Thread: Last hope of a Desperate Man!!

All I can offer is what I use as a final sharpness test, after stropping and before shaving. A truly shave ready razor should shave off the tops of arm hair, when the blade is passed through it at about a 30 degree angle. When my razors are able to do that, I get a nice shave and only have to use very short, very light strokes. If not, they go back to the strop or even to the hones. FWIW.

Egads, this sounds familiar. While I am no seasoned vet at SR's I can say my ultimate issues were blade sharpness and angle. I learned this after keeping at it. I still go to my DE periodically but... Hang in there... one of the members here told me millions of men used these things in the old days... I just had to learn to get over myself and keep at it. Good luck and don't give up. There are many degrees on the learning curve!

Originally Posted by Zee

I am utterly discouraged. Ive been shaving with a straight razor for 2 months now and still havent gotten a close comfortable shave. I have tried everything to get a comfortable shave but i still sit here typing with a red, bumpy face and general discomfort. My shave:

We hope you are letting your face heal adequately before the next straight-razor shave. I have keratosis pilarus, perpetually bumpy skin. I get mild sycosis from practically every shave.. until I started shaving everyday since the previous week's experiment began. I remember the one time I did two shaves in a row with a str8, I left the more difficult areas so burned it lasted two days. Wasn't painful but looked awful. I didn't try that again until little over a week ago (got my first straight on Christmas Eve of 2007).

Originally Posted by Zee

1) I soak a brush in hot water and take a shower, concentrating on warming my face
2) I get out, pat my face dry, apply Shave secret preshave oil, and lather up.

Have you looked at Kyle's highly acclaimed pre-shave prep thread on Badge & Blade? I found that interesting. Pre-shave oils before shaving are not recommended, even thought to be counterproductive! Controversial and not industry friendly but worthy of consideration.

Originally Posted by Zee

5) i use either an aftershave balm or splash. Ive used

• All Boosters
• Wesley and Ross Lime Balm
• Old Spice
• Brut
• Bath and Body Works men after shave gel
• Witch hazel straight, or mixed with cornhuskers lotion.

Have you tried post-shave treatments with alcohol-free products? Alcohol, while sterilizing, maybe exacerbating the irritation.

Originally Posted by Zee

I have done this process either every or everyother morning for the past 2 months. I have had nothing but redness, bumps, small nicks and overall discomfort. I have watched lynn's and others videos of how they shave. In general, this is what im asking:

Maybe take a break and incorporate a cleanser twice a day to reduce the bumps? I know if I have the nodules and they're large they are at additional risk of continued irritation.

Originally Posted by Zee

1) Does it take this long to truly get it down, or am i doing something wrong?
2) Have you ever heard of someones skin just being too sensitive for a str8 razr?
3) Is there some huge technique thing im missing out on?

I think it's possible to have skin that's simply too sensitive. I thought I had a skin oversensitivity problem but my current experiment is so far a success (Str8-Edge Shaving & Follicle Bump Woes).