Thread: Burning skin

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

its not like a mock3 where you need to press real hard to get the desired shave.

It sure seems like it does to me! Each morning I ask myself, "Do I want razor burn or lots of stubble?" So far it seems like a close shave and a comfortable shave are mutually exclusive. Wiping the lather off my face doesn't get the hair off even with the grain, so trying then to even go across the grain is counterproductive. However with some pressure I can get smooth skin but then there is the burn.

Practice practice practice!

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

It sure seems like it does to me! Each morning I ask myself, "Do I want razor burn or lots of stubble?" So far it seems like a close shave and a comfortable shave are mutually exclusive. Wiping the lather off my face doesn't get the hair off even with the grain, so trying then to even go across the grain is counterproductive. However with some pressure I can get smooth skin but then there is the burn.

Practice practice practice!

Perhaps you rolled your edge when stropping?

Its hard to say really, could be your angles, technique etc.

Oh and just in case: when you are doing your first pass, for now just try going over each patch of skin once. In that I mean whether or not all hairs have been removed with that first stroke, don't go over it again immediately. I'm not sure how long you been at it, but your face does need time to recover and adjust to this whole new method of hair removal.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Perhaps you rolled your edge when stropping?

Its hard to say really, could be your angles, technique etc.

Oh and just in case: when you are doing your first pass, for now just try going over each patch of skin once. In that I mean whether or not all hairs have been removed with that first stroke, don't go over it again immediately. I'm not sure how long you been at it, but your face does need time to recover and adjust to this whole new method of hair removal.

I think going over each patch of skin once on the first pass is a great idea. After the first pass, I can always lather back up and make another pass.

Last night was only my second go with the razor, so I definitely think technique and angles have a lot to do with it. But maybe I did roll the edge when stropping; what exactly does that mean and how do I keep from doing it? That's a true newbie questions if i've ever seen one!

Chad

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Perhaps you rolled your edge when stropping?

Its hard to say really, could be your angles, technique etc.

Oh and just in case: when you are doing your first pass, for now just try going over each patch of skin once. In that I mean whether or not all hairs have been removed with that first stroke, don't go over it again immediately. I'm not sure how long you been at it, but your face does need time to recover and adjust to this whole new method of hair removal.

I'll find out with more practice. It could be time to examine for rolled edge too, but I have a feeling my whinings will be ironed out with more practice

From my personal experience, and also from hearsay, razor burn is pretty normal in the first shave or two. Your face needs time to adjust to the difference, considering you're now using bare steal on your face with no lubricating "safety" pad like on safety razors.

Also, my first reaction to your post was the same as Glen's. Until you've gotten a good number of shaves under the belt, it's best to stick with WTG passes. I have completely stopped going ATG...I find that 1 WTG pass and 1 scything WTG gets rid of most, if not all, of the hair.

~Chris

Here is a funny story for ya, after posting my reply, during this mornings shave, I took my own advice and shaved this morning with as little pressure as I could manage... Using 2 WTG passes and concentrating on getting a perfect angle I ended up with a very comfortable smooth shave...
Just goes to show sometimes as you get too comfortable with your technique, and you sometimes forget the basics you learned years ago..
I too have sensitive skin which is one of the reasons I switched back to a straight, I first started with a straight back in 1982 to get nice straight beard lines....

Thanks for the reminder

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Here is a funny story for ya, after posting my reply, during this mornings shave, I took my own advice and shaved this morning with as little pressure as I could manage... Using 2 WTG passes and concentrating on getting a perfect angle I ended up with a very comfortable smooth shave...
Just goes to show sometimes as you get too comfortable with your technique, and you sometimes forget the basics you learned years ago..
I too have sensitive skin which is one of the reasons I switched back to a straight, I first started with a straight back in 1982 to get nice straight beard lines....

Thanks for the reminder

You're welcome, just don't let it happen again!

I've heard a 30 degree angle is ideal. How do you ensure you are using the right angle and pressure? Are their any rules of thumb etc.?

Chad

Originally Posted by PilotSports

You're welcome, just don't let it happen again!

I've heard a 30 degree angle is ideal. How do you ensure you are using the right angle and pressure? Are their any rules of thumb etc.?

Chad

As already stated...Practice, Practice, Practice....

30 degrees or two spine widths away from the face are rules of thumb. You'll get a feel for the proper angle at various places on your face.

As far as pressure, I've really been noticing lately (after almost 2 years of practice) that there's this "place" where the whiskers meet the skin. You want the edge to be working right at this place. The edge can be touching the skin, but not pushing into the skin. Its kind of like finding "the sweet spot". I'm problably stating the obvious here, but what the hell.

Jordan

If you are sensitive to the soap - it is very likely that you'd feel some stinging as soon as you apply it or soon thereafter during the shave!

If the burn is felt only after you shave and apply the Nivea - I'd also say too much pressure.

I'd recommend to stay of ATG for a while. You should be able to get very good shaves (not BBS but still) with a couple of passes with the grain. Also, maybe just wiping with one long motion is not the optimal in your case - try short strokes, and don't repeat where there's no lather. The repeat thing requires some discipline, as many (including me) are prone to just go for it

Good luck!
Ivo

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I'll find out with more practice. It could be time to examine for rolled edge too, but I have a feeling my whinings will be ironed out with more practice

Sounds a lot like my case. How do you examine for rolled edges?