Thread: Breakouts with safety razors?

Originally Posted by BobH

Regarding the right angle, you can place the top cap against you skin with the blade parallel to the floor and rotate the handle downward till you can just feel the blade on your skin. That should be about right. If you were to lower the handle more you start to scrape the whisker off instead of cutting them off. Add pressure to the wrong angle and you really will have some grief. Now the trick is to maintain the angle while following the contours of your face. Good luck.

Bob

I'll be sure and keep an eye on my angle next time. If I had to point to one thing this is the most likely problem.

Originally Posted by DZEC

Which DE are you using and what blades are you using in it?

You wouldn’t think it, but different DE razors are more or less aggressive than others as are the blades you can choose to use in them. Combine that with the large number of razor/blade combinations and skin types and beard coarseness, you can see that finding the right combo for you might be a challenge.

My first modern DE was a Merkur 34C. I still use it a lot and through experimentation I have found that Gillette Silver Blue and Wilkinson Stainless blades work well for me in that razor. It took a while for me to find that combination. I also have a Rockwell with interchangeable heads for which I am still searching the best blade.

Many online vendors have blade sample packs that allow you to try out 5 blades each from different manufacturers. That may be an option you might want to try.

In the meantime, if you are using a good slick shaving soap or cream, remember that you shave the lather, not the whiskers. It’s a light touch and adjust the angle so that you can just feel the blade slicing the whiskers. GO SLOW AND GO LIGHT. If you don’t get it as close as you want, shave in another direction.

I used a Lady Gillette that I had bought my wife a few years ago to try. The blade was a brand new Gillette Silver Blue. I did get a sample pack with a bunch of different blades in it. I'm thinking it might just be an angle situation. I use good soap and the shave itself felt really good.

Originally Posted by ppetresen

I think given your most recent experience with a DE that I would agree with what's been said so far. Definitely check the pressure, likely you're pressing harder than you think. Also check your blade angle; coming from a straight you'll no doubt be aware of how important the angle is, but the angle also isn't the same as with a straight. As DZEC pointed out, finding the right combination of blade and razor is essential; if anything, the blade you're using is too aggressive, maybe try a milder one.

Finally, check your lather. This might be an area where coming from a straight is doing you a slight disservice. For a DE, you generally want your lather thicking than you would have for straight shaving. If your lather is already super thick, give using a thinner lather a go to see if that affects things.

I'll definitely keep all of this in mind. I might try to switch up soaps next time. Maybe go to Taylor of Old Bond street. Pretty easy lather.

Mostly. Angle like said and light touch. I can get as good a shave from a DE as. Straight. But that’s my secret , feather light strokes

Originally Posted by dewey81

I used a Lady Gillette that I had bought my wife a few years ago to try. The blade was a brand new Gillette Silver Blue. I did get a sample pack with a bunch of different blades in it. I'm thinking it might just be an angle situation. I use good soap and the shave itself felt really good.

IIRC the Lady Gillette razors have a long handle to make it easier for women to shave legs, under arms, etc. That might have caused the angle problem talked about earlier. A DE with a shorter handle will make it easier for you to control the angle on your neck and chin.

If the shave soap is an issue, I strongly urge you to try Baume.be. It was formulated by someone who has very sensitive skin.

Originally Posted by dewey81

Thank you for the response! I guess maybe a better way to ask would be what blades to avoid haha. From what little I've researched previously there seems to be a lot of trial and error when talking about DE's arbys what is good for the specific user. I have a courser beard myself.

This subject has been discussed in lengths here and other wet shaving forums, just like everything else. It depends on your skin and technique.
I mostly shave with SRs, but when I travel, I bring DE. What helped me to figure out the blades that work for me was ordering a multi-pack (variety pack) and trying each blade.
I picked my favorites that I continue to use, and I donated the others to friends and forum members.

Many vendors offer variety packs now, check them out. You can also PM me, and I'll be more than happy to send you a few blades to try.

Cheers.

Shave update:

Attempt two. Same blade but this time with a Schick Krona. Paid super close attention to pressure. A little better with the breakouts. There's still some residual from the previous shave. Wasn't super happy with the end result, but shooting for less skin problems at this point vs a perfect shave. Also, one of these times I'll get the picture to show correctly 🙄