Thread: New guy question

As stated above, you are probably having technique issues. There is a big difference between a disposable razor (cartridge) and a DE/Str8. I am a little concerned with possibly the pressure you are using. The blades on these (DE/Str8) should barely touch your skin with hardly any pressure. That is where a benefit will be for you with either one of these. The key is the difference in pressure, typically we scrape our face with a Cartridge, DE/Str8 you barley touch your face. Good Luck

Just out of interest when you say it 'chews your face up' what exactly is happening? Are you getting cuts or razor rash or ingrown hairs??

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Sorry to have to say it but with all the problems you seem to be having regardless of the appliance used once you know you don't have a medical condition then you need to look at your shaving technique in general. This is kind of like the guy at the range who has a bunch of guns and can't hit the broad side of a barn with any of them and blames the guns for his problems.

You beat me to it - exactly what I was going to say.

I would really like to see you use the other equipment you are having difficulty with. Irrespective of what your weapon of choice is, they all have several things in common. They need to be sharp, you need to know your beard growth directions, you need to prep your beard for being shaved, you need good quality lather, you have to understand the blade angel to your skin, and - above all else - you need to use little to no pressure while shaving. You cannot use the razor like a machete swathing a path through a jungle.

Maybe you would respect the dangers of a straight razor more and really lighten the pressure. I'm not saying there isn't something about your skin, making you unable to shave.

In the end - this is up to you. If you go for it I highly recommend a good engaging a mentor from this site. There are many really good ones here.

Good luck either way.

The general consensus seems to be better shaves with less ingrown and less razor burn.

IMHO,

. . . if you have good lather -- thick and slippery,

. . . . and a sharp blade (straight or DE),

. . . . . and you're not pressing on the blade,

the blade shouldn't actually touch your skin during the shave.

It should _glide_ on top of the lather's lubricating film, and chop hairs as it goes. You should get _no_ razor burn (if your skin is smooth).

So I'd bet on a technique problem:

. . . inadequate lather, or

. . . too much pressure on the blade.

Switching to a straight razor won't solve either problem.

Charles

PS -- Now, if your skin is _bumpy_, that's a different issue.

PPS -- I should test this theory by seeing how many times I can lather and shave in succession, without razor burn. It'll be an interesting experiment.

PPPS -- "Face mapping" -- knowing which direction your hair grows in, on different parts of your face -- is important. If you haven't done it, you may be shaving "against the grain". Shaving ATG, with too much pressure on the blade, is going to give you nasty razor burn.

Get a Pro Shave, that way you will know.... (Sorry if I sound like a broken record here )

Howdy all. I am going to see a dermatologist after the first of the year. I know it is mainly my inexperience that is causing problems. I have been trying different things, mainly pressure and angle. It is getting better. I have been shaving in the direction of growth not against it. I get skinned in spots, so I am sure pressure, angle and inexperience are a big problem. I live in a small town in Northern Nevada. I have not been able to find someone (pro) to give me a straight razor shave. Not many barbers do that anymore.

I'm going to go against the general consensus and say, for me, I get a smoother shave with a DE. I've been shaving with a straight almost daily for six months. The reason I get a smoother shave with a DE is that, even after six months, I find it easier to do a true full three pass shave with the DE than with a straight. There are some spots that, for me, are almost impossible to do a true three passes (neck and chin) with the straight.

If you find even a disposable is causing issues, I really don't see how a straight would NOT cause issues, even though it's the 'nicest' way to shave. Even though I'd never use a disposable now (never, ever), it, for me, causes the least amount of problems. Using a straight removes skin, using a DE removes some skin, using a disposable doesn't, as the blade doesn't really touch the skin, it glides just above it, and 'rips' the hair our (i.e. lifts or pulls the hair and then cuts it). I really would question your technique even with the disposable, OR, as you allude, your skin sensitivity.

Obviously you already have a DE, why don't you re-visit that, with an Astra blade, good lather, and NO (none, not any) pressure? If that works, then make the next step to a straight. If it doesn't, go back to the disposable and try that with NO pressure, and really good preparation (pre shave cream (maybe after hair conditioner in the shower), a really good cream (maybe something like Truefitt and Hill, or Musgo real or La Toja) and see how you go.

You haven't stated what the problem really is, i.e. rash, cuts, etc. Do you have smooth skin, or is it maybe a little pimply? Do you have other skin complaints? Is it possible that the cause isn't the shaver but the cream? Do you use different creams? Have you tried creams for sensitive skin? What about post shave? Have you tried witch hazel, etc?

Honestly, if you answer the questions everyone has asked, you'll be amazed at the way guys here will help you out. I find guys here are almost OBSESSED with giving an answer! And I mean that in a nice way!

Good luck!