Thread: DE Razor Burn

Is this your first time with a DE? I had a learning-curve period with the DE, mostly learning to handle angles & pressure, and remembering not to buff over the same area over & over.

I don't know the Parker 82R, but some DEs are less forgiving than others. And same with blades. Still, you should be able to tame it with experience.

Thank you for your responses. Yes, I am new to DE and been exclusively using straight razors for about 8 years now. This is my first deviation from them and was surprised to see the razor burn.

I am using SHARK blades and see other references to FEATHER being good, maybe even better. I may give them a try.

I have played with angles (just as I did with Straight Razors) and am still looking for the preferred angle for me. I do find that the angles are somewhat limited from those of straight razor shaving but I'll continue to explore.

I did remember that when I started using straight razors, I saw razor burn during the transition phase. Perhaps this is just another part of that.

Moving this to the DE section for better visibility....

Yes, angle and pressure are usually the main culprits. But it could be that your razor doesn't like that brand of blade so trying something else could also help. IME I've never found a razor that plays nice with Shark blades and I don't like them at all. I don't find them irritating but they feel like I'm dragging a shard of glass across my face and the shave isn't particularly close. Feather blades are nice but you need to use zero pressure or they'll show you the definition of razor burn LOL

When I first started with DE's I had the same problem. I previously used the cartridge razors. It took me a while to find the right blade. Once I found the right blade for my skin its great. I now have a large selection of blades that I don't use in my cabinet. Their cheap so grab a sampler pack an try several. Unfortunately for me the blades that I use are on the higher end of the price scale, but are still a fraction of cartridge blades. Good luck.

Sharks are decent blades, but aren't especially sharp. That mildness is a good thing if you have a very light beard, but if you have a tough beard, you'll be better served by a sharper blade, since if a de isn't sharp enough for you, the natural tendency is to use too much pressure, which causes irritation.

One of most painful shaves came from a Dorco blade for that very reason. Feather and Kai blades are best known for sharpness, but Gillette blue or black pack, Astra stainless, Rapira, polsilver, are also fairly sharp blades you might consider.

It is also true that Parker razors are a touch more aggressive than average, but I doubt that as a straight shaver, that is your issue.

Thank you for your responses. My stroke is not heavy so I'm fairly sure that isnt the culprit, but I have played with the angle and have seen some improvements with this. However, I think that I may not just like the Shark blades that I have. I ordered some Feathers and they arrive today. I will give them a try as an alternate.

I primarily use my straight razor to shave with except for when time is short, then I use the DE. Hopefully, the Feathers will yield better results for me.

I'll weigh in on them once I give 'em a try.

Thanks again

Originally Posted by Sargon

Feather and Kai blades are best known for sharpness, but Gillette blue or black pack, Astra stainless, Rapira, polsilver, are also fairly sharp blades you might consider.

Thanks for these references. If the Feathers are not my thing, I will definitely give some of these a try.

SR shavers do find it odd that a safety razor would cause them pain where a naked blade doesn't. With a SR you can, to certain extent, personalize the ange of the edge. If the edge isn't smooth, you can strop it. You have control over every aspect of it. With a DE blade, it is what it is from the factory. Add to that the fact that the razor head puts a curve in the blade, setting the angle of attack, and you can begin to see why picking a blade to match your razor and your face is such a big deal. One of the most recommended blades out there burns my neck every time. I'm not saying "blame the equipment" because SR shavers do have a slight tendency to treat a DE like a cartridge razor, which it is certainly not. But if you're watching the pressure and still getting burned, the blade is likely the culprit. You'd be amazed at how much time and effort and note-taking a dedicated DE shaver can put into going on safari for the perfect blade for each of his or her razors.