Thread: This is normal right?

JSCOTT, to me it sounds like your stropping and honing may have improved and had a lot to do with it. What makes me think that is the description of the pulling. Typically, that has to do with sharpness. What's really happening for most newbies is that they can't maintain a constant cut with the razor and end up skipping or not fully cutting all the spots. The short strokes allow for constant correction, but it takes a while to understand what the correction has to be.

As you improve you have a better feel for blade angle (flatness) and how the cut should feel. That allows for longer strokes because you're adjusting the razor to maintain the cut. See Lynn's video where he does the entire side of his face in one sweep, and watch the blade angle change as he goes around the jaw. That takes a lot of skill. It comes in time, but not quickly for most of us.

The only thing I'd add to all this good advice is the matter of unconscious improvement.

My neck was terribly sensitive when I started, even long after the rest of my face adjusted to the straight. I'm sure part of the problem was just the thinner skin of the neck getting adjusted, but also part of it was my difficulty in learning to treat my neck kindly with the blade.

I've come to think that over time, even if I think I'm repeating more or less the same techniques each shave, my hand and brain are making unconscious adjustments all the time. These days, I'm finding that I usually get a close and irritation-free shave on my neck, even though it feels to me like I'm shaving _exactly the same way_ I did when it was still very irritating.

A complicated way, I guess, of re-iterating the "practice, practice, practice" message. :^)

No matter how sharp your blade is and how softly you go over your face/neck, you are still removing skin with each pass. That's why you have to learn to save yourself. I only do 2 passes for regular shaving and save the 3 pass shaves only for special occasions. This is especially important if you have a sensitive skin like me.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

No matter how sharp your blade is and how softly you go over your face/neck, you are still removing skin with each pass. That's why you have to learn to save yourself. I only do 2 passes for regular shaving and save the 3 pass shaves only for special occasions. This is especially important if you have a sensitive skin like me.

I have extremely sensitive skin. I apply medication every day. I also need 3 passes to get an acceptable shave. So, that's what I do every day, without an irritation problem.

The bottom line is it's not the number of passes that matters, but the nature of the passes. I use rreduction, which is gentle progressive reduction of the beard, instead of trying to take as much as I can with each pass. I don't cut to clean skin until the last pass, when I have only a fine stubble left. That allows better control over the blade and avoids irritation. If you don't cut to the skin you can't irritate it. If you do so with a light stubble you can do it with better control and will learn not to shave off skin. You will get only a slight exfolliation, which may sting a little with some aftershaves, but no irritation.

Thank you everyone for all the advice. Every bit of it helped in one way or another. My last shave was much much better. I only cut myself once. I had much less irritation, and I was able to shave more of my face clean. I still had a little bit on my neck and chin that I had to get with my electric; but I definately improved. Being less aggressive really seemed to help out. It is also better for me to go diagonal on my neck instead of a straight down pull. I am confident I will continue to improve. I really appriciate everyone's help.

Two suggestions. Get rid of the electric. My skin is so sensitive that I have neve been able to use one for a clean shave. The passes over the skin really irritatte, and it takes time to recover. If you shave every day, it can affect your next shave.

If you need a razor to do touchups, try a diposable with a fixed (non-pivoting) head, something like a BIC Metal. It will let you get into the difficult spots easily and will not irritate if you keep the pressure light.

Don't worry about the nicks too much. They'll almost disappear in time. In fact, you'll only get them when your concentration lapses, or something like that. Do concentrate on avoiding irritation. Learn what has the most effect with your skin and beard and be careful to do it that way every time.

Joe,

That is very good advice. I agree 100%. Concentration lapses will happen and you will know it right away.

One more thing I found extemely useful.

Because the skin is a little slippery when trying to stretch the skin use a small flannel it will grip and make life easier.

Gary

ps Great advice about stretching in the correct direction.

Each shave is progressivly getting better. Thanks again for the tips. I was able to shave my face with the straight completely. The non-aggressive approach was key for me. It really helped on my problem areas chin/neck. The less area I try to cover in one stroke for those areas seems to help me learn the technique more too. I really have to pay attention to make just the heel/tip/middle of the blade shave. I am still using my electric for touchups, but I have less to touch-up. I have to wait an hour or so after the shave to do this. My electric always did shave a little better if my face was dry. It caused less irritation that way too. I think I may get myself a DE in the future for touch-ups/quick shaves, but we will see how things go. I am hoping as I get better with the straight; I will have no need other inferrior shaving methods.

1adam12,

I predict that within one months if that long, you
won't need anything for touch ups.

A DE can definately be useful for say travel if you
don't want to go through the trouble of taking
along a strop.

Also it's kinda cool to bring a DE out from time to
time just for a change.

If you do get one - Use no added pressure. The weight
of the razor is more than enough to give you a super
close shave.


Terry