I started wet shaving about three weeks ago and I'm really not having good results. Half the time I'm getting really irritated on my neck. I'm not sure why this is happening. I started using a Merkur 180 long handle which I got on amazon with Bic blades. My neck didn't like it. I then switched to Wilksinson Sword blades. Not much irritation but my face was still a little rough after three passes. Today I used a 1956 Gillette blue tip with the WS blades and the shave felt completely different than with the Merkur. The blades felt way sharper but my face is a lot smoother yet my neck is really irritated. Will a poor lather do this. I'm thinking it's the culprit. Any input should be great.
Having a rough start
- Thread starter jkrugles
- Start date
Welcome to B&B, this is the very best resource on the web for anyone who is getting into or back into wet shaving. Most of the issues that people experience who are new to wet shaving can be narrowed down to two factors: Lack of skin/beard preparation/moisturizing and the use of too much downward pressure as well as improper blade angle.
Almost everyone here has experienced what you are currently going through. I have found two articles that helped me a great deal and they were also passed on to my Father who at 78, returned to wet shaving this past summer. He agreed that they both contained a wealth of information and reminders that he remembers when he first used a safety razor.
First we have an article from the International Dermal Institute. And then we have an article from Modern Mechanix. I hope that both of these articles will be of some help. Take your time on your preps and concentrate on getting your beard softened in preparation for the blade. Then, use very little pressure while going with the grain (WTG) on your first few shaves or so. Also, learn to "map" your beard by examining your personal beard growth patterns.
Hang in there, you will do just fine.
Best of luck to you and welcome,
Frank
Almost everyone here has experienced what you are currently going through. I have found two articles that helped me a great deal and they were also passed on to my Father who at 78, returned to wet shaving this past summer. He agreed that they both contained a wealth of information and reminders that he remembers when he first used a safety razor.
First we have an article from the International Dermal Institute. And then we have an article from Modern Mechanix. I hope that both of these articles will be of some help. Take your time on your preps and concentrate on getting your beard softened in preparation for the blade. Then, use very little pressure while going with the grain (WTG) on your first few shaves or so. Also, learn to "map" your beard by examining your personal beard growth patterns.
Hang in there, you will do just fine.
Best of luck to you and welcome,
Frank
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Are you trying to go ATG on your neck? If so, don't. No on NEEDS a BBS shave on the neck. It's just asking for trouble. Do two WTG passes if you have to. Also, when shaving the neck reeeeallly lighten up on any pressure. The razor should barely be touching your skin there.
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- Thread starter
- #4
Watch some videos on creating lather here on the site or elsewhere. It should be very creamy, thinner whipped cream. Make sure to use plenty of product and add enough water to make it slicker. If you want to upload a video of yoy creating your lather it would help us. What are you using for soap?
- Thread starter
- #6
Here is nice inspirational video:
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More often than not though..the real issue is technique when irritation occurs. Try some different blades. Get a blade sampler pack from a good retailer like Italian Barber and make sure to try Astras, personnas, Feathers etc. Astras were my favorite when I used a DE razor. I always had easily irritated skin in the beginning. But I'll tell you my straights are the best for my skin...
I would recommend starting with an easier soap than MWF. I would recommend starting with a cream like one of the ones from Taylor of Old Bond Street.
- Thread starter
- #10
The Proraso Red performs great for me.
- Thread starter
- #12
Sure. The Red has shea butter. The Green menthol/eucalyptus. Never tried the blue.
- Thread starter
- #14
I agree with everything that's been said. Just keep at it less than no pressure and try different blades. As far as Proraso Blue goes I recently got some and have used it a few times and really enjoy it. It's actually the first cream I've ever used, I also have sensitive skin and it seems to work perfectly fine with my skin. I also got some proraso pre/post sensitive cream and really like it, just a slight menthol kick but I would recommend it for sure. Good luck and keep us posted !
Proraso is a good value for the money. Try the white or red tub. There are better performing soaps but for more money. My favorite is Mikes Natural soap. Made by an artisan in the US. Only a few dollars more but the equal if not the better of much, much more expensive soaps. Also the ingredients are all natural and very high quality. Much nicer ingredients than the English soaps, particularly with regards to chemicals. Proraso is a very decent soap though. Get the soap, not the cream.
I gave away all my Wilkenson blades - they seem harsh. Try Astra SP's they are really sweet.
The Merker long handle is one of my favorite razors.
I'm not sure if this will help in your case...
I hacked my face to bits the first time I DE shaved because, I used too much pressure, went too fast and started off with the wrong angle. To picture the correct angle, start by holding the razor handle parallel to the floor and the top of the razor touching your side burn area. While making short North to South strokes, slowly drop the handle towards the floor - you have the correct angle just as the blade starts cutting stubble.
If you begin with the handle perpendicular to the floor (blade 90 degrees to your face) , you will get a lot of chatter and you will wind up with a ton of nicks - this was the mistake that I made and I wound up a bloody mess!
Be sure to keep the pressure as light as possible and take your time.
The Merker long handle is one of my favorite razors.
I'm not sure if this will help in your case...
I hacked my face to bits the first time I DE shaved because, I used too much pressure, went too fast and started off with the wrong angle. To picture the correct angle, start by holding the razor handle parallel to the floor and the top of the razor touching your side burn area. While making short North to South strokes, slowly drop the handle towards the floor - you have the correct angle just as the blade starts cutting stubble.
If you begin with the handle perpendicular to the floor (blade 90 degrees to your face) , you will get a lot of chatter and you will wind up with a ton of nicks - this was the mistake that I made and I wound up a bloody mess!
Be sure to keep the pressure as light as possible and take your time.
This thread should be moved to the DE forum, rather than straights, no? In any case, stick to to WTG for the first pass, followed XTG/ATG afterwards.
- Thread starter
- #19
IMightBeWrong
Loves a smelly brush
Mantic59 on YouTube has a small set of videos where highly skilled barbers give him a shave and talk about what they're doing while giving shaving advice. They're worth a watch so that you can see what type of pressure, angle, etc they use plus what they say is very helpful also. I'd go and watch those and then keep practicing.
I never use pre shave oils or anything. I just use a quality soap (creams I've found less than optimal for protection) like Mike's or D.R. Harris and an aftershave balm after rinsing with cool/tepid water. I never use Alum because it irritates my skin, which is fine because I don't even have to think about whether or not the stuff about it causing Alzheimer's is true, but I also haven't needed any form of styptic because at this point I get nicked less with a straight than with anything else. This is all just me, though, so use whatever helps you. Just know that the answer isn't that you NEED more products, they just might help. Just keep practicing!
I never use pre shave oils or anything. I just use a quality soap (creams I've found less than optimal for protection) like Mike's or D.R. Harris and an aftershave balm after rinsing with cool/tepid water. I never use Alum because it irritates my skin, which is fine because I don't even have to think about whether or not the stuff about it causing Alzheimer's is true, but I also haven't needed any form of styptic because at this point I get nicked less with a straight than with anything else. This is all just me, though, so use whatever helps you. Just know that the answer isn't that you NEED more products, they just might help. Just keep practicing!
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