Thread: Still can't get it. Please help

Ill just add one thing
you say you shave every 5 days. Then do you have a clear place to start so you dont have to cut trough stubble to reach the skin?
May be you have to long beard for beginner tecnique

Other than that get it rehoned now 15 shaves can be a lot if your maintainance isnt up to par

I had a tough time of it when I first started. Maybe not quite the frustration level you feel, but I see some similarities. I found that it was not one single thing. There are several skills that come together to have that "touch".

All the things that the previouus respondents mentioned are potentially the cause. IME, out of all the variables, the most difficult one to conquer was the light touch required.

Because of my type A personality, it took a tremendous amount of restraint to not push the razor with too much force and to also not expect too much too soon as far as results. You already said you had a comfortable shave at the barbershop, so there's nothing weird about you that would make it impossible for you to have a close, comfortable SR shave. Relax. I really like Lynn's idea of a personal check up on your technique.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The first 2 or 3 weeks (shaving daily) I used a DE to finish my chin and the difficult parts of my neck...

And, you might consider using a DE or safety razor to start your shave, finishing with a straight razor.

The hardest part of straight razor shaving for many newbies is the first part of the shave. The whiskers are long. By the time you have them wacked down to close to skin level, you have a good case of razor burn.

Typically, shaving is easier after the whiskers are shorter. So, you might consider shaving with a DE or safety razor down to the short stubble length. Then, shave with a straight. That way, you can learn technique, angle and such, with much less chance of pain. Then, slowly learn to deal with longer and longer whiskers, but at your own speed.

Wow...we are all tossing ideas out, but what Lynn said would be great if someone could be next to you.

But I'll add 2cents. Especially if coming off a disposable.

1/8" of hair is a lot.

Many light, with the grain passes will be required. As you noted short strokes. LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT pressure. And narrow strokes. What is light pressure?

Only a small portion of the flat blade will contact your face. If it hurts, I will say you are putting too much pressure.

My face curves inwards. My wrist pitches outwards. The blade is 3 inches, but only a 5/8 of its width contacts to cut. Outboard and inboard of the contact area just grazes. If I am trying to get more of the blade than the contour of my face allows, that's too much pressure.

I'd also blame angle, but you said you have it right. Not trying to sound argumentative, but be attentive here.

If I were to force that flat blade onto my round face I will be in pain.

So not only light strokes at the correct angle,

Very light pressure with the straight.

Don't focus on getting down to skin on the initial pass or two.

This may be kind of an addendum to what I posted above.

I didn't shave yesterday, so with a little longer growth this morning, paid attention to how I could duplicate pain while shaving.

As you noted, I think the razor is tugging on the hairs, and not cutting through them. Wow-what a perfect torture device when done like that!

If I was inattentive to my index finger, the blade would not make deliberate cuts through the hair.

Try paying attention to your index finger, to keep the finger firm. Your not trying to man handle the blade either. Just so in control of blade.

I just grabbed a butter knife, dragging the back side of over my clean shaven face. I can duplicate that wrong feeling when I just drag the device on my face, and it just kind of skips along. But, when I hold my index finger, thumb, and even the back of my hand firmly, it is a solid swipe like it should be.

note:As a play with the butter knife, I can not duplicate the wrong way on my arm. I realize, after shaving, with a witch hazel/aftershave splash, my face is some what tacky to the feel. I think this heightens the effect to feel the right vs wrong.

Good Luck

Wow guy's thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it. I'm actually going to print out this thread and save it to look at to help me remember all this excellent info. I will try to see when and where, if any, NYC meets will be. I would love to attend to see what it's all about. I am going to send it out to get re-honed. Before I do that, should I try to touch it up with chromium oxide? I bought some off a member here a few months back and was going to apply some with oil to some balsa wood purchased at the craft store.

Again, thank you so much for all your help guys.

-Anthony