Thread: New member here need help

This is my first post, I'm 21 years old and have been using mainly gillettes and electric razors my whole career. And get burned on occasion and starting to get it more often lately. I'm not sure what's changing but I'm getting tired of it, and decided to figure out why. I have been just spraying g on in the shower and shaving. I thought the lather and brushjng in.a bowl might help but don't have much of a budget yet. Trying to get through my last semester of scho. What do y'all advise? Thanks

Originally Posted by southtexasdeadI

This is my first post, I'm 21 years old and have been using mainly gillettes and electric razors my whole career. And get burned on occasion and starting to get it more often lately. I'm not sure what's changing but I'm getting tired of it, and decided to figure out why. I have been just spraying g on in the shower and shaving. I thought the lather and brushjng in.a bowl might help but don't have much of a budget yet. Trying to get through my last semester of scho. What do y'all advise? Thanks

By Gillettes, I assume you mean Fusion/Mach III, etc. I used those (along with electric razors) from the time I was a teenager until I was 54. For all those years I had mostly irritation and the shaves were not as good as I thought they should be. I think canned foam offers no protection and canned gel gunks up the razor and makes you press harder against your face.

In my opinion, the problem is that if you have 3-5 blades in your razor, you get the equivalent of 3-5 strokes in one stroke.

When I finally got a double edge razor, it immediately solved my problem with irritation and I got a closer shave. The brush and soap gives you a richer lather.

Please tell me specifically what you're using right now so I can make a suggestion that will help you. Is your skin sensitive?

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

Please tell me specifically what you're using right now so I can make a suggestion that will help you. Is your skin sensitive?

Well it's edge brand shaving gel with a Gillette fusion. And it's sensitive enough to get irritated when I shave the way I am now is about all I can tell you. I know very little about this stuff.

.............Sorry SouthTexas, I mis-read your post, but here is some info you can read, if you want.....................

Welcome, read some on this forum first, see if this type of shaving is what you want to get involved in.
Take your time & enjoy the ride.


http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi..._razor_shaving


Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki

http:/http://straightrazorpalace.com...or_Place_Wiki/

Hey South,

Razor burn seems most consistently paired w/ using pressure on the razor in an attempt to get a close(r) shave. 'Doesn't matter what razor - they'll all irritate. Some more than others.
If by Gillette you mean multi-bladed cartridge, that's very different from a gillette double edged safety razor w/ a single cutting edge on each side. Now if you take several strokes with these two methods - consider how many times your skin is scraped. With the multi-edged cartridge - its how ever many edges there are times the # of strokes you take. This can add up to serious skin irritation, ingrown hairs for some.

The multi-edged cartridge has enabled at least 1.5 generations to shave - without ever having to learn how to shave. I think you'll find this to be the most fruitful research, and you're in the right place to do it. While it may not be your cup of tea, learning the straight razor will make you a far more skillful shaver with any razor in your hand, including the cartridges. Learning about the lay of the beard and how spastic it gets, good beard prep, how to get REALLY smooth, using only the weight of the blade for pressure.

Although thre's lots of cross-over in attributes between soaps and creams, the right soap will often offer more facial protection - certainly more than canned stuff.

You will definitely find more here than you ever wanted to know, but by posting your questions here, you'll get lots of excellent help. 'Hope you find the time here rewarding.

Welcome to SRP!

The good news is twofold:

1) making the switch from canned goop + multi-blade plastic thing to wetshaving + either a DE or straight will most likely prove to be a good decision! It will give you less irritation and is a whole lot more enjoyable.

2) it doesn't have to cost a fortune to get started.

There are a couple of threads that should be helpful:

Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki

First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Note also that you don't have to jump to a straight razor right away. You can also pick up a modestly priced DE (double edge) safety razor & blades and start getting many of the advantages of wet shaving without worrying right away about the straight.

EDIT: Hirlau beat me to the links!

What would y'all say is a decent de for entry low budget? As well as lather or soap and brush ?

southtex,

You've got some good responses so far and you'll have to decide which road to take, straights are fun, but costly to get into. Since I think you're just trying to get a comfortable shave, and get through school, here's a low tech/cheap way to try. Wash your face well and let the soap stay on the beard for a minute or two, without drying. Rinse it off with comfortable hot water, leave it wet. With a wet bar of (plain old soap), rub it on the beard generously, but don't lather it. Then without letting that start to dry, shave using light pressure. The soap will provide a nice glide, and the beard should be softened from washing and keeping it wet. I've used this method many times with Fusion type razors and it does work and does provide a better cushion of the razor than a gel or canned foam and with less irritation. I hope it works for you!!



Best Regards,
Howard

Originally Posted by southtexasdeadI

Well it's edge brand shaving gel with a Gillette fusion. And it's sensitive enough to get irritated when I shave the way I am now is about all I can tell you. I know very little about this stuff.

I think what you want is a safety razor, soap, and a brush.

Here is a nice "Student" starter set: Student DE Starter Set

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

southtex,

You've got some good responses so far and you'll have to decide which road to take, straights are fun, but costly to get into. Since I think you're just trying to get a comfortable shave, and get through school, here's a low tech/cheap way to try. Wash your face well and let the soap stay on the beard for a minute or two, without drying. Rinse it off with comfortable hot water, leave it wet. With a wet bar of (plain old soap), rub it on the beard generously, but don't lather it. Then without letting that start to dry, shave using light pressure. The soap will provide a nice glide, and the beard should be softened from washing and keeping it wet. I've used this method many times with Fusion type razors and it does work and does provide a better cushion of the razor than a gel or canned foam and with less irritation. I hope it works for you!!



Best Regards,
Howard

Thanks! I try it tomorow.
And I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go de unless this works out