Revelation for a good shave

After about two weeks of uncomfortable, but marginally improving, shaves, I finally hit on a good one tonight. I have a Merkur 39C and some cheapo chain store soap. I realize the 39C is considered aggressive by many people, and I know my cheap soap makes a huge difference (in a bad way...).
I've been needing the Alum block after every shave and putting on two layers of hand lotion and even following that up with vaseline...

So tonight I'd had enough and decided to go back to the drawing board with my technique. I do face lathering and got an average (for me) lather. But this time I shaved without stretching my skin. I went WTG then XTG. I even did little short trimming strokes to get rid of any stubble that was left.

Guess what?? NO BURN, NO WEEPERS, NO PAIN, NO ALUM necessary!!!!!!:rock:

Good grief, was it really this simple??? I don't do any face stretching contortions, but apparently just keeping a stoic and stiff upper lip is the ticket for me. I'll know more tomorrow, but right now my shave feels as close as what I have been getting these past few weeks. Did I mention my skin FEELS great!!

Congratulations! You are on a roll now! Double O

Thanks DoubleO. It still feels pretty good even this morning. We'll see how the growth catches up as the days goes on.

You have to custom manipulate your own face and everyone is different. Because we all talk about stretching doesn't mean everyone needs it. When I use a straight I have to stretch but with a DE I never stretch and I always get a great shave. As a matter of fact with my R-41 and a Gillette 7 O clock blade the result is so close to a straight...well, it's mighty close.

Quote:

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But this time I shaved without stretching my skin. I went WTG then XTG. I even did little short trimming strokes to get rid of any stubble that was left.

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I have to wonder:

. . . Because you weren't stretching your skin -- and you _knew_ you weren't stretching it --
. . . . were you using a lighter touch on the razor?

. Charles