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My wife doesnt think I should shave every 2 days so I wait 3 cause it seems easier with a straight razor plowing through my stubble..after 3 days my face looks like I have a light yer coarse looking beard..any thoughts to guys here with coarse n sensitive skin and when do you shave?..I was also recommended to try a half hollow or less blade as they are stiffer and easier to "mow down" with
PcDad
Since i have a job that lets me not shave as much as i want, i tend to shave every 3 to 4 days( at least thats my ideal stubble growth) anymore and i start getting itchy, and any less and i start getting irritated more often. I can shave every other day and do sometimes do because its soo fun but again i get a little more irritation and need to pay a little extra post skin treatment(thayers, ASB) to the area, but all in all whatever works for you :)
Hey pcdad,
I'm lucky in that my wife doesn't care when I shave and I have a job where it doesn't really matter to be clean shaven daily.
However, I'm also cursed with fairly sensitive skin that can not stand the rigours of shaving everyday, even though my stubble does grow quickly. This has been the case with any type of razor that I've used. I've been straight shaving for nearly 2 years, learned all the tricks and techniques, only to find it is my skin and not my technique. There are many members who have a similar predicament.
I'd say, if you are in the same boat, either experiment with your prep + technique or just be content with shaving every other day like me.
I shave every other day now but used to wait a bit longer when I first started. I found that I could shave WTG on my neck below the jawline without problem, and that really helped in that my beard at least looked neat when I waited 3+ days between shaves.
Ryan82:
I work from home so things are pretty easy but if I wait 2 days then I do feel irritation is easier to show up..makes sense..do you feel half hollow more or less makes a noticeable diff..assuming stropping and care is fine.
pcdad
I think you can get equally comfortable shaves with any good razor. I'm not one to believe in these old barbers tales of fitting the razor to the face.
I have pretty sensitive skin too and a heavy beard and though I get my best shaves every other day like most I still shave every day and find as long as the razor is proper sharp I don't have any problems. If the razor is starting to slip though then the irritation makes itself known.
Sorry, are you saying that if you wait 2 days then you get more irritation? Just asking for clarification.Quote:
Originally Posted by pcdad
Anyhow, some guys swear that a quarter hollow/half hollow/wedge etc are the way to go if you have a heavy beard. This is can certainly be the case when just starting out; the stiffer grind mows though the stubble very easily. But it is also making up for technique issues, as the blade has less flex and can be more forgiving than a full hollow. I'm not saying that your technique sucks, as I don't know your shaving expertise. But when your technique is nailed down you might find a hollow to be your best friend.
I tracked down this old thread, you might find it interesting: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...w-apology.html.
These days I find I use a wedge mostly for heavy growth days, but it also works very well on short stubble as well.
A stiffer grind "may" be easier to "mow down" with but as tbs said an optimally sharp razor of any grind works. Some razors can feel nicer on the face than others & you will no doubt acquire some favourites but most will do the job.
I think thats a VERY GOOD analogy..just because it is a stiffer grind doesnt mean I may have more issues due to my sensitive skin..kinda reminds me of my father in law who got me started in DE over 2yrs ago and now I'm primarily with str8's...if you think about a Merkur Slant razor..does hella job for tough faces..BUT murder on sensitive skin as more blade exposure is the con for sensitive skin...I think i will work with what I have...unless there is an "offer" I can't refuse ;-)
pcdad
I would suggest that keeping it to 1-2 passes rather than your usual 4+ might help...
If 1-2 passes isn't getting you to clean shaven, then your technique is probably less-than-optimal, and with time and practice will get better-- leaving you with better, less irritating shaves as time goes on.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by pcdad
when you say WTG..you mean going 2 passes in one single direction?
(confused a bit)
pcdad
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by BKratchmer
Try different methods until you find what works for you. :gl:
Yep, two in the same. Give it a try, you'll be surprised by how well it works!Quote:
Originally Posted by pcdad
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.
I have never considered myself to have really sensitive skin, but have never shaved more than 3/4 days (as that does tend to cause irritation)Quote:
Originally Posted by thewatermark
I now find I can go even longer using the straight razor.
I have been shaving with the straight since Feb, and is only now that I am starting to get shaves without redness :) so maybe my technique is improving