Thread: Shave irritation?

I am about to embark on the new and exciting journey of straight razor shaving. My question is this. I currently shave with a gillette fusion razor and unless I skip about three days between shaves I develope extreme irritation on my neck and throat area. I do have a heavy beard so I need to shave wtg and atg. This can leave me raw and practically bloody. I was wondering if this will get better or worse when I switch to a straight? I know they cut much closer but will the closer shave or preparation help to fix this?

Hi and welcome to SRP. Shaving with a straight takes getting used to. Your first shaves will be under par because you are learning a new trade.

I cannot speak for all members, but the general sentiment is that shaving with a straight, when done properly, will leave no irritation and be smooth for a longer time. But practice makes perfect. Beardprep is also an important factor in getting a comfortable shave. I'm at it for 5 months and can really nice shaves on occasion, but they are comfortable. That is what counts.

Please read the wiki about the first shave and shaving with a straight in general. Good luck!

Welcome to SRP.

Lots of gentlemen move to straights for such reasons. It is in my opinion, by far, the best shave for the skin. But the razor alone is not going to fix your problems. Read into Shave prep, Shave Soap, Shaving Technique, Post Shave, After shaves etc. All of these things will influence the quality of your shave. See our Wiki : Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki ...it is a goldmine of information.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Bgood0485,

It did it for me..Took away all my shaving problems (irritation, ingrown hair... ) Only using a shavette type razor to try it out before spending more money on a straight and results were just unbelievable. Got me hooked on straight razor .... SRP is also a great discovery on my side... Lots of great info to start...
Cheers

Originally Posted by Bgood0485

I am about to embark on the new and exciting journey of straight razor shaving. My question is this. I currently shave with a gillette fusion razor and unless I skip about three days between shaves I develop extreme irritation on my neck and throat area. I do have a heavy beard so I need to shave wtg and atg. This can leave me raw and practically bloody. I was wondering if this will get better or worse when I switch to a straight? I know they cut much closer but will the closer shave or preparation help to fix this?

At first make sure you have true shave ready.
Second. Don't use pressure. if you need to use pressure to make blade to cut hairs then there is issue with your blade.
Third is. don't make more then 2 strokes in same part of your face.
4Th is Please Don't shave ATG. it won't help You in long run.
simple take your time to learn proper shaving technique.
specially WTG AND XTG .
Lastly preparation for the shave.
Be patient and good luck

Bgood0485,

My experience was that the straight shave totally did away with the irritation I had when I shaved with a cartridge razor; this was most noticeable on my throat and neck.

My chops & neck have never been in such good condition as they are now

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by PhatMan

Bgood0485,

My experience was that the straight shave totally did away with the irritation I had when I shaved with a cartridge razor; this was most noticeable on my throat and neck.

My chops & neck have never been in such good condition as they are now

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Same for me. I think it also may have something to do with not using foam/gel in a can anymore.

Jim

It can only get better, shaving with a str8 with the right technique gives a very smooth skin.(without irritation, etc.)
Even through a three days beard the razor will glide through the hair like butter.
Try it and you're hooked.
Buy a shave ready razor, and remember that you read the Wiki before you start shaving.
Good luck

I had the same experience with gillette stuff, especially in the neck i ALWAYS had razor burn and loads of ingrowing hairs. First two attemps with straight was not any better (the cuts are cleaner though :P), but i had no ingrown hairs since. However the big difference is that when i have some razor burn now its always at a spot were i had trouble shaving, mostly the left side. Razor burns now seem more of a technical and skillfull matter. After a few goes i will get better and results will improve dramatically. Also razor burn seems to disappear more quickly. (Maybe also because i use proraso razor burn repair, great stuff)

Few of the best tips i found here:
- Look carefully which direction your hairs grow, differs per spot.
- Get your razor honed!
- Realise you have a learning curve, watch the shaving vids, and try to learn from your mistakes!
- If it works for you its good.

Good luck! With some effort you will definitely be pleased!

Hello, Bgood0485:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

The straight razor world is a long journey of discovery. The best way to undertake it is to throw away the clock. Take your time, have patience, be methodical, and stay focused. Be ready to experiment and improvise. Also, don't spend a fortune in the beginning on a parade of fancy razors, shelf full of brushes, a store of shave soaps and creams, and collection of hones and strops.

Your initial shave quality will be, probably, not what you expected — rough and uneven. Yet time and experience will take care of that. Forget the BBS nonsense; rather, get the best shave you can with what your skill and skin will allow. For the most part, shave with the grain and across the grain. Avoid against the grain as much as possible.

For the first week or so, shave with the grain and stop. Shave with the grain especially on your neck. No, your shave will not be great. You might even feel a note of discouragement — "Why on earth did I start this thing?" That's natural. You'll get there. Remember that most of us have felt the same in the early years. Someday you will look back and thank yourself for having started with the straight razor.

Keep the pressure extremely light: the only pressure you need is that created by the razor's weight. Limit the number of razor strokes over the same area. I keep mine about two or three. Watch the razor's angle. The general rule is a 30-degree angle in some parts of the face. Remember that's a general rule. As much as I can determine, I keep my angle around 20 degrees — in some parts of the face.

Spend time on a good preparation.

Most of all, don't the push the razor. She is sassy and can bite.

Get yourself a quality, shave-ready razor, a 5/8" or a 6/8" round point, a good and reasonably priced strop, a good boar or "pure" badger brush, a puck of good soap and a tub of good cream. And a styptic pencil. Really, that's about all you need in the beginning. And stay off eBay in the beginning. The Classified here at SRP has a variety of razors. So do the vendors listed at SRP.

Continue your research, and if you have questions, please ask. We're all here to help you.

Regards,

Obie