Thread: My thoughts: Lots of growth = uncomfortable. Period.

I find I get terribly uncomfortable shaves when I try it every day, if I do it every 3 or 4 days, usually the result is very good. However, today's shave of about 1.5weeks growth was very unpleasant, I too needed to grab another razor to finish the job and it too struggled.
I think more than a weeks growth is pushing it for most blades, so I shall not be letting my growth get too long again.

That's the only reason that I keep my old Braun electric around. The slide-up trimmer will knock a weeks worth of growth down to a manageable 'two-day' growth in no time.

Originally Posted by kelbro

That's the only reason that I keep my old Braun electric around. The slide-up trimmer will knock a weeks worth of growth down to a manageable 'two-day' growth in no time.

Same here. I use an electric trimmer when the beard is longer. I believe the issue is that longer whiskers will prevent soaking down to the skin when applying lather.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Glen and all the rest- I am saying that my uncomfortable shaves come after maybe 10-14 days growth. I mean long hairs and lots of 'em. I think there may be a threshold for comfort and that each of us has a different threshold. I do in fact get perfectly comfortable shaves after 3, even 5 days or so. This is why I used two different razors Nelson, because they were both in fact very well honed. So I just think that I can get optimal shaves up until maybe 10 days growth and then the comfort declines, some people may have different thresholds, but this is what I've consistently experienced.

Notice I said 3-4 day Hiatus from shaving not 10-14. I would imagine 10-14 would be a challenge that would require a different approach. Personally, about 4 days is the most I've ever gone.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Notice I said 3-4 day Hiatus from shaving not 10-14. I would imagine 10-14 would be a challenge that would require a different approach. Personally, about 4 days is the most I've ever gone.

Like clippers?

Jordan

Originally Posted by Chris L

I'm glad you posted this. I've never yet let my beard grow longer than 3 days so I can't say how 7 days works for me or doesn't. Interestingly, I find a 2 or even 3 day beard growth gives me a more satisfying and sometimes even more comfortable than my daily shaves. Maybe my face, (like muscles, if given a day or two of rest between workouts) feels better during a shave? My daily shaves are almost always irritation free.

Chris L

I agree with this. Recently I have gone on fishing/camping trips and acquired at least 4-5 days of growth between shaves and it feels smoover than an everyday shave. Right now I only shave every other day, without any probs/irritation.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Notice I said 3-4 day Hiatus from shaving not 10-14. I would imagine 10-14 would be a challenge that would require a different approach. Personally, about 4 days is the most I've ever gone.

Obviously everyone's beard doesn't grow at the same rate. I can get away with looking "neat" for about a day and a half maybe two days max. However, I am pretty much a slob so I rarely shave more frequently than every other day and that is more than usual. Typically, because I am currently out of work and wallowing in self pity, I shave maybe twice a week. I know some guys who after ten hours look like I do after two days. Conversely, I know some guys who can go for days and hardly have a scruff. I maintain that the difficulty with shaving a week's growth as opposed to a day's growth is not that the longer whiskers are any harder but that they form a better water resistant layer thereby preventing the saturation of the beard with lather(water). If you use a stiffer brush and work it in all directions to ensure getting the lather down to your skin it will likely help. Or... you can just not be so lazy and follow the advice of the late great Benny Bell:
"Shaving cream, be nice and clean
Shave everyday and you'll always look keen"

I like to give my facial skin a day of recovery so I don't shave on Sundays...

Dan

I started a poll about this. Feel free to have a look...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...out-shave.html

OK here's my take on it.

With a full hollow you're more likely to have a rough shave with a 14 day beard.

I know that with 3-4 days growth (I have a euro background) my shaves are a hell of a lot worse with a full hollow than with a stiffer grind. That said, if I shave every day and make sure I pay 100% attention to what I'm doing, I end up with the best results and smoothest skin.