Thread: It wont shave!

I have very coarse whiskers, and I notice a huge difference when I let the pressure or angle vary the smallest amount. Sometimes, I'll think an edge is going when in reality my technique has just fallen off a bit. I usually notice it, because I have a number of razors in rotation, and they are all honed at different intervals. When three in a row seem off, I usually figure out that I've been doing something a bit differently.

Not to say that this is necessarily what is going on in your situtaion, but if I were teaching someone to use a straight, I would start them off trying to shave their cheeks between the mouth and sideburn. On my face, the whiskers under my sideburns tend to be more coarse and grow at odd angles. Add to that the proximity to the jawbone, and you've got an area that is a more difficult to shave. The cheeks, on the other hand, are easy to access, have lighter whiskers on my face, grow in a more uniform pattern. Also, the skin there is generally tighter to begin with.

I'd recommend trying to shave those easy areas first and work your way to the more difficult ones as your technique comes along. There is a learning curve to all this. And just so you know, when I bought my first shave ready razor, I was convinced that I had been had. I thought that there was no way it was sharp enough. It pulled like crazy and caused horrible razor burn. I bought another that I thought caused me less problems and learned to shave with it. The first one set in the case for a couple months. When I finally pulled it out to try it again, I realized that it shaved just fine.

Other than that, I'd recommend some additions to your shave prep. I wash my face in the shower then put hair conditioner on it. I let that set the entire time I'm showering. I rinse just before getting out of the shower. I do a hot towel to the face for about 2 minutes then apply Proraso preshave that sits about four or five minutes while I strop and gather my stuff. I whip my soap/cream in a bowl, but finish it on my face to massage it a bit. I usually let that set up for several minutes before I begin to shave. PITA, I know, but my face is like sandpaper and this really works for me. Best of luck.

quite helpful thankyou very much ill let you know how my shave goes

I hope the additional pre-shave prep helps out. As I said in our previous emails,

I don't do the HHT - my final test is a shave test. I shave test every blade before I list it, so I know I got a good shave with that razor. If you're not satisfied with the edge, you can send it back and I will reinspect and rehone if necessary. Other than that, all I can really suggest is reading through the newbies section and the wiki.

Let me know what I can do to help.

Dylan

Having purchased one of Holli's razors before and from experience purchasing many razors online, I can say his edge is very good and smooth. I on the other hand am a fanatic about my edge, so I rehone everything I get, even if to comes shave ready, why? Well I have a beard like Frankenstein, it's coarse and thick, and too boot I have sensitive skin, yay me.

One of my favorite blades came from Holli its an old W&B with patina, but I love it. Anyways, I can offer this advice as well. Try pre shave oil, it's hit or miss. I use it when I feel the hot shower and towl didnt quite cut down the coarseness of my whiskers. I don't use it everytime but I do when I'm testing a blade or need that extra cushion.

Also, in the beginning nearly every blade you will use will pull, why? well the reason is technique, learning your technique to fit your face is the biggest key, moreso then the blade your using.

I mean I can buy Rodger Fedderer's racquet, but it doesn't make me a pro, not saying your amateur, but give it some time.

Also, use a shave cream or soap with high glycerin, and if it doesnt have it buy pur glycerin from a pharmacy ( around 6 bucks) and it can turn a crappy soap in a stellar product.

Ok good luck
Happy shaving
David

Your first few shaves are gonna suck, plain and simple. Go through and read all the "First shave" posts and you will see almost all if not all of them complaining their razor is not sharp enough.

Keep with it for a week, and if doesn't improve THEN take action. Saying a razor isn't sharp enough on your first shave is like saying a car is broken because you don't know how to put it in gear.

Hello and Welcome. You did mention that you tried different angles but you didn't specify what they were. After the initial passes with the grain, did you go agaist the grain or across the grain? The WTG pass really does very little as far as cutting goes. If you haven't watched Lynn's video, I recommend it. You might also talk to your barber about technique. I find that they love to talk about this stuff, at least the younger ones. The older barbers I've met think we're crazy for using straights. One fiinal thought. If your beard really is the problem, try using hair conditioner on it when you shower. I've found this to make a difference. Good luck.

B,

Before deciding to go straight, what did you use for shaving? A double edge perhaps? If so, the straight should work just fine once you and it get to know one another. If other types of blades didn't work so swell, well now you know why all the guys way back when seemed to grow beards. Disregard flippancy.

I wore a beard for over 30 years before I returned to shaving, from where I had left when shaving with a straight. It took me more than several weeks to get back into stride and the first of those weeks almost convinced me to return to my hirsute ways.