monday I got up but didn't want to look like the wolf man at the zoo. I hate having families taking pictures of me instead of the animals! So I opted for the Fatboy. Shave was great, and I finished with a cold water rinse like I always do. I was comfortable all morning and for the first couple hours out in the heat and humidity. Then things started to get uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

I definitely think you're sitting in the minority camp with that one, Alan.....

Alan is definitely in the minority; and I mean that in a good way. Few have his skills...I sure don't. BUT, I can say that up until Monday I finish with a cold water rinse and am comfortable all day through...though it's been cool here in Southern Canada , and even the handful of warm days we've had to date have not included the humidity, nor have I been out in them for as long at a stretch.

Thanks for the input guys. I do have some NSB in my medicine cabinet, but didn't think to put it on Monday morning. The cold water splash in the restroom certainly helped, but it isn't always convenient.

Thanks again,

That's interesting because I was experiencing the same thing since I started SR shaving. Now I know what to do and how to get relief. Thank you to all who responded to the other gentleman's question.

Originally Posted by pmburk

That's interesting because I was experiencing the same thing since I started SR shaving. Now I know what to do and how to get relief. Thank you to all who responded to the other gentleman's question.

Yep this is a common topic. You need a blade sharp enough
to snip whiskers without effort but smooth enough to not slice skin.
In part this is why people have their personal favorite finishing hones
and a good honemaster is held in such regard.

Same for skin and whisker preparation. You want to soften your whiskers
but leave the skin in good condition so it is not abused or insulted by the process.

If you over soak the skin it changes texture like soaking too long
in the bath. If you under soak whiskers they fight the razor.
This why there are so many shave soaps, shave creams,
pre-shave and post shave balms on the market.

Some shower then shave others shave then shower.

Understanding this give and take balancing act that pampers
the skin yet slices whiskers is key to tuning your personal
shave experience.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Yep this is a common topic. You need a blade sharp enough
to snip whiskers without effort but smooth enough to not slice skin.
In part this is why people have their personal favorite finishing hones
and a good honemaster is held in such regard.

Same for skin and whisker preparation. You want to soften your whiskers
but leave the skin in good condition so it is not abused or insulted by the process.

If you over soak the skin it changes texture like soaking too long
in the bath. If you under soak whiskers they fight the razor.
This why there are so many shave soaps, shave creams,
pre-shave and post shave balms on the market.

Some shower then shave others shave then shower.

Understanding this give and take balancing act that pampers
the skin yet slices whiskers is key to tuning your personal
shave experience.

Spoken like a true connoisseur.

So...
...a little update for what it's worth. After doing some reading and investigating, and spending some time with my beloved Gold Seal on my Swaty I shaved yesterday morning with my straight and followed it up with a little Nivea ASB. I'd been using the DE so much b/c my straights were out of commission that I'd forgotten just how much better the straight really is. Usually the Nivea will give a little sting, even as a "soothing balm" after the DE. The Genco was so good to my skin there was no sting at all.

So, up for the day's events: Take a brother down to Omaha for an eye surgery he couldn't get a ride anywhere else for, and on the way home it's 101F out...and my alternator goes out. We get pulled off to a gas station before the battery drains, and by the grace of God things work out so that we can get a new alternator on the rig and make it home the same evening, but there were several hours spent outside in the heat. No itching. No irritation.

Now, I did put on some Nivea ASB that morning. I knew it was going to be hot, though I was NOT planning on spending a bunch of time outside. Still, I was out for about as long as the family was at the zoo a little over a week ago, and in much hotter weather with no irritation. Maybe I should have given Alan MORE credit!

Peace,