Thread: Shaving bump isses

I have a friend who just got out of the service. He didn't have to shave because of shaving bumps. What would be the best razor for something like this, a DE or a straight?

That was one of the things that attracted me to straight razor shaving as I'd read and watched a video or two that mentioned less issues with shave bumps. When I was using standard/cartridge razors I had enough issues with shave bumps that I only shaved once a week then just went scruffy. Within a couple weeks of straight razor and getting a little good technique going I noticed a world of difference and can now shave 3 times a week with minimal issues from irritation! I have never tried a DE but straight razors sure helped!

'Had yrs of shaving bumps - didn't seem at all like ingrown hairs, but just callous-like bumps. W/ a cartridge, all that could be done was to mow off the tops & clean up the blood. I bled alot less w/ a str8. Then, by accident, I tried limiting the shave to a single pass (trying to combine wtg & xtg). The purpose was to have some stubble in the evening for testing edges after honing. Two results: the single pass shave got so good there was still nothing to test with, and the shave bumps disappeared, and have never returned.

Agreed with the previous posters. I had bumps and ingrown hairs like crazy with cartridges. Coworker said I should try straights. I started out with one pass shaves and never have trouble with ingrowns or bumps. The only time I have any is when I do a second against the grain pass but even then its very negligible compared to what it was with store bought razors.

I must agree with the above. When I shaved with a disposable I got shave bumps all over my neck area. Wife made me use a red towel just to hide the blood! Once I switched to a straight it didn't just simply improve, I simply do not get ANY shave bumps.

I do have to travel occasionally for work and the good people in the TSA frown on straight razors in carry on luggage so I'm forced to use my DE when traveling. I immediately tear my neck up with shave bumps on every business trip.

How about a Shavette or a Feather with no blade for those TSA grope sessions in your carry on? Either mail blades ahead, stash in non carry on luggage, or locate a store ahead of time at arrival location to purchase once you get there. Sorry I got off topic . . .

Originally Posted by spinsheet

I must agree with the above. When I shaved with a disposable I got shave bumps all over my neck area. Wife made me use a red towel just to hide the blood! Once I switched to a straight it didn't just simply improve, I simply do not get ANY shave bumps.

I do have to travel occasionally for work and the good people in the TSA frown on straight razors in carry on luggage so I'm forced to use my DE when traveling. I immediately tear my neck up with shave bumps on every business trip.

Originally Posted by Prahston

That was one of the things that attracted me to straight razor shaving as I'd read and watched a video or two that mentioned less issues with shave bumps. When I was using standard/cartridge razors I had enough issues with shave bumps that I only shaved once a week then just went scruffy. Within a couple weeks of straight razor and getting a little good technique going I noticed a world of difference and can now shave 3 times a week with minimal issues from irritation! I have never tried a DE but straight razors sure helped!

+1 on this. It's why I started shaving this way too. I would get monster-sized shaving bumps (as I called them) back in the days of multi-blade toys. I couldn't bend my neck back as they were so large on my neck/throat - some where the size of a small walnut.

I still use ingrown hair cream and my routine is rigorous but I get very little trouble now that I am shaving exclusive with a straight. Started in 2005 and never looked back!

I would say EITHER a straight or a DE, as long as he doesn't use a multiblade cartridge. A single blade is the answer to eliminating the bumps.

Changing equipment can help, but that is only half the battle - more on that shortly.....

By far the most important factor is shaving technique. Shaving bumps can be greatly reduced or eliminated by proper beard mapping, reduced use of pressure and excessive angle, and eliminating unnecessary ATG shaving. Using these techniques it's even possible to reduce irritation using a cartridge razor.

That being said, using a straight or a DE will help to vanquish shaving bumps too. Of course, the cartridge system's claim to fame is the lift 'n cut system, which cuts hairs below skin level and is the main cause of ingrowns. By switching to a DE or straight the chances of getting ingrowns certainly goes way down (as those razors by design are not meant to cut below skin level), but is still possible. I think what generally happens is that when someone switches to traditional shaving methods they also pay greater attention to things like prep and technique. That, coupled with a good razor, whould leave razor bumps as nothing more than a bad memory