Thread: Are these welts? Technique or equipment?

Hey everyone,

So a bit embarrassing to post this here but I am really out of ideas. I was shaving with a shavette for about a month without any issues.
However, I received my first straight about a week ago and since then I have been getting these odd pimple sized welts/lumps and I am unsure if it is my technique or if it is my razor (4/8 wedge). I have a bigger razor coming next week 6/8.

After I shave, I use witch hazel then I use my after shave. I also do two passes.

Attached is a picture of what I am on about.


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Does your straight pull a little ? Is the shave pleasurable or smooth? If your edge is lacking & your shave cream/soap is not softening or providing cushion, then maybe the whiskers are getting pulled as the edge is trying to cut them. This would cause the whisker to retract & cause the hair follicle to swell.

This is just a guess, BTW.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Does your straight pull a little ? Is the shave pleasurable or smooth? If your edge is lacking & your shave cream/soap is not softening or providing cushion, then maybe the whiskers are getting pulled as the edge is trying to cut them. This would cause the whisker to retract & cause the hair follicle to swell.

This is just a guess, BTW.

At this point I will happily take a guess haha.
The razor just required some pressure to be able to slide across the face but not much though. I also use short strokes.

In regards to the razor, I received it "shave ready" and have also used dovo red paste to help the edge and afterwards I do the hair test, and it grabs the hair then cuts it.

In regards to the soap, I use American crew shave oil and then use my shaving soap. I am still a bit inconsistent in creating a lather so maybe that might be it. Hard to tell when it is right.


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The first month I started this journey I used AOS shave oil, then a lather. I did not like the oil on my skin, I did see a few bumps like yours, but only a couple. I gave the oil away & just went to cream & soap. I do use a product called Udderly Smooth (WalMart)as a pre-shave every shave. It is grease-less & softens the whiskers a bit, Plus it "Blocks" bacteria. It literally cured my son's severe acne, but that's another story.

If you only have one razor, consider getting another good cheap vintage honed by one of the senior members here that hones & compare the shaves.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

The first month I started this journey I used AOS shave oil, then a lather. I did not like the oil on my skin, I did see a few bumps like yours, but only a couple. I gave the oil away & just went to cream & soap. I do use a product called Udderly Smooth (WalMart)as a pre-shave every shave. It is grease-less & softens the whiskers a bit, Plus it "Blocks" bacteria. It literally cured my son's severe acne, but that's another story.

If you only have one razor, consider getting another good cheap vintage honed by one of the senior members here that hones & compare the shaves.

I was using the proraso red pre shave, but I figured I would try the oil and to be honest I can not really tell the difference. I'll have a look into that Udderly Smooth that you mention but I am not sure if it is a available in Australia.

I think I will wait until I get my other razor next week and see how that goes, because from what I was told about the current razor I am using is that it is more for detail and trimming than full face shaving. So maybe there will ever a difference with the bigger one. If not I'll send it off to be honed properly.


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Only guessing as well, but if you weren't having problems with the shavette it looks like an allergic reaction. Are you cleaning your razor correctly after using the paste and before the shave?

There's a thought

I re-read your opening post & since you were fine with a shavette, from what I hear they are very sharp(never used one), then maybe you have an edge issue on your straight.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Only guessing as well, but if you weren't having problems with the shavette it looks like an allergic reaction. Are you cleaning your razor correctly after using the paste and before the shave?

From what I have read I do. After each section (cheek, chin, etc) I run it under hot water, then I gently wipe the blade on a clean towel.

Is that not right?


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