Thread: 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.

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.

+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.