Thread: real bad razor burn when using my straight.

ya Im not really using any pressure at all. just setting the razor on my face, then letting it slide down my face. for the last few days though its been getting better. I think alot of it was technique. but, its also time for it to be sharpened as well. think its time to send em off to get a good honing, n see how it goes from there

Originally Posted by flyfishingta

definatly have to remember to keep the pressure off the strokes. I think thats the biggest problem I'm having right now. Also, I'm not using any aftershave cause right now it feels like a blowtorch on my skin afterwards. I'm stropping about 50 strokes, and its nice n sharp when I'm done.

Hi Fly. I'm getting the hang of str8 just recently and read on the boards for razor burns or sensitive skin I started using Nivea. They have several choices for aftershave. No alcohol no sting and restores nutrients and vitamins for your face.

Definitely go light on the blade. That was on of my discoveries after it finally sunk in!

Originally Posted by Zorro

Hi Fly. I'm getting the hang of str8 just recently and read on the boards for razor burns or sensitive skin I started using Nivea. They have several choices for aftershave. No alcohol no sting and restores nutrients and vitamins for your face.

Definitely go light on the blade. That was on of my discoveries after it finally sunk in!

Some of the nivea balms have alcohol, read the ingredients on the box. Found out the hard way. I have all the nivea products now and can say the extreme comfort is the best, get it at cvs.

As for the burn, pressure as lots have said. For me blade angle was part of it, also I tried out buffeting. Seemed to help me.

Brian
Man and His Razor

Originally Posted by flyfishingta

not to sure where its from. bought it at an antique shop a few months ago. It can pass the hair test, and doesnt seem like its pulling at all when I shave. I just get a very sore face afterwards, like I tried to shave without the use of soap. very irritable.

If the razor was bought in an antique store, there is a 99.99% chance that it is not shave ready. So while all of the previous advice should be taken very seriously, it is all moot unless the razor is honed by a professional and is truly "shave ready."

I used to get razor burn when i first started a few years back. There were 3 problems i found. 1. My razor was a bit duller than a true shave ready edge. 2. I was not using a proper angle and a bit to much pressure. 3. I was not making and applying lather properly. However, I found that even with a bit dull of a razor and using improper pressure/angle, i was able to avoid razor burn by applying pre shave oil right after i got out of the shower about 5 mins before i shaved. I hope this helps.

If I can share my 'newbie' experience (I'm still on the learning curve!), I completely concur with the comment on not shaving the same area several times. I think it's a natural tendency for the newbie to dwell too long for several strokes on the same area. I force myself to do no more than one repeat stroke if any. Rather, I re-lather and take a little longer to go over a spot.

The other thing (for me) was to go back to 'sensitive' type soap and cream. I had been using one that contained camphor and that did NOT agree with my skin at all. I developped a rash that could pass for razor burn. Lasted three days... horrible!

As far as stropping... I don't know... my Thiers-Issard 'how to' manual tells me not to strop that often. I have shave a few times now with minimal or no stropping, and quite honestly, those were the best and easiest shaves I've had in a long time.

Anyway, good luck!

I don't have much to add regarding prevention of razor burn. Everyone else has done a good job of that. What I can tell you is that a good antibiotic ointment will go a long way in the healing process.

I've been enjoying Thayers aloe/cucumber witchazel. It has no alcohol and is very cooling and soothing.

That's interesting about the TI instruction not to strop as much. I've heard their blades are of harder steel than most; I wonder if it just needs less stropping or if there's some other reason.

No pressure at all, just let the weight of the razor do the work. Also make sure your angle is right. That fixed it for me.