How do you deal with rockhard stubble?

Hello there, folks.

I've been shaving with a straight razor for a while, but eventually went back to using a safety razor. There is, however, a problem I've been having lately. I can't seem to get good shaves when I have stubble. In fact, I usually get tons of little cuts here and there, and it usually ends up in a little bit of a bloody mess. Now, I could wait for my facial hair to grow out, but sometimes I just don't have the time and I have to look nice!

Heck, because of this I've actually been considering going back to electric shaving. So hey, guys, how do you deal with rockhard stubble? The kind that makes your partners face all scratchy and red? :p

What does your pre-shave prep entail? Do you use a pre-shave oil? I've found that alongside softening the hair, it also provides a slick surface for the razor to shave over.

Hot towels. Seriously, these work great!

Lather up, hot towel over the top, wait a couple of mins and take the towel off then relather and shave. Works great! :)

I actually started using shaving oil again, indeed. I love that stuff, but sadly it doesn't prevent me from making all these little cuts.

I've been experimenting a lot with different ways of prepping for the shave. Recently I've been trying cold water with shaving oil as of late, but I think I might go ahead and try warm water with shaving soap again. Back to the good old shaving brush.

I might be pressing down too hard, though! Especially the hair in my throat area is very hard to remove.

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Originally Posted by Stubear

Hot towels. Seriously, these work great!

Lather up, hot towel over the top, wait a couple of mins and take the towel off then relather and shave. Works great! :)

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That sounds like a lovely idea, however, I don't always have the time to spend on shaving. Now, I could of course shave before I go to bed, but my facial hair grows back really quickly and I usually have to do another quick shave in the morning, haha! But thanks for the idea :)

If you are using a double edge, how many passes do you make?

If you use a mild DE like the Edwin Jagger 89, you should try for beard reduction even with stubble. Make sure to do good pre-shave preparation and try three easy passes (WTG, XTG, ATG). You could even omit the ATG and do WTG, XTG, and XTG. It's worth a try.

If you use a Gillette or other adjustable, do a first pass with setting of 1-2, a second pass with a setting of 3-4, and a final pass with a setting of 5-6 or higher.

With a tough beard, keeping it soft and hydrated is critical. You might try using a pre-shave oil under your lather. Others have also suggested using a hair conditioner on your face during your shower to soften the stubble.

I primarily use a straight razor. I do a WTG and XTG with the straight and, just because I also like DE razors, sometimes follow with a final ATG pass using a DE. I shave everyday and I do know what you are talking about. Often, a one-day growth is rock hard stubble whereas a two-day growth of beard is softer.

Good Luck and Happy Shaving!

Sounds like work for a fresh blade--a new DE blade, or a straight in top condition. Those tough barbs will steer a blade into the skin unless it's sharp enough to lop them off first.

With your first WTG pass, you might try laying the blade flat or almost flat on your face. Maybe, make a pass or two with the blade flat. This will reduce your beard length closer to the skin without razor burn (since the blade is very close to moving parallel with your skin.)

After that first WTG pass or two, relather, and the rest of your shave should be as before, with blade elevated a little more.

No matter the length of your beard the razor should not be causing those issues. You must be doing something different to cause the cuts. Check your angle and pressure. You can try a hot towel before and see if that helps.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

No matter the length of your beard the razor should not be causing those issues. You must be doing something different to cause the cuts. Check your angle and pressure. You can try a hot towel before and see if that helps.

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+1. I would venture to say it has to be technique. Especially if you're getting these little nicks with the DE as well as a straight. Are you stretching the skin ? Did you 'map' your whisker pattern to see/feel the direction of the growth ? As crazy as it may sound you might also try the cold water shave. Forget all of the prep. Go to the sink and lather up with cold water. Rub it into your beard vigorously. Don't rinse, relather and shave. No pressure, 1 WTG and then either an XTG or ATG, again , no pressure and focus on proper stretching. That is my daily routine and it is working for me.

If you hold the razor, straight or DE firmly enough so you won't drop it but loosely enough that if it pulls it will flex in your grip you'll avoid nicks and cuts. If it is pulling never force it. Stop, put a dab of lather on the area and try again. An old barber tipped me to that many years ago and it has saved me from nicks and cuts ever since. :gl:

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Originally Posted by JJMononoetoe

Hello there, folks.

I've been shaving with a straight razor for a while, but eventually went back to using a safety razor. There is, however, a problem I've been having lately. I can't seem to get good shaves when I have stubble. In fact, I usually get tons of little cuts here and there, and it usually ends up in a little bit of a bloody mess. Now, I could wait for my facial hair to grow out, but sometimes I just don't have the time and I have to look nice!

Heck, because of this I've actually been considering going back to electric shaving. So hey, guys, how do you deal with rockhard stubble? The kind that makes your partners face all scratchy and red? :p

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How about going slower and shorter on your strokes? I have problem areas under my jawline with rock hard stubble, so after some analysis of how I shave, I slowed down more in my problem area and knocked down that pesky stubble.

This could very well be a technique issue, but something else to consider for pre shave prep: after a hot shower (or hot towels, your choice) lather up BEFORE stropping, and let the lather soak in while you strop, brush your teeth, comb your hair etc. Relather, and by then your whiskers should be plenty soft no matter how many day's growth you have.

Trust me, no matter how bad it may seem it's not worth going back to an electric....

I'd also suggest a prep/technique issue.

My personal experience ... let's just say that I have on a couple of occasions used my face to "sand" hardwood and produced visible, though very fine, sawdust. It's the closest thing I have to a party trick, besides knowing far too much about Dr Who. All I have to do to defeat my stubble is lather well and give it a fair chance to work. A thick hair is no match for a sharp razor. Rushing things, however, will always end badly.

Only apply shave oil AFTER softening your whiskers
with warm soapy water for about 3 min. Oil can keep
water and lather from softening your whiskers (in my
experience).

Try face lathering with an inexpensive boar brush.
If you have a normal (youthful) skin you may have
enough skin oils so the lather rinse repeat cycle
has value. First lather with the purpose of cleaning
your stubble then rinse and build a fresh lather
taking a full 2 to 3 min so your whiskers can soften.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

This could very well be a technique issue, but something else to consider for pre shave prep: after a hot shower (or hot towels, your choice) lather up BEFORE stropping, and let the lather soak in while you strop, brush your teeth, comb your hair etc. Relather, and by then your whiskers should be plenty soft no matter how many day's growth you have.

Trust me, no matter how bad it may seem it's not worth going back to an electric....

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I'll grow ZZ Top beard before I use an electric razor.

With your issues go back to the basics, good prep, wash you face in the shower for a full two minutes, lather from soap/cream with a brush and work the lather to the base of your beard/stubble again for a full two minutes, stretch the skin and use a nice sharp blade, one that you are happy with, remember some are better than others.

Sam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JJMononoetoe

That sounds like a lovely idea, however, I don't always have the time to spend on shaving. Now, I could of course shave before I go to bed, but my facial hair grows back really quickly and I usually have to do another quick shave in the morning, haha! But thanks for the idea :)

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This stood out to me.

If you don't have time, don't shave with a straight. At least if you have somewhere else to be. Do it in the evening instead before bed, it will last, i promise.

Shaving with a straight isn't just about having a shave for most of us, it's a routine, a man ritual. Grrr etc. Sounds silly but it's true, It's the guy equivalent of women having a hot bath with candles and oil, but with a lethally sharp blade included.

Other guys have said angle pressure etc, which i agree with, it's always the go to in these cases, it certainly was with me, but i think in your case you need a thorough and time spent pre shave prep also. I also have wire stubble, but can manage a good shave in 15 mins if i have to. That;s done with Nivea cream in the blue tin and face lathering. and i spend a good minute massaging in the cream till i can feel my face is warmer. However i prefer to spend an hour in there. i do the following

Soak brush warm bowl etc.
Shower, 4 mins of which is washing my face with a good exfoliating scrub or "for purpose" face wash. little gentle circles over and over and over. my face gets a good soaking with the hottest water i can stand under, then face wash for 2 mins as described then another minute of rinsing.
Get out, pat face dry, dry off, put clothes on, make lather.
Nivea cream as described.
Apply lather with circles, over and over actually making further lather, basically working it in. then brush on a finally layer.

If you have the time to try that, please do. it may help