No satisfaction

[Charlie NJ]

Hello all,
I'm still not there with my set up but came a long way thanks to all the advice I've gotten here. Wetshaving about 3 months I've had great shaves and not so great. My problem area is my chin and to my upper neck. Mapping it ! It grows right to left. The problem is for sometimes I get razor burn. Tired about a dozen blades and I thought I had it pegged. Ive settled on astras and did ok but just bought 100 on eBay. Horrible shave are they that inconsistent ? The feathers are great but not smoothe shaving red meds are ok But not quite any advise would be great
Thanks
set up
ej89l
samouge 1305 and' soc 2 band
proraso soap

 

[ODJ]

The problem I have with my neck, is that along with it being very sensitive, the had also grows in many different directions. This means having to do several passes, and the more passes you do, the more chance you have for causing irritation, and the fact that this area is sensitive for a lot of people makes the risk for irritation even higher. My chin is the second toughest area to shave. Since you are three months in, I am going to say that although finding the right blade and cream or soap can help with reducing irritation, it's most likely due to your technique.

I use Astra blades, and really like them. Also use a 1305 and have a DE89 that I think is an awesome razor.

8 months into this now, I can honestly say that I no longer get any irritation on my neck. I am use VERY careful to use no pressure at all, sometimes just barely dragging the razor against my skin. I also make sure to take very short strokes, and after my first initial pass with the grain, I use more of a very light blade buffing motion, and repeat this in different directions (re-lathering between direction changes). Just REALLY concentrate on being really light with your touch. The DE89 and Astra SP is a great combo, and with some practice you should be getting really good shaves that are irritation free.

Also, use really short strokes on your chin and break it down into segments. don't go from the top of your chin down and underneath it in one stroke. it's tough to follow the contours of your chin with a DE that does not pivot, and you can get irritation this way real fast. Just take your time and be patient.

A good prep also can help. I shave with cold water only, but do take the time to make sure my face is hydrated and wet enough before each shave.

 

[Charlie NJ]

Thanks,
All good advice, it sounds like its me and my lack of experience. Also I was rushed this morning and didn't give it 100 pct.

 

[jb4647]

I'm having the same issues with my neck. To aleviate I'm relather my neck several times so that at no time does the razor touch exposed skin there. Seems to help.

Buffering on the chin really helps.....have to break those habits of that pivoting cartridge head.

 

[theJJ]

It just takes a lot of trial and error--various skin pulling, tugging, pinching, stretching, various approach angles, strokes, etc. I use feathers because they're sharp and consistent. I've only had 2 or 3 bad blades in the last few years. If you think feathers aren't smooth, then maybe you need better prep, or shave oil.

 

[BladeDE40]

Have you tried using preshave oil on your trouble areas? This could help, my neck is also very sensitive and I have found it to be extremely helpful. Some will say it is not needed w/ good prep, but I have found that no matter the prep my neck still gets irritated and the PSO helps alleviate much of that irritation...might be worth a try.

 

[Charlie NJ]

Thanks, I've tried oils and I don't think it helps in that area. I might be pulling too tight when I shave that area

 

[Teabag]

Buffering on the chin really helps.....have to break those habits of that pivoting cartridge head.

As a newbie can you please tell me what buffering is? Tks

 

[Charlie NJ]

It just takes a lot of trial and error--various skin pulling, tugging, pinching, stretching, various approach angles, strokes, etc. I use feathers because they're sharp and consistent. I've only had 2 or 3 bad blades in the last few years. If you think feathers aren't smooth, then maybe you need better prep, or shave oil.

its funny you should say that, I was thinking of loading a feather tomorrow and really work on getting a good shave. They make you better or you will bleed.

 

[pdillon]

It definitely takes time. Over a year in and I'm still learning, getting the occasional razor burn on my neck.

I started doing a new "program" to work on my technique, and I wish I had done it much earlier. I do 3 passes on my face (time permitting), but I have cut down the number of passes on my trouble spots on my neck. At the beginning, I was just doing 1 pass until I got completely confident in my technique there. If there's any irritation you're just going to make it worse doing another pass. This allowed me to shave every day, which has helped a great deal.

 

[mftoms59]

You might want to pay attention to your Blade Angle & the amount of pressure you're using on the areas you're getting irritation. Go slower with shorter strokes on those areas and I'd also would let my lather sit on my whiskers a couple of minutes before starting to shave.

 

[Charlie NJ]

Have you tried using preshave oil on your trouble areas? This could help, my neck is also very sensitive and I have found it to be extremely helpful. Some will say it is not needed w/ good prep, but I have found that no matter the prep my neck still gets irritated and the PSO helps alleviate much of that irritation...might be worth a try.

Me too, I shave in the shower, nothing seems to soften my beard better. I face lather, really build up a good lather. Use praraso soap green, three passes on the shave. Cold water to finish and some aftershave

 

[prsman23]

I'd also would let my lather sit on my whiskers a couple of minutes before starting to shave.

+ 1 million

This helped a ton. 2 minutes. No if's and's or but's. Let it sit. Can't tell you how much that helps. Seriously.

 

[celestino]

You may need more practice and prep is very important. i would suggest pre-shave soap; lather it on and massage it in well and leave on for a few minutes; rinse, then apply lather and use a better blade, in my opinion.

 

[Anthony_MQ]

8 months into this now, I can honestly say that I no longer get any irritation on my neck. I am use VERY careful to use no pressure at all, sometimes just barely dragging the razor against my skin. I also make sure to take very short strokes, and after my first initial pass with the grain, I use more of a very light blade buffing motion, and repeat this in different directions (re-lathering between direction changes). Just REALLY concentrate on being really light with your touch.

Excellent and concise description that mirrors my struggles. At first, I thought it was going to be impossible to achieve anything but a mediocre shave on my neck. Experience, a delicate touch and understanding of hair growth (direction) changed all of that. Very slick lathering products also helped.