Newbie in Need of Help

[jdkrone]

Hey guys, well, I received all my tools. Straight razor(shave ready from Whippeddog), Men-U brush, Mamabear soap, thayers witch hazel. I have shaved twice now, and my face is smooth sailing for the most part, my angles are good, no cuts...the problem comes when I get to my neck and also my chin a bit. I can't seem to find the proper angle and cutting the whiskers is difficult and feels as though the blade may not be sharp enough(which I know is probably not the case, as it seems to cut the whiskers on my face just fine. It feels like I am ripping the hair out and applying to pressure than necessary. Both times I've had to finish the job with a regular razor, in shame, and laugh at myself a bit at how much more comfortable this makes the job of shaving my neck.

I would really like to keep at it, but I must admit I have began to consider buying a safety razor as it may seem a bit easier for now. However I also don't want to give up this easy. I have no cut myself, but have definitely irritated the area on my neck both times. I'm face lathering and it feels real food, except for when my angle on the blade is too flat and seems to stick to my face.

I'd really appreciate any tips if there is someone out there who has had a similar experience or knows any particular techniques that may make this easier. I've read lots of literature and have been keeping my skin taught but the first excuse that comes to mind is that the razor isn't sharp enough. However, I also believe a poor worker blames his tools, and my skills are perhaps just a bit inadequate still to complete the job with grace and ease.

Thanks in advance for your comments. All of the welcome responses from my first post were greatly appreciated.

Jeff

 

[lordfink]

I tackle the neck with 2 passes:

WTG
I move my head as far as possible as though I am looking upwards at the sky and this stretches out the skin on the neck. (Of course your eyes are still looking at yourself in the mirror!) At that point I adjust the angle of the straight to be 30 - 40 degrees to the plane of the neck... and not 30 - 40 degrees to a vertical line to the ground. Once I do that I find shaving on my neck is a lot easier on a N-S pass.

Right hand for right side of face, Left hand for left side of face.

ATG
Head still looking upwards to stretch out the skin but I hold the straight with a pen like grip and shave S-N. In this instance I use right hand for left side of face, right hand for left side of face.

My recommendation would be to not try and get all the hair in one go but use the beard reduction approach. So 2 to 3 passes should complete the job. I try and keep the pressure as light as possible but still firm enough so that the blade doesn't jump/ skip over the tough hair.

Hope this helps.

 

[noahpictures]

Hey guys, well, I received all my tools. Straight razor(shave ready from Whippeddog), Men-U brush, Mamabear soap, thayers witch hazel. I have shaved twice now, and my face is smooth sailing for the most part, my angles are good, no cuts...the problem comes when I get to my neck and also my chin a bit. I can't seem to find the proper angle and cutting the whiskers is difficult and feels as though the blade may not be sharp enough(which I know is probably not the case, as it seems to cut the whiskers on my face just fine. It feels like I am ripping the hair out and applying to pressure than necessary. Both times I've had to finish the job with a regular razor, in shame, and laugh at myself a bit at how much more comfortable this makes the job of shaving my neck.

I would really like to keep at it, but I must admit I have began to consider buying a safety razor as it may seem a bit easier for now. However I also don't want to give up this easy. I have no cut myself, but have definitely irritated the area on my neck both times. I'm face lathering and it feels real food, except for when my angle on the blade is too flat and seems to stick to my face.

I'd really appreciate any tips if there is someone out there who has had a similar experience or knows any particular techniques that may make this easier. I've read lots of literature and have been keeping my skin taught but the first excuse that comes to mind is that the razor isn't sharp enough. However, I also believe a poor worker blames his tools, and my skills are perhaps just a bit inadequate still to complete the job with grace and ease.

Thanks in advance for your comments. All of the welcome responses from my first post were greatly appreciated.

Jeff

Welcome to B&B Jeff!

Congrats on your first two shaves with a straight razor! The chin and neck are challenging for anyone starting with straight razors. I recommend short efficient strokes while keeping the skin taut. It took about 100 shaves to consistently get comfortable shaves with a straight. Be patient and practice does make perfect

You might want to take a look at our stickies in the Straight Razor sub-forum for information and more feedback.

 

[coachschaller]

Those areas tend to keep a veteran on their toes! Try keeping a low angle, which must always be adjusted - especially on the chin. Try to keep the spine against the skin.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

Congrats on a virtually unscathed shave!!!
Everyone says that it takes 50 to 100 straight shaves before you feel like a pro.
It took me 2 months to get my first presentable shave and 3 months before I got my first DFS.
My first straight shave lasted two passes and I finished up with a DE. I was straight shaving on weekends only for the first three weeks it took too long and I didn't want to get up earlier.
Now that I'm into my 4th month, things are a lot easier, my hand is more confident and I'm fairly happy with my results.
The neck takes some creative angles and you have to sometimes use the first half inch of the blade and sometimes just the heel.
Keep at it and you will improve!!!