Thread: Can one's beard be NOT suited for a straight shave?

Hi guys,

I'm so frustrated right now. I've shaved for the second time now with my razor honed by Lynn (did a great job by the way!). I've got around 8 shaves under my belt now in total. The razor passed the HHT and popped hairs off my arm, without the edge touching the skin.

I shaved today and WTG went rather well, just like normal, but still learning. After that i did an ATG pass (as i always cut myself with a XTG pass), but at most parts the razor pulled like hell and just dug in my skin. My moustache went so bad, i was worried about the razor would slip one time and cut off my nose. Also, i wasn't applying any pressure and stretched the skin under my nose, by making funny faces.

So sharpness isn't an issue with my razor, this got me wondering: could it be that the beard of some people aren't suitable for a straight shave?

Kind regards!

How's your prep?

In addition to the importance of the prep gradual stubble removal rather then trying to get down to bbs on the first pass is advisable. Before I knew that I would have the same experience that you describe and razor burn to boot. Now I do two or three light passes and all is well if my prep is right and my razor is shave ready.

Same as usual: shower, leave face moist, lather up and leave it about 1 minute there before the shave.

I have used straight razor for years, and I found that my 200 buck German razor (which is excellent) doesn't get as close as a staight I own with replaceable blades.... I think prep is an important part, as a true straights edge is so thin. The disposable one has a thicker edge and my beard is very tough indeed.
I would recommend you try a shaving oil. I apply a few drops before I soap up. Also, it is best to shave after a VERY hot shower. I use the brush for 2-3 minutes to soften beard up...Never had cut even atg.
Still, I wish someone can tell me why a 20 dollar hair shaper with 50 cent blades gets closer than my new 2oo dollar straight......Keep at it...it only gets better....Bullwinkle

Thanks for the input so far, guys! I appreciate it. I've tried shaving oils in the past and those irritate the hell out of my skin. In fact this, in combination with a electric gave me so much irritation that i still have scars from it, after half a year.

With respect to your original question remember that at one time straights were the only instruments for shaving so everyone used them. Usually when people say they just don't work for them either the razor isn't shave ready, their technique is lacking or they started using a straight and have unrealistic expectations as to how long it takes to get good shaves with one or they damaged the edge by stropping, honing or some other way.

From what I see in your case it looks like you aren't giving it enough time. Most people takes weeks of shaving before they start getting the most minimal of shaves.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

With respect to your original question remember that at one time straights were the only instruments for shaving so everyone used them. Usually when people say they just don't work for them either the razor isn't shave ready, their technique is lacking or they started using a straight and have unrealistic expectations as to how long it takes to get good shaves with one or they damaged the edge by stropping, honing or some other way.

From what I see in your case it looks like you aren't giving it enough time. Most people takes weeks of shaving before they start getting the most minimal of shaves.

I agree with this statement!

Originally Posted by gentleman

Hi guys,

I'm so frustrated right now. I've shaved for the second time now with my razor honed by Lynn (did a great job by the way!). I've got around 8 shaves under my belt now in total. The razor passed the HHT and popped hairs off my arm, without the edge touching the skin.

I shaved today and WTG went rather well, just like normal, but still learning. After that i did an ATG pass (as i always cut myself with a XTG pass), but at most parts the razor pulled like hell and just dug in my skin. My moustache went so bad, i was worried about the razor would slip one time and cut off my nose. Also, i wasn't applying any pressure and stretched the skin under my nose, by making funny faces.

So sharpness isn't an issue with my razor, this got me wondering: could it be that the beard of some people aren't suitable for a straight shave?

Kind regards!

I hope that you don't mind me being blunt, but I can say with pretty good certainly that you should not be shaving ATG. ATG for me is the last step after XTG both ways. You have been shaving 8 time now? I am a pretty fast learner and I did not attempt ATG till I could shave twice a day with little, or no irritation. You did not mention if you shaved with a DE before this, as that will speed your learning curve. In the first 3 months that I shaved I had about 150 shaves in. Just now at about 5 months I am doing ATG and am running into problems that I have to work through. Don't worry it will come to you. Add a little at a time and there will be a day that you will "break" over the top. Practice WTG because you should be able to get a very good shave with just that. The problems that most of us have is that when we get that really "great" shave the bar goes up for us, and if we were to look back that was more than we expected when we started1

It will just happen when it should and you can not rush it other than getting a certain number of shaves under your belt. Your face is getting into probably the best shape it has every been in, you are using soaps and stuff that are make shaving a pleasure so just kick back and enjoy the ride.


Just a thought,
Richard

Thanks a lot for all of your input, guys. You've (and Lynn) have given me great feedback to proceed with it. I've used a DE before (but i really can't see why this is beneficial, as the shaving is completely different), but my shaves with a straight are closer and would more comfy than with a DE. So i will shave WTG for the next period coming.

Just wanted that my Shavemac would arrive.

Thanks again and have a nice weekend!