Thread: Pre-Shave Exercise

In eager anticipation of the arrival of my first razor (did you get those ebony scales yet, David?) I have been trying to imagine every detail of the honing, stropping and shaving (and not in that order). I balanced a butter knife and chop stick in my hand to get a sense of what holding the razor will be like.

I think I'm using too much pressure though. I'm somewhat accustomed to applying pressure with hthe gillette to get a closer shave and I suspect this habitwill get me hut withthe straight razor.

How much pressure (if any) should I be thinking about using? Is it a 'little or none' scenario which just pops the hairs away, a 'just as much as you need' kind of thing and I'll find it when I use the razor (maybe all are different), or perhaps (scary and unlikely I should think) 'don't be affraid of some pressure, the blade won't cut me as long as I don't draw it edgewise and my angle of attack is right'.

My rule of thumb has been 'if the skin moves when shaving then 1) my skin isn't pulled tight enough or 2) too much pressure with the blade.' I have found it takes very little pressure. A keen edge is most imporant.

I used extra pressure with the Mach3 for a closer shave and that did cause great irritation. When I switched to a str8, the extra pressure caused irritation (no cuts). Then I learned to use a light touch, smooth shaves + no irritation = enjoyable shaves. Jeff

A light touch is better. Start very light, and adjust two things as you go along; first the angle of the blade to the skin is very important, and may be just the thing rather than more pressure. A sharp blade needs extremely little pressure. SEcondly, you may have areas of your face that require a bit more pressure (still light, tho!) than other areas.

You will learn, and adjust as your face dictates.

Light to start, and go from there. A sharp razor is the key!

And forget that old "Scrape it off with Gillette!" maxim!

"Shave" it off with a real blade - easily!

I'm wondering why you use pressure with the Gillette. I've never had to use any pressure with any DE, including a Gillette adjustable, and they shave clean and close (for a DE).

Since I had lots of experienc with a DE, when I started a str8, I used no pressure and got no shave. I find that str8s need some pressure, even the ones you get from our honemeisters. I think the experienced shavers don't realize they're doing it (you can even see it in Lynn's video or Brian Donofrio's video). The one exception is the Feather str8. It can be used just like a DE and in fact can do damage (with a fresh blade) if you apply pressure.

Originally Posted by xman

In eager anticipation of the arrival of my first razor (did you get those ebony scales yet, David?) I have been trying to imagine every detail of the honing, stropping and shaving (and not in that order). I balanced a butter knife and chop stick in my hand to get a sense of what holding the razor will be like.

I think I'm using too much pressure though. I'm somewhat accustomed to applying pressure with hthe gillette to get a closer shave and I suspect this habitwill get me hut withthe straight razor.

How much pressure (if any) should I be thinking about using? Is it a 'little or none' scenario which just pops the hairs away, a 'just as much as you need' kind of thing and I'll find it when I use the razor (maybe all are different), or perhaps (scary and unlikely I should think) 'don't be affraid of some pressure, the blade won't cut me as long as I don't draw it edgewise and my angle of attack is right'.

Actually a Trac II. And I'm used to shaving with a semi dull razor. I shave every other day and typically get 3 - 4 weeks out of each cartridge. I shave directly out of the shower with no lather. Sometimes I rinse the blade in cold water. I figure since I have no way to sharpen the blade, it should be as rigid as possible on the beard in order to avoid excessive dulling. I tap out the blade regularly to keep it clear of the fine debri. I usually rinse my face with hot water before the second pass. I don't really stretch and sometimes use the extra tension from the edges of the cartridge on the skin to cut the wiskers a little deeper. I splash my face with cold water and call it a shave. Been doing it pretty much like that for twenty years. I sometimes get a little rashing or a small razor burn, but very rarely.

Sorry, I wasn't logged in there.

X

Trac II is very forgiving and let's you get into bad habits. Applying pressure is one of them. You can't do that with a str8. It takes only a little pressure- a light touch. If you treat it like the Trac II, you will not just nick your self. You're more likely to gash yourself. The razor is very sharp.

Also, you need to keep the blade moving once you touch your face with it. What I suggest is that you try to apply no pressure and then add a little touch until the razor just starts to cut. The need to stretch the skin can't be over stressed. If you allow the slightest fold to form in front of the razor, it will be cut.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Actually a Trac II. And I'm used to shaving with a semi dull razor. I shave every other day and typically get 3 - 4 weeks out of each cartridge. I shave directly out of the shower with no lather. Sometimes I rinse the blade in cold water. I figure since I have no way to sharpen the blade, it should be as rigid as possible on the beard in order to avoid excessive dulling. I tap out the blade regularly to keep it clear of the fine debri. I usually rinse my face with hot water before the second pass. I don't really stretch and sometimes use the extra tension from the edges of the cartridge on the skin to cut the wiskers a little deeper. I splash my face with cold water and call it a shave. Been doing it pretty much like that for twenty years. I sometimes get a little rashing or a small razor burn, but very rarely.

Yep,
pressure is a killer. I use a very gentle touch with the straight and get a much better shave than with pressure.

Now the whole DE thing is a new experience. At Joe Lerch's advice I tried a DE as wehn I travel I don't always have enough light in motel bathrooms to feel comfirtabe with a straight. I tried a DE (new Merkur) this morning for the first time ever just on my neck. I think I used too much pressure. I got a real close shave but within minutes my neck was burning and remained tender the rest of the day. I too was always a Mach III, no lathe. tons of pressure scraper and without irritation. Lesson learned!

Oh, since I cheated and used a DE can I still stay here ops:

Tony

It just goes to show you that it depends on what you're used to. I shaved irritation free with a DE for many years using no presusre. When I started using a straight, I experienced that irritation on my neck. As I became familiar with the straight and using pressure, the irritation went away.

The only pressure I use on a DE is the weight of the razor. If I try that with a straight, it doesn't shave.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Yep,
pressure is a killer. I use a very gentle touch with the straight and get a much better shave than with pressure.

Now the whole DE thing is a new experience. At Joe Lerch's advice I tried a DE as wehn I travel I don't always have enough light in motel bathrooms to feel comfirtabe with a straight. I tried a DE (new Merkur) this morning for the first time ever just on my neck. I think I used too much pressure. I got a real close shave but within minutes my neck was burning and remained tender the rest of the day. I too was always a Mach III, no lathe. tons of pressure scraper and without irritation. Lesson learned!

Oh, since I cheated and used a DE can I still stay here ops:

Tony

This last message is mine.

I forgot to sign in. No matter what I do I can't get the system to sign me in automatically every time, even though it seems to be an option.