started using a safety razor about 3-4 weeks ago, and feeel im not getting a consistent shave. tried different razors(merkur,feathers,derby) found derby to be the best for my face but feel as though im getting razor burn. I thought the safety was going to eliminate this and when i shave and wear a shirt and tie its absolutely torture on my neck.
feeling a little discouraged
- Thread starter nick42728
- Start date
Could be the angle and also could be the pressure you exert on the razor (should be none). What kind of soap or cream are you using? How's your prep?
I had the same problem until I started to used Red pack personnas and yellow 7 o'clock blades. I ffound them to be the smoothest for my skin type. Derby's and Merkur's caused quite a bit of irritation.
Given that you are 3-4 weeks in, I'm putting my money on technique. It can take a while to master the "no pressure/blade angle" mantra ESPECIALLY if you have a thick, coarse beard.
Hang in there and work toward no pressure. It will come.
Hang in there and work toward no pressure. It will come.
took me a few months before i got the technique about right and that includes the prep which is very important, i,m 18 months in and now get great shaves whatever razor,blades, soap or cream i use, dont give up it will be worth the effort in the long run
Keep at it, only this weekend i had the dreaded razor burn after all this time, but very rarely do i get it but better today, i rushed or wrong angle or to much pressure, it will come.
- Thread starter
- #7
I believe that your technique needs to be worked on. Try not using any pressure other than the weight of the razor. Don't try to push for the BBS shave, they'll come as you gain experience and your technique improves. Remember that there is nothing wrong with a DFS, or even a CCS. 
+1 on technique... No pressure! Go slow!
don't keep jumping around trying everything.
Pick a razor, and a blade and commit to a month with it. Same for cream / soap. Work on your technique and when its consistent and you feel OK, then start to mix it up....
Barry
Pick a razor, and a blade and commit to a month with it. Same for cream / soap. Work on your technique and when its consistent and you feel OK, then start to mix it up....
Barry
+1 to all of the above. Less pressure, watch your angle, take it slow. As an aside, "razor" refers to the tool, and "blade" refers to the disposable bit with the cutting edge. Not that important, just a quick distinction for the future 
In regards to your collar irritating your neck, try a little bit of talc before you get dressed. Not so much as to smear on your shirt, just enough to keep it from chafing.
In regards to your collar irritating your neck, try a little bit of talc before you get dressed. Not so much as to smear on your shirt, just enough to keep it from chafing.
I'm struggling with the same thing, but think mine is angle... I tend to get one side of my face nice and smooth with no irritation, then some patches are rough and others look like I've been trying to shave with a very cross cat. Trial and error!
- Thread starter
- #13
On a positive note: inconsistency is really (in this case) just a lack of muscle memory. The more attention you pay to pressure and angle now, the quicker they will become second nature.
There's no shame in relathering....
Also, your lather may not be up to par. Certainly no shame in relathering, but some time spent learning to make a proper lather will pay off in spades.
It takes at least a couple months of daily wetshaving to really start to get technique down. It'll come, so don't get discouraged.
It takes at least a couple months of daily wetshaving to really start to get technique down. It'll come, so don't get discouraged.
I am really curious if the original poster is re-lathing between each pass?? If you don't re-lather between each pass, you are asking for irritation, and lots of razor burn. OUCH!!
I am really curious if the original poster is re-lathing between each pass?? If you don't re-lather between each pass, you are asking for irritation, and lots of razor burn. OUCH!!
Excellent point.
It sounds also like you've switched blades, but I'm not clear if you've actually tried other razors? If not, I'd switch to a different razor (pick a cheap one up off the bst board) and stick to it with a single blade manufacturer for a month as previously suggested.
G
gone down south
3 weeks? Pshaw.
It's going to take you a couple months to get really comfortable with DE shavings.
It's going to take you a couple months to get really comfortable with DE shavings.
R
rainman
The shave aren't going to be great right away. Better to just do one pass and leave the trouble spots alone for now. Getting the technique down is the most important. Once you do, the shaves will become consistant. It will just take time. What is your shave routine?
