Nothing I do gets a clean shave

[Old Hippie]

Offering this as another data point...

Right after I shave is the absolute worst time to feel for remaining stubble. Oh, for sure I'll feel and go after the places that were not completely shaved, but often I can get "a little close to the bone" in some spots and still have stubble right after the shave.

The secret, for me anyway, is to use a good after-shave balm. I use Nivea Men Sensitive, or as I often say, "Sensitive Men." About an hour after the shave my skin's all hydrated and it feels quite nice.

Now let's get off the beaten track just a little. Again, I'm offering this as my observation and it may not apply to you. I heard for years from the straight-razor afficianadi that they got the smoothest shaves with a naked edge. I've had razors both mild and aggressive -- I tend to fall somewhere in the medium aggressive range. But I've only lately tried on the naked edge shave with a Gem-format razor that has no comb or bar.

That's a fairly recent thing for me, though I've been using shavettes and a devette for years. It wasn't until I got the right thing (SlimGem Mantis SE) that I got such stellar results. Prior to this I had considered my adjustable slant Rex Konsul to be the "doctor" razor because I could shave smooth even on damaged skin with it.

Prep plays a role, too. I don't do the full hot towel thing as my skin gets really sensitive from the heat. But a good slick lather, slightly runny but not watery, applied with a nice scrubby boar brush seems to work for me. Stick with it, try new things occasionally, read obsessively and you'll find those things that work for you.

O.H.

 

[Jay21]

Welcome to B&B!

I had all kinds of issues when I first started with DE razors, but I worked through it and learned along the way. This is a guide I put together to describe what I learned, and maybe it will help you.

Jay's Easy Cartridge to DE Guide for Noobs

For many people, the transition from cartridges to DE wet shaving is easy. However, for others, like me, it was required a steeper learning curve. I decided to share the method that worked very well for me. I understand that this is very much a YMMV lifestyle. What worked for me may not work for...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[Eben Stone]

You didn't mention how much skin stretching you are doing.

 

[sandstorm99]

All great advice here. I also found that by not solely focusing on BBS and instead enjoying a good, irritation-free shave worked wonders in improving technique, which eventually led to BBS.

 

[Bungo Pete]

RE: "so found that by not solely focusing on BBS and instead enjoying a good, irritation-free shave worked wonders in improving technique..."

Very true IMHO. I've found that by focusing on technique and living with the result means that the next day's shave will be better. If you keep trying to achieve BBS all at once you will only draw blood. FWIW, this is what works for me.

Equipment:
Daily Driver: 1975 Gillette 109 Adjustable (setting 5)
Blade: Treet Platinum Super Stainless (not terribly aggressive, but they work for me)
Soap: Poraso White jar (sensitive skin)
Pre-shave: Poraso Refreshing (green cover)
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar T2
Bowl: Timeless Razor
Aftershave: Nivea moisturizing

I soak the brush in warm water while showering. After my shower, I splash some additional water on my face and apply the preshave oil. Then I make lather. My technique is to use the brush in a circular exfoliating motion to initially cover my beard and then paint on additional lather. First pass with the grain (top to bottom). Repeat after rinsing and second pass against the grain. For the third pass, I only do my neck and put on as much lather as possible, even squeezing the brush at the end. Then I go about 45 degrees against the grain with absolutely no pressure. Rinse with warm and then very cold water. Dry and apply the Nivea. I change blades after 3 shaves. At, 8 cents each, why not.

I can't say that I achieve a BBS shave very often, but after some practice, I get a DFS every day, with perhaps a few microcuts now and again. Hope this helps.

 

[Manye]

I have been losing my mind recently and don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I have never been able to get a clean shave in the ~2 years I’ve been shaving. I started with a cartridge razor, and wasn’t getting a clean shave. I read that safety razors give a cleaner shave, so I got a nice henson razor and after getting used to using it I still cannot get a clean shave.

No matter what I do there is always visible stubble. I have tried doing multiple passes, a second pass against the grain, lathering super hard. No dice. Even if I feel my skin and it feels completely smooth no matter which direction I rub in I can still feel stubble.

I always shave immediately after showering and use the blue edge sensitive skin shave gel. The blades are the ones that came with the razor. My facial hair is thick but not dense. Please advise.

Joe, try a straight razor. Very close and very comfortable for me. Better shave than a DE by far. Takes a while to get the hang of it, but is worth it. Lots of great advice here. Wish I had taken it up sooner.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Joe, try a straight razor. Very close and very comfortable for me. Better shave than a DE by far. Takes a while to get the hang of it, but is worth it. Lots of great advice here. Wish I had taken it up sooner.

Nothing wrong with straight razors, and skin stretching assuming you don't overdo it, but they can't overcome a beard which can be seen but can't be felt. BBS is defined by feel. Plenty of gentlemen have the Don Draper look no matter how close to a perfect BBS they get. No blade shaves below the skin, and, if it did, that would result in ingrown hairs I think.

It can take a pretty long time for some of us to achieve consistently excellent shaves. That said, my goal is always, first and foremost, a Damn Comfortable Shave. Truly close shaves come along in time, for most of us, but they're on their own timetable instead of ours.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Filudo]

It’s cannot feel but can see. Is there seriously nothing that can be done? I hate it so much, I feel like it makes me look sloppy.

Well, then there is laser treatment$....that might fix your optical problem....

If you don't feel stubble but see a shadow.... you will not be able to shave any closer with any razor system. Multiple blade carts do pull out then cut....that might be the closest to the follicle you get.

Dense and coarse beards show.