This week I had an epiphany: no pressure means no pressure.
I've been using a straight (not exclusively) for about 7 months now. And over the past week, I've narrowed down my straight razor to a recently honed, and very sharp Challenge Cutlery 7/8 near wedge.
I thought that if I stick with one razor, it may increase my chance to greatly improve my straight technique.A few days ago I thought I had a good, shave, no cuts. However when I applied the alum bloc to my face it was instant fire. Moreover, my face was red for a while afterword. It was at that point I realized that ever with the little pressure I thought I was using, it was still way too much.
Fast forward two days later, same setup -- and I had barley any burn with the alum. I'm slowly learning combine a very light touch -- one that I didn't think would possibly work -- with the angle and sharpness of the edge to get a good shave with a straight. Now, stating this, I can get a really nice shave with a DE, with zero alum burn, but where's the challenge there.
I will continue to work on a softer touch, until I can get this thing down.
All the while, a certain Toots and the Maytalls song has been in my head.
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