Hi all,

I'm looking for some ideas. I've been shaving with a straight razor for almost 2 years now, and I STILL have problems with redness, ingrown hairs, and irritation. Even when I have a super sharp pro honed razor, I still get bad irritation when I shave more than every third day. If I wait 3 or 4 days between shaves, it's good, even if the razor is a bit dull. Every other day is pretty bad, and if I shave two days in a row I look and feel like I steel-wooled my face!

Here is my routine:
1) Strop (sometimes pasted first, if it's been a while)
2) Shower and scrub with an exfoliating soap to work out stuck hairs.
3) Soak brush; at same time, apply pre-shave oil (Art of Shaving)
4) Lather using Gentleman's Quarter soap (good stuff!)
5) Shave down
6) Lather, shave up
7) Lather, touch up
8) Rinse cold, apply alum block
9) Apply Art of Shaving aftershave balm

I've tried lots of different products. This seems the best combo so far.

Any suggestions? Am I just cursed with sensitive skin?

Thanks!