Advice! My Face is On Fire! and other issues

I had my razor professionally sharpened by classic shaving, it works awesome. But I have some issues...and I purely believe there errors are my own fault since I am starting out.

1) I have a lot of trouble with my chin and jaw area - Not getting a close enough shave altho I work out the angles and go in 3 directions in order. I do end up getting a close shave but it burns like hell afterwards.

2) The razor skips and catches on areas of my chin, I dont want to put pressure on it but hair beard is not being lost when shaving in the downward motion and when against the grain it catches damn near everywhere and I dont wanna look like scar face.

3) Am I spending too much time on one area (chin and jaw and neck)? And is that why my face burns?It dries out my face a lot too but because of the shave moisturizer burns like hell after I put on balm.

I am confident with the razor, I keep the skin taut, I keep my cheeks and side burns clean and I do multiple passes but I am pretty sure I shouldn't be in pain.

Any suggestions, directions are appreciated!

D

For starters I'd go with-the-grain only until you can get a presentable and comfortable shave. Then you can start to incorporate across- and against-the-grain passes to see how your skin responds.

The chin is one of the trickier spots to learn as you have to maintain a good shaving angle along a curve. Check out the shaving videos posted in the wiki.

EDIT: I tried to link one video here but the embedded YouTube links ignore start time. In that wiki link, the first video by jockeys shows the chin area at ~ 3m 43s if you want to skip right to that part.

The only issue with that is I miss beard that way on the cheeks the closer to my chin. But yeah at this moment all I can say is God Bless Menthol. See my beard isn't especially thick, or coarse its not even to be considered a beard it doesnt go beyond a 3 day stubble being no longer than maybe a centimeter. And it looks stupid as hell because its patchy in the cheeks. Thank you very much for the link to the videos I already watched them once, Its gonna take a couple times to get a better idea.

Yeah, I second the grain only comment. I'd skip the parts of the shave that make you burn; it's no point ending up feeling uncomfortable, that'll just annoy you. Tell yourself that for the first few weeks maybe the shave won't be perfect, maybe in fact it'll look like you've hardly shaved at all, but resist the temptation to use anything else BUT your straight razor.

Luckily I've never had to shave my chin; and I imagine it would be very hard, but going there ATG would be pretty hard when you're new to it all.

Remember to go VERY lightly; don't hurt yourself, you should really ease off so you don't get a rash or look silly, that'll just make you give up. Go slowly but go ahead. Straight razor shaving must surely be one of the coolest and manliest things one can do, you need to keep going...don't look back...those little dinky plastic things you shaved with before are vile and absurd, the only step down is a DE and I haven't gone there yet and for me it's been three months now. My father still can't believe (or can't remember, he's 86) that I shave with a straight razor each and every day. he keeps saying "do you SHAVE with them?"...

I just started to use a straight razor in the past week or so and have the same issue. What has helped the past few days is paying attention to my shave prep and blade angle. Here is my ritual as of right now.

While in the shower I put some of the wifes conditioner on my face and don't rinse it off.

After I get out I put a hot towel on my face while I strop my razor and make my lather. (I stole some chip clips from the kitchen to help hold the towel on my face so I can use both hands if you were wondering). I got some Van Der Hagen soap yesterday and used it with my CO Bigelow cream and it really helped using both together, my face was a lot slicker and my straight glided instead of dragging.

As I shave I am really careful with the angle of my blade (I think this is where most of my problem was anyways). If it didn't feel like my blade was gliding I would stop and try a different angle until it felt right.

After I was done shaving I do a cold water rinse, aftershave and then some balm.

I got my best shave to date this morning and zero irritation. Hopefully I can keep this up but I won't let a few nicks or razor burn discourage me since I am enjoying it so much.

Good luck!

What has already been said is good advice. However, if your razor is skipping it could be a couple things.
Is your lather wet enough? If not, soap will start to dry and that will cause an unpleasant shave. If your lather is moist enough but it takes a while to get to your chin, that means the lather there has dried up so you should relather, perhaps adding a drop of water to your lather, then swirling it back up.
You could also try switching soaps/creams. Bigelow/proraso, palmolive, mama bear, SRD are all reasonably priced creams/soaps that perform well. For not much more you can get in to the TOBS and pre de Provence which will both aid in delivery of an amazing shave.
If you want to use whatever soap you are currently using just add a drop or two of glycerin to the lather and that will be of some aid.

D, I'm new to straight razor shaving, and I have had a couple of shaves now where I have experienced what you describe in points 1 and 2 above. I still have some problems getting a close shave around the jawline and the chin (especially the chin) but I have seen small improvements develop over time. I think we need to accept that this is a skill, and as such it will take some time to perfect. I do agree that the burning sensation is probably caused by going over an area too many times. I was trying for baby-smooth on my first few attempts, but quickly realised that my skin needs to time to get used to the effects of the straight razor. I've mainly been going with the grain for the past few weeks, and while it doesn't give the closeness I would like, in time I'll be able to start making a second, and then a third pass to get the ultimate shave. As for the tricky bits like the chin and under the jaw, I try to stick to very small strokes and focus on keeping a good angle while following the contours of the jawline. I think this area will take the longest to perfect. To reiterate what the others have already said, persevere with it, it will come with time - just don't try too much too soon.

It's just about impossible to get razor burn if you don't use too much pressure.
If you use too much pressure or too many passes, you WILL get razor burn.

When you're starting out, just glide the razor along your face, removing the
lather from it without a concern for the whiskers. You can even raise the blade
angle a bit and do quite well, but only with no pressure.

Don't even be concerned with BBS or perfect shaves at this point. You are
trying to learn a fairly difficult skill here, all the while with a razor at your
neck. Nobody is an expert first time out, so don't try for that.

I wasn't particularly happy with the quality of my first 30 or so shaves, but
I sure am now. It just takes time, practice and paying attention here. Stay
with it, and your progress will come. Don't miss the journey. Enjoy it!

Great advice already provided. I would just add a bit of patience. Try witch hazel or another non-alcohol AS since alcohol has a tendency to burn.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by McBrautigam

. (I stole some chip clips from the kitchen to help hold the towel on my face so I can use both hands if you were wondering)

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Now I am really wondering. Do you clip the towel to your skin?...:thinking:

Try and be smooth and fluid in your strokes. The chin area can be a problem for a lot of people so shorter, buffing strokes can work well. Stick with it. It will get better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mvcrash

Now I am really wondering. Do you clip the towel to your skin?...:thinking:

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I am not into that type of thing:). I use a hand towel and wrap it under my chin and use the chip clips on the ends of the towel when they come together on the top of my head.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by McBrautigam

I am not into that type of thing:). I use a hand towel and wrap it under my chin and use the chip clips on the ends of the towel when they come together on the top of my head.

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:rofl2:I'd be too embarrased to do that.........and I live alone

Everyone needs a good laugh every now and then. Why not laugh at yourself (I really do crack myself up at times). Also at this point, I still have the bathroom door locked so the wife can't barge in and see me!

Reading this thread, I remember when my face used to be on fire. It used to hurt so bad i couldn't concentrate on anything else. That prickly, intense kind of pain. But just keep on, and read and experiment, and when your shave is fast, smooth and causes no pain you'll realize you've mastered the art.

Hey Marc, I'm anxiously waiting for your pre shave video with your inverted turban as the featured item. I promise I won't send it ti everyone I know buddy. Don

Thanks for the advice guys! I will keep with it, but for now if I need to I'll use my Great Grandfathers Gem safety razor on my chin and jaw. But I will wien myself from it. My face is still burning a bit. I found releif in Vicks Vapo-rub hah! Ithink it actually may be my soap I use Williams Brand...the cheap stuff. I am on a students wages and can't afford a lot of fineries. My mother owns a small business and one of her vendors is a soap maker I may commision a sandalwood soap from her, its some of that organic only bohemian soap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FinalVestige79

I will keep with it, but for now if I need to I'll use my Great Grandfathers Gem safety razor on my chin and jaw. But I will wien myself from it.

My face is still burning a bit.

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That's the best thing you can do for now, and there's no shame in switching razors when you're learning.

If you're still experiencing some burning you're likely still using too much pressure and perhaps too steep an angle as well. Often new guys will get frustrated when whiskers aren't coming off with ease, so they shave the same spot over and over again trying to get it smooth. Try not to do that and concentrate on stubble reduction instead.

As well, the skin usually takes a little while to adjust to SR shaving. I'm not sure how long you've been at this but that could also be a factor in your irritation.

In addition to what Ryan82 stated, are you using slow and short strokes?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by McBrautigam

Everyone needs a good laugh every now and then. Why not laugh at yourself (I really do crack myself up at times). Also at this point, I still have the bathroom door locked so the wife can't barge in and see me!

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I have the bathroom door locked so my wife doesn't barge in and jolt me while I have the razor to my neck!

So, I was re-assessing my shaving and did only with the grain strokes...and I had the same reaction on my jaw and chin. Burns like a mother and my face is shiny as hell from my face secreting oils to sooth itself. I have noticed though that the blades edge is dulled on some spots and the point has some jagged-ness. I did the finger nail test and it was catching consistently. So I am looking for a good sharpening service both Sham and Lynn were referred to me.

I remember I tried shaving with it when I first got it, and basically my face was so raw it was one giant scab. Just terrible...

And here is a shot of my set up with my favorite steels...
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...2ndID/12-1.jpg

Hello FV,

You've gotten great advice here. As Ryan82 said, there's no shame in switching to your previous technique to finish the difficult spots. It took me 3 months to transition all the way over from disposables.

Good soap does make a big difference. Shaving soap is not the same as other soaps, so unless your soap artisan knows about shaving soaps you might not do much better.

If you've done the fingernail test on your blade, it is no longer shaving sharp. That test is used to see if it's time to move off the 1000-grit (bevel-setting) hone. That's usually the coarsest hone we use. After a blade passes the TNT (Thumbnail Test) a honer gives it a couple more passes on the 1k stone to correct damage from the test and moves on to higher grit.

You might consider doing a coldwater shave. It's as effective as (many, myself included, say more effective than) a hot-towel shave, and much kinder to the skin. Also, the suggestion for witchazel aftershave is a good one. GNC stores carry Thayer's cucumber/aloe, my personal favorite. It's got no alcohol (some Thayers flavors do) so there's no sting there. In addition, I keep it in the fridge, so it goes on cool and nice.

The only time where you want to exert more than a tiny bit of force is in stretching your skin. Stretch it as tight as you can and shave toward your stretch point.

Keep the spine of your blade just a spine width or two above your skin.

Minimize your blade pressure. Once it's properly shaving sharp again, here's how it works: Scrape off the lather and the hair will follow. Scrape off the hair and the burn will follow.

PM me and I'll send you a sample of some very good shaving soap a member here makes.

Clearly my comments about staying with the straight razor is contrary to other probably better advice. I was lucky in that I didn't need to shave my chin and top lip and bottom lip. Of course do what it takes to remain pain free. My comments were meant to keep you moving in the 'right' direction. For me, it would have been rather disappointing if I'd given up. Is that a real live revolver gun thingy? I can't remember if you said your razor was new or vintage...just curious...

My advice is this: send your razor to Sham or Lynn for a professional sharpening/honing, and start over again. You'll have a fresh edge to work with and it wouldn't hurt to review the shaving wiki.

As for the revolver, I am very disappointed on not seeing a wisecrack from "Ace". Ace, where the heck are you?? I love his wisecracks.

I'm here.

Just don't attempt to touch up with the revolver!