I started straight shaving right around two years ago. It took me a few months to get the knack, but I eventually got a good routine and could pull off a near BBS shave every time. I got pretty good at honing my blades and keeping everything hunky dory.
Some time last year I started getting more lax. I noticed that shaving started to cause me a little irritation like I hadn't had in a long while. That couple with some other things led me to shave less often than I should have. Normally shave every other day, but I found myself going up to a week, sometimes longer. My facial hair grows very slowly... In a week I have about as much "beard" as most gusy get after just two or three days.
With each shave the irritation got a little worse, as did the quality of the job itself. I realised that it was probably because the blades were getting dull, and because I was taking longer between shaves. I've found that the more growth I let accumulate, the rougher the shave is. But even though I knew the blades all needed sharpening, I couldn't be bothered to do it. So I just shaved on, and suffered through what at one time had always been a very pleasureable and meditative experience.
So I finally honed all of my razors a couple months ago. And to my surprise, it didn't stop the irritation. I was baffled. I could tell the razors were cutting more smoothly, but my face still burned after every shave - no matter which razor, brush, preshave, cream, or balm I used. I just signed and resigned myself to fate. At least it was less irritating than an M3.
Two weeks ago, I suddenly had a thought. I don't know what sparked it. But I noticed as I was putting the blade to my face, the angle was all wrong. I adjusted the angle and BAM! Perfect shave, every time since.
I had finally figured out what was happening. As my blades got duller, I subconsciously changed the angle at which I held the blade to compensate. I had pulled the spine further away from my face in order to get more of the actual edge contacting the skin. I had waited so long between hones that this change in angle became habit. So even after I sharpened the blades, I kept that wrong angle and found myself just scraping the stubble off instead of cutting it. And scaping off more skin, to boot.
So for the last 8+ months, I've been suffering through and avoiding what should have been a ritual I enjoy. And it all could have been averted if I had just gotten out my stone and sharpened the bloody things as soon as I recognized the problem.
So the veterns amongst us may laugh and shake their heads at me with a knowing grin
But for the rest of us, especially if you're new to the sport, take heed. Give your blades -- and all your other tools, really -- the due diligence they deserve. Take care of your razors and they'll take care of your face.
Some time last year I started getting more lax. I noticed that shaving started to cause me a little irritation like I hadn't had in a long while. That couple with some other things led me to shave less often than I should have. Normally shave every other day, but I found myself going up to a week, sometimes longer. My facial hair grows very slowly... In a week I have about as much "beard" as most gusy get after just two or three days.
With each shave the irritation got a little worse, as did the quality of the job itself. I realised that it was probably because the blades were getting dull, and because I was taking longer between shaves. I've found that the more growth I let accumulate, the rougher the shave is. But even though I knew the blades all needed sharpening, I couldn't be bothered to do it. So I just shaved on, and suffered through what at one time had always been a very pleasureable and meditative experience.
So I finally honed all of my razors a couple months ago. And to my surprise, it didn't stop the irritation. I was baffled. I could tell the razors were cutting more smoothly, but my face still burned after every shave - no matter which razor, brush, preshave, cream, or balm I used. I just signed and resigned myself to fate. At least it was less irritating than an M3.
Two weeks ago, I suddenly had a thought. I don't know what sparked it. But I noticed as I was putting the blade to my face, the angle was all wrong. I adjusted the angle and BAM! Perfect shave, every time since.
I had finally figured out what was happening. As my blades got duller, I subconsciously changed the angle at which I held the blade to compensate. I had pulled the spine further away from my face in order to get more of the actual edge contacting the skin. I had waited so long between hones that this change in angle became habit. So even after I sharpened the blades, I kept that wrong angle and found myself just scraping the stubble off instead of cutting it. And scaping off more skin, to boot.
So for the last 8+ months, I've been suffering through and avoiding what should have been a ritual I enjoy. And it all could have been averted if I had just gotten out my stone and sharpened the bloody things as soon as I recognized the problem.
So the veterns amongst us may laugh and shake their heads at me with a knowing grin
But for the rest of us, especially if you're new to the sport, take heed. Give your blades -- and all your other tools, really -- the due diligence they deserve. Take care of your razors and they'll take care of your face.
