Length of stubble is greatly affecting my comfort

Okay gents, I'm going to start off by saying that I am still in my first couple of months of using the straight edge as my primary shaving device, so technique is still a potential factor in all my problems!
However, I am noticing a definite pattern forming in relation to the length of my stubble / comfort of my shave.
If a have greater than 2 days growth then I am able to achieve a smooth comfortable shave in 2-3 passes.
If I try to shave everyday then I am still able to achieve a smooth finish, but it is taking iro 1 extra pass, and it is leaving me very red and inflamed, especially around the neck below the jawline, either side of the adams apple. This effect is not restricted to only the straight edge, as I have attempted using only a good quality cartridge for this area to relieve the issue without much improvement.
Consequently I am not an everyday shaver atm.
My facial hair is very wiry and course, but not overly densely packed, if that makes any kind of sense!

Has anyone else had similar problems, and how did you deal with them?

Thanks
P

Hmm. I'm going to say it, multipass shaving is misinterpreted among new guys on this forum. They think it's the way to go from the start. I did, and i've only recently stopped. The comfort of you shave has nothing to do with your stubble, or your hair, it's to do with how much you're dragging that straight over your face, probably combined with technique and blade angle. and if it's doing it with a cartridge razor too, then you may have less tough skin than you thought.

Everyone wants a BBS, but not everyones face is up to having 3 passes everyday. As a newer guy the path you might want to think about going down is getting the most of a really good one pass shave with touchups. Like i said on another post, you'd be suprised how smooth you can get with just that. Perfect that, then move on to other passes.

I believe tekbow is right.
After you gain enough experience with your straight razor, the length of the stubble will be of little importance as to how close and comfortable your shaves will be.
Your skin needs time to adjust, and your technique will improve over time.

Are you in the uk Paddy? if so, go get some St Ives apricot exfoliator, give your face a day to calm down and give it a good going over, neck as well. Check where you're getting irritation and see if there's any ingrowing hairs and pull em. give your face another few days then try a one pass shave.

The biggest enemy in straight shaving is impatience, and i'm more guilty of it than any of you. I can't not shave even when i'm going red and know i should leave it. Now i strop instead of shaving on laydays to help with the craving ;)

It may be also that your razor may not be sharp enough. When you make a WTG pass, if you have prepped properly, you should be able to lay the blade down enough that the spine is just off your skin. It should "almost" feel like you are just wiping the beard away. The secret to a shave that will not leave you irritated is low angle and low pressure. If your razor is not sharp enough you will have to increase both to get a good shave because the edge just will not catch the hair to cut it. Just a thought.

When you are new to shaving also it takes time for your skin to get used to shaving with a straight. It took me about 3 months. Now I do 4 passes every day and loving it.

Take Care,
Richard

It's common that with a longer beard you get closer more comfortable shaves with fewer passes. I would guess there is more area for the blade to bite into. With shorter hair there is less hair presented to the razor and it takes more and/or different passes to get the same result and probably more skill and technique.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's common that with a longer beard you get closer more comfortable shaves with fewer passes. I would guess there is more area for the blade to bite into. With shorter hair there is less hair presented to the razor and it takes more and/or different passes to get the same result and probably more skill and technique.

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+1, took the words right out of my mouth (or the letters right out of my fingers :))

Many members will report getting a more buttery smooth shave if shaving every other day, or more, rather than everyday. Exfoliation also plays a big part in this as well.

Have fun,

Ryan

I think there is another thing to consider and that if you skip days your skin is in better shape. I have been experimenting for about 5 months with putting hand cream or moisturizer on my face the night before and it is making a huge difference. When my skin is dry or having problems my shaves are only ok at best but, when my skin is doing well my shaves are superior.


Take Care,
Richard

I'm disappointed with myself for not saving this one post, years ago, from someone I can't remember on this forum... the hard drive (or whatever the storage system was for this board back then) crashed, more than once, and it may be lost forever... anyway, the skin is traumatized on the microscopic scale, which shows up the next day. The skin's texture is different. I'm not talking about pseudo folliculitis barbae, this is just what happens, no matter the cartridge, DE, SE, open razor, whatever. The only thing I think wouldn't cause this would be a depilatory. I don't know if the skin can become toughened or conditioned to prevent or mitigate this dermal phenomena. I already have rough textured skin (it's bumpy all by itself) so I hear you.

Check this thread out. RazorPete is a dermatologist.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...r-shaving.html

Have fun.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

+1, took the words right out of my mouth (or the letters right out of my fingers :))

Many members will report getting a more buttery smooth shave if shaving every other day, or more, rather than everyday. Exfoliation also plays a big part in this as well.

Have fun,


Ryan

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I have recently noticed this as I skipped a day due to time. The next shave is super easy and super smooth. After one of these shaves the next days stubble is barely poking out but is a real chore to mow 'em down. I don't like the idea of skipping a shave every-other day...:hmmm:

I am getting to where I go 2 to 3 days between shaves several times a month to let the skin grow as well as the hair. I love those shaves with good razors. It seems the bigger they are, the harder they fall! Its like they lay over and surrender so much better than those short, stiff suckers from yesterday! If I shave every single day, it begins to be tough! JMHO:hmmm:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by riooso

I have been experimenting for about 5 months with putting hand cream or moisturizer on my face the night before and it is making a huge difference. When my skin is dry or having problems my shaves are only ok at best but, when my skin is doing well my shaves are superior.

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I can't believe I never thought to try that! I've noticed that my skin tends to get dry from being dehydrated most of the time, and shaves are prone to irritation. I threw some lotion on my face a few hours before I shaved last night (I work 3rd shift), and had the best shave I've had in a while!

OP: if you're still new to straight shaving, an extra pass may not do you as much good as you'd like. I'm in a similar boat: I'm fairly new to straight shaving, and find that irritation slowly builds up over the course of the week (whether shaving straight or otherwise). I keep my shaves to the bare minimum required to get a decent shave, but I've noticed that over time, "decent" has gotten closer and closer with no added irritation. Taking a day off every week is nice too: the next day is wonderfully comfortable and serves as a reminder of why I love my straight razor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's common that with a longer beard you get closer more comfortable shaves with fewer passes. I would guess there is more area for the blade to bite into. With shorter hair there is less hair presented to the razor and it takes more and/or different passes to get the same result and probably more skill and technique.

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Excellent point. Being a straight razor shaver for a little over 3 months, I have come to believe that the WTG pass sets up the hair(whiskers) for the succeeding passes by knocking down the length a bit. For the XTG and ATG passes, that's where technique really comes into play. So with the whiskers shortened, I use shorter and slower strokes for my XTG and ATG passes. But that is what works for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DecimalMan

I can't believe I never thought to try that! I've noticed that my skin tends to get dry from being dehydrated most of the time, and shaves are prone to irritation. I threw some lotion on my face a few hours before I shaved last night (I work 3rd shift), and had the best shave I've had in a while!

OP: if you're still new to straight shaving, an extra pass may not do you as much good as you'd like. I'm in a similar boat: I'm fairly new to straight shaving, and find that irritation slowly builds up over the course of the week (whether shaving straight or otherwise). I keep my shaves to the bare minimum required to get a decent shave, but I've noticed that over time, "decent" has gotten closer and closer with no added irritation. Taking a day off every week is nice too: the next day is wonderfully comfortable and serves as a reminder of why I love my straight razor.

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I have been down the same road as you when I first started straight razor shaving. I learned a lot from this forum and my experience which has now led me to water down my face with the hot water between passes to keep the skin moist for the lather and razor.

Like you, I take a day off each week unless there is a function where I have to shave to give my skin a break. I did that when I was disposable shaving too.

I get up at 4AM for work M-F and in spite of the early rise, I look forward to my morning shave with my straight razor too.

Many great shaves to you!!