Thread: Rough Times, rough face.

Originally Posted by garwmart

I don't think I am stretching it well at all now that you point it out. I'll work on that a little before my next attempt.

To be honest it might be as simple as that. Just stretch it enough to keep it taut and see if you notice any improvement.

I'm going to throw in a different approach to consider when you get angle, pressure, edge sharpness and prep to a comfortable level and you still, after all that have irritation and/or razor burn (depending on your definition of the problem). If irritation is still present try a cold water shave. Start by trying lukewarm water shave and see how that goes. Id=s irritation is still present go to a cold water shave. After much playing around with hot lather and constant irritation because of sensitive skin I took the plunge and right from he first cold water shave, little or no irritation. And I hate cold water! But since my face likes it who am I to complain.

Hey everyone, So a follow up. Last night when I got home, I sat down I practiced my strop. for about an hour I practiced. I played videos while I stropped and during those videos I found I was pressing too hard on the blade. I am afraid I have ruined my razor. I had seen on here that some suggest to get two razors. So you have one when the other goes to hone, and you can tag team from shave to shave. Because of pressing too hard on my strop while I work on my razor, is it possible that I need to have this one re-honed and start from scratch with it? It feels sharp, but not sharp enough to shave. In your honest opinion should I get a second razor and continue to practice stropping with the one I have until then?

I is possible that you "rolled the edge" of your razor while stropping. This would cause the razor to dull. However, I would give it another shot an see how it goes. The hardest part of a new hobby/interest is the first few months when you are trying to translate all of the abstract knowledge you have obtained from books, video, internet into tangible real world feedback. Don't give up! Keep on trying and things start coming together.

I believe you should try to figure out how to do a hht (hanging hair test) or at least learning how to do a thumb pad test. Likely some in the playlist you can find on this site (still trying to figure out where things are around here, but maybe in the wiki?). Really probably not a good idea to practice stropping with your razor as has been pointed out--when you get the feel right then do a few light laps and then repeat either of the above tests (hht or tpt) to see immediate feedback.

Cheers

So an update. Thank all of you for your help! I purchased a second blade. This time from the Forum. I purchased a shoulderless C.W Hackett. That was the best thing I have ever done for my face. I have a few nicks and cuts, but all in all smooth as a bottom. Thank you all again!