Bloody New

[BloodyBeard74]

Howdy, It seems that all the newbies are posting as new threads. I've been searching and found B&B--hopefully none too soon, too! I am working with a straight razor, and a Parker shavette. What can I say, I have good badgers, pre-shave oil, soap-in-a-cup, art of shaving soap, etc. HOWEVER...BIG HOWEVER...while everything works down to my chin bone--from there down: it is a mess of burn, rashes. Help!


I guess this isn't that good of an image, but it is a mass of rash.

 

[Mick]

Welcome to B&B

Are you using your off hand to stretch your skin while shaving?

If you have not already done so, stop into the Hall of Fame and tell everyone a little about yourself

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/30-Hall-of-Fame

 

[Vlad]

Hmm, this may have been better in the Straight Razor forum. I think the neck is harder because you can't go with the grain there due to the dynamics of a straight. But our experts will have some tips for sure.

 

[Niles]

Welcome to B&B. As Vlad said, in the straight razor forum you will find lots of help specifically for your SR questions.

 

[Wingnut]

Hi BloodyBeard74, WELCOME to B&B!

Wow, it sounds likie you're quite advanced with your shaves. I agree that your post might go better in the Straight Razor forum; I'll ask a Mod to move it there if that's OK with you.

 

[gash]

Welcome to B&B.

Based on your description, potential areas of improvement come to mind:

First, the prep. What is your prep routine? If the whiskers on your neck are not completely saturated, they could be harder to cut. That, in turn, could lead to harsher technique. When my prep is thorough and my scruff is hydrated, I don't even feel the blade cutting. People refer to the sensation as shaving with a 'velvet squeegee.'

Second, technique. Beyond the basics, this can be affected by your prep and the thickness of your lather. Many people prefer wetter, slicker lather with straights. If the lather doesn't easily come off the blade under a gentle flow of water, it may be too thick. That kind of lather can cause problems with skipping of the blade.

Third, technique. If you're using pressure against your face, or if the blade angle is too steep, you can get irritation. A dull blade can entice you to use pressure, but since you're also using a shavette, I think there's more to your trouble. Try using a shallower angle (the flat of the blade closer to your face).

Fourth, aftershave. This can greatly reduce irritation. The most healing, soothing aftershave I've found is Queen Charlotte Soaps aftershave balm. Others worth considering are RazoRock aftershave wax, and a mentholated product called 444.

Also, if you could describe your routine in more detail, you may get some responses that are more specific.

 

[Paxaddict]

As a fellow newbie, and one who seems to be having luck with his neck (and having trouble with his chin and upper lip), I'll see if I can add something of help.

Make sure you're aware of the grain of your hair. My hair doesn't all grow the same direction. Different parts of my neck need to be shaved in different directions on the first pass.

Don't fight it, if it's resisting. You need to find a new approach. And put down the razor if you're cutting yourself. You're not learning if all you're doing is bleeding.

Try switching up the routine. Try shaving the neck before the cheeks. Having a fresh mind about shaving might make all the difference. If you're shaving everything else dreading getting to this point, you're not helping yourself.

As has been said above, both pre shave and post shave are important.

Try taking a shower right before your shave, if this isn't already your routine, and make sure to rub the water into your face, really work it in.

This technique is worthless for me, but it sounds like it might help in your case, so give this vid a watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4705yIVe2s
My neck hair grows from left to right, so I can't do that on a first pass, but it might be closer to what you need.

 

[BloodyBeard74]

Note: I have now been in the Hall of Fame. As far as stretching my skin, yes, I thought I had been doing that properly, maybe not sufficiently though. I am left-handed, as well, and one place said, "learn to shave Left side of the face with Left hand and vice versa with right hand. The Art of Shaving folks said--stick with the dominant hand always. So, therefore, I have to learn to be more coordinated.

 

[BloodyBeard74]

ok!

 

[BloodyBeard74]

OK, sounds good. I am just like you, the hair doesn't grow in the same direction. Also, how much pressure are you applying when you shave in each, different direction?

As a fellow newbie, and one who seems to be having luck with his neck (and having trouble with his chin and upper lip), I'll see if I can add something of help.

Make sure you're aware of the grain of your hair. My hair doesn't all grow the same direction. Different parts of my neck need to be shaved in different directions on the first pass.

Don't fight it, if it's resisting. You need to find a new approach. And put down the razor if you're cutting yourself. You're not learning if all you're doing is bleeding.

Try switching up the routine. Try shaving the neck before the cheeks. Having a fresh mind about shaving might make all the difference. If you're shaving everything else dreading getting to this point, you're not helping yourself.

As has been said above, both pre shave and post shave are important.

Try taking a shower right before your shave, if this isn't already your routine, and make sure to rub the water into your face, really work it in.

This technique is worthless for me, but it sounds like it might help in your case, so give this vid a watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4705yIVe2s
My neck hair grows from left to right, so I can't do that on a first pass, but it might be closer to what you need.

 

[BloodyBeard74]

So, am I to understand that basically, my rash is from not pulling the skin tight enough, and that I should be more aware of the direction of the hair on my neck when shaving? Also, any clarification on pressure would be good. Meanwhile, I'm going over to improve my understanding of the stropping, pre- & post- shave.

Thanks in advance (again).