Thread: Do you get razor burn?

I reckon it's all been said, but I will say I got the lightest of light razor burn recently, when I tried a four pass shave. I think I wouldn't have had any burn, if I had have just lightened my touch, knowing that I was going to be making an extra two passes to my usual WTG/ATG combo.


Mick

+1 on shave oil, it can help a little and make that shave a little smoother. Also, a good stretch while staying light handed is what works for me.

Originally Posted by AlanII

.. those containing sandalwood, one (Taylor's) used to begin burning before I even put the blade to my face.

To me this may suggest you are allergic to sandalwood eo?

Str8, I think that was Alan's point.

Somewhere here on SRP, there was a great thread that talked about razor burn and what causes it. Basically it comes down to pressure and angle. If you're experiencing razor burn with a blade that is truly up to snuff, it's because of too much pressure and/or too steep of an angle. Some guys with tougher skin might be able to get away with the pressure you're using, but apparently you cannot (neither could I).

For me, my hair at the jawline grows from chin to ear, and this was the most important part. One, when I'm thinking I have a habit of rubbing my hand over this area, and a stubbly feeling isn't good. Two when wearing a collared shirt, a coat, or a hooded sweatshirt this stubble literally wears away the fabric/lining and gets irritated just in the course of the day as I turn my head from side to side. And if all that wasn't enough, these same whiskers were the ones that my wife complained about when she'd touch my face. They have to go.

I'd get burn if I tried ATG directly, and if I tried it after three passes WTG/XTG/XTG. So, since I had studied the growth pattern already, I began to modify my strokes. My WTG pass in this area is a modified XTG, cutting at an angle that's about halfway between WTG and XTG. My XTG passes are modified about halfway between XTG and ATG. I go over this area with the first X/ATG modified pass from one direction, and the second X/ATG pass from the other direction. The result is BBS without a true ATG pass, and NO razor burn. For me, because of the growth patterns of my hair this was very natural to get into. WTG on my cheeks flows seamlessly into XTG on my jawline. By slightly angling the stroke I still get a WTG pass on my cheeks, but the modified W/XTG pass at the jawline. This may not work for you. It all depends on your growth patterns.

Peace,

As far as I'm concerned Razor Burn is pain and pain means something bad is happening. I don't think burn should be considered a necessary evil of a close shave ever. Sure you can use better products or techniques to minimize it however if you do too many passes or the wrong angle or too much pressure or anything your skin dislikes you will get it. BBS doesn't necessarily mean you got the best shave. I can shave with an electric and be totally BBS yet 4 hours later I have stubble. Often times with a straight you have to know when to quit the additional assault on the skin.

IF I try ATG, I usually get some burn. Here are some things that minimize it, for me.

1. Rinse with COLD water at least after an ATG pass. It 'douses' the fire a little.

2. I am not versed on many aftershaves, but I use a more generous amount of this one lotion I get from Bath&Body Works that is 'Eucalyptus & Spearmint'. Eucalyptus is a natural antiseptic, and the whole lotion is very soothing on my face.

Your description sounds like it's about "power" i.e. "submission." The light touch will actually cut better. The more you press on the skin, the more the angle of the hair is changed for a poorer cut. I'm learning the lighter the touch, the better the cut. I don't get much razor burn, and what little I do get, the alum, Nivea Balm, and Bay rum relieve quite nicely.

I got nasty razor-burn when I started out with straight-razors because I was still learning how to sharpen. After two or three weeks though, the burning stopped. Never had it since.

I don't even think Iv'e had a good shave unless my face is burning at least some. After shave balm help cool that.
If I do my job right I don't get significant beard growth again for a couple of day's. I like to get my dimes worth[or euro, depending were your from]

tinkersd of SRP

I was doing well shaving almost every day with a STR8 razor, until this week and now two days in a row I got razor burn. I suspect the change is in honing, where I started to use diamond paste this weekend (just coticule finish prior to this) - so razor edge may be as much to blame as angle/pressure/technique.

I agree with that being the possible cause, I too use diamond finishing flat hones in .5 and then .25Um but follow with 40 or so laps on a decent grade of CromX. Some might say it's a lot of laps but it's a matter of personel techneque, have a great shave and a BBS every day!!

tinkersd or SRP.