Thread: Razor Burn!!! Help!!!

Also concentrate on using - no- pressure. Cartridges train us to press down to get a clean shave, DE and straights require unlearning that training. Using pressure will cause you razor burn no matter what else you do right.

I've not had any luck with pre-shaves.
+1 on everybody here who suggested little or no pressure. And +1 on using a more forgiving blade. I use Astra SP's.
Another thing I've noticed. With a DE, I need more and thicker shaving lather. Reapply liberally after the first pass.

Thanks Guys. I will try a different blade and some pre shave treatments and see how it goes. I will let you know. I am using a Parker 91R razor. How critical is the razor itself? Are there any brands or types that will make a difference? I have read reviews about different razors stating that this one is less agressive and that one is more. How do you know the difference?

Also beyond oil what is your preshave prep? THat made a huge difference for me, maybe more appropriate to start a thread there and make sure your preshave is good.

Originally Posted by sandhill

Thanks Guys. I will try a different blade and some pre shave treatments and see how it goes. I will let you know. I am using a Parker 91R razor. How critical is the razor itself? Are there any brands or types that will make a difference? I have read reviews about different razors stating that this one is less agressive and that one is more. How do you know the difference?

When you shave, and your face feels raw and cut-up, that's "more aggressive".

When you shave, and there's more stubble left than you're used to, that's "less aggressive" or "milder".

The mechanics involve the angle of the blade at the edge, and the relationship between the edge of the blade and the guard. The spacing between the guard and the edge is important -- the greater the space, the more aggressive the razor.

The ultimately aggressive razor, of course, is the straight -- no guard at all!

The Merkur Futur, and the Muhle R41, have reputations as aggressive razors. Edwin Jagger DE89 and Merkur 34C are relatively mild.

. Charles

Originally Posted by sandhill

I am new to saftey razor shaving. I had planned to start with a straight razor and decided to start with a saftey. I am using a Parker 91R with a Feather HI Stainless blade and Classic Brand shave cream. I have only shaved only twice with the razor. I have done a two pass shave and the first pass is great but when I perform the second I get the razor burn. Any kind of tips would be greatly appreciated. I am determined to continue using the saftey razor and I intend to get a straight if I can get rid of the razor burn.

I feel like I have to tell you that my first safety razor was a Parker 91R and it was defective. Like you I was assumed it was my inexperience as a first time safety razor user and refused to blame the razor. Then I noticed that the edge of the blade didn't rest flush with the safety bar below. Still I e-mailed a vendor, described the problem, and he could tell from the description that it was defective. I asked for a recommendation and he said he used a Merkur 34C HD. I bought what he used, and wow! It's amazing what a functional razor can do.

The point raised about the Feather being the sharpest blade is a good one. My favorites are the Medical Personna (Personna Prep Blades) and the Astra Superior Platinum.

As far as the razor burn is concerned, I'm betting that you're putting too much pressure against your face with the razor. Let the razor do the work. That's one thing I like about the Merkur 34C HD razor. "HD" means "Hefty Duty" and it's weight makes it easy to back off.

Look at how the edge of the blade sits in the razor. Is is parallel to the safety bar below? If not, return the razor. If you have to return it, I suggest getting a Merkur 34C HD razor, or an Edwin Jagger 89. I just don't hear complaints about these.

For the very few times that I’m either in a hurry or just plain hung-over instead of one of my straights/I use a DE with the Derby Extra blades and they have served me very well!!

I’ve found that just like using a straight razor using a DE requires about the same amount of time/patience/and care about the angle and pressure!!!!

Stay the course/you’ll get there!!!!!!!!

It's not a prep issue. As Maddafinga said, use no pressure, NONE. I have some experience, granted, but when I shave I use the correct angle and correct pressure. I don't do any prep, at all. I wet my face and lather up. I can shave immediately with no burn or irritation. It is more difficult to do this with a Feather blade. You'd be better off, perhaps, with a duller or smoother blade.

Also, if you create irritation you should take two days off shaving for recovery.

Look no further than your angle and your pressure, and focus on prep only because you deserve a nice pampering too!

+1 on the 'no pressure'! I should have included that advice!

Thanks AF!!

Sandhill, I had the same problem when I first went with a DE from a throw away cartridge. I read a lot about prep and technique and different blades blah blah... Then, for S and giggles one day, I decided to give the cartridge another go, just for old times sake. That's when it dawned on me I had NEVER tried multiple passes or anything close to against the grain when I only was using the cartridge. In my search for BBS, I had lost sight of the fact that I was taking too many leaps in the wrong direction, and all at the same time. In my experience, you're better off taking it slower. Give the DE a go using the same techniques you have been using with your previous shaving system. I'm not saying don't go all out on prep, on the contrary. But when you put the blade to your face, be realistic about what the outcome will be in the first few months. I have a feeling, if you're like most of us here, the new tools and products you are and will be using are more than enough enjoyment to justify your using the tried and true tools of the trade. The BBS will come. It will. And you will one day master a straight if you so desire. But realize there is no rush, and compare like with like. Using a cartridge one day WTG, and a DE the next day WTG, XTG and ATG is NOT a fair comparison. I'm not saying that's necessarily what you did, but it d#@n sure is what I did, thinking BBS was just that easy...

Hope this helps

Good luck, and enjoy it!