Thread: tough beard with sensitive skin

for me 2 passes is down then up..that will drive my face into eternal itchiness!..what about XTG or other directions?

pcdad

Originally Posted by pcdad

for me 2 passes is down then up..that will drive my face into eternal itchiness!..what about XTG or other directions?

pcdad

I've found 2 pases either WTG then XTG or (this is good for sensitivity) 2x WTG will work very well.

when you say WTG..you mean going 2 passes in one single direction?
(confused a bit)

pcdad

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

I've found 2 pases either WTG then XTG or (this is good for sensitivity) 2x WTG will work very well.

Yes, what he means is to try 2 passes in the same direction. WTG usually causes the least irritation. I change shave directions depending on how close my shave needs to be that day or how much skin irritation I have after the first pass. I refuse to do more than 3 passes for the sake of my skin. For BBS I usually do WTG, XTG, then ATG. Sometimes I just do a 2 pass if growth is low and do WTG then ATG.

Try different methods until you find what works for you.

Originally Posted by pcdad

when you say WTG..you mean going 2 passes in one single direction?
(confused a bit)

pcdad

Yep, two in the same. Give it a try, you'll be surprised by how well it works!

Did you have problems with irritation with your DE? If not, then your technique is to blame, not the tool.

Not matter the grind or size, you should be able to get an irritation free shave with a properly honed and maintained straight razor.

I have sensitive skin with an extremely tough, dark beard. Having said that I have always shaved in the shower and prepped my beard very well in order to avoid irritation. Due to my employment, I am required to shave everyday. I usually shave every evening on work days since I am up @4AM and at work by 5.
I think the key here is very good prep and a VERY sharp blade. I now use a str8 so I do all prep in the shower, but shave at the sink. I usually rub my beard with a good pre-shave and oil my face in the shower. I try to let the oil sit a few minutes while I rinse off, then use hot lather and shave.

Works for me, no irritation. I try to give my face a break over the weekend also, but that does not work many times because the warden does not like a tough beard hitting certain areas which cause her irritation.

Beard toughness makes no difference, neither does the grind of the razor, when ultimately the user is skilled and has a truly shave ready razor and the correct prep and soap.

I have sensitive skin and quite thick hair, so a tough beard - although I'm not admitting that such a thing exists.

2 years ago I used to get irritation and bad shaves. The shaves improved, but alas I still got irritation. I tried all the different grinds and eventually preferred hollows after a long odyssey with various wedges and quarter hollows, believing that they were the best in the world.

I don't get irritation and virtually always have full BBS when I'm not sporting a goatee. Prep and technique avoid irritation for me, but my technique and honing/stropping skills I believe are what grant me such graceful shaves, with extra hollows.

The tough beard thing requiring a stiffer grind is complete nonsense. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Sure, wedges and less hollows feel better to some less seasoned users, but skill overrides any of that to the extent that it will eventually make no difference even with many days growth. You just have to learn how to drive them.

I have to agree with the "it's all in the prep" folks...I shave everyday (my job requires it) and I find that it makes a diffierence on what type of creme and whether or not I use prep oil. If I prep oil up it seems to restore a lto of damage from a couple days of skipping...I also use a Sandle wood balm or Ogallala for an after shaveso my skin is oiled back up with no irritatation.

My impresson is that the prep work was the most important for me. I use an olive oil based preshave, that I leave on my face for minimum 3-5 minutes. After that, the shave is always great, with virtually no irritation. If I skip the oil preshave, the shave will be much worse.