On the neck...

[tokane929]

Been method shaving for about 3 months now. Can't ever see myself going back to traditional wetshaving or especially mainstream/electric shaving. While I've experienced by far the best shaves with MS, I'm still experiencing some redness/irritation and the occasional ingrown hairs on my neck. If I shave every day it gets exponentially worse. I usually have to shave every other day, or if it's been bad, take a few days off.
I switched to feather blades a few weeks ago, what an experience. I had hoped it would fix everything, but not quite.
Blade angle, the new dry environment videos, I have done everything but call Charles, wanted to ask you guys first.

 

[Friskyseal]

What other blades have you tried besides Feathers?

 

[tokane929]

started with merkurs, i'll never go back
then went to Derby's. Definitely good to practice with, the feather's definitely shave much more smoothly. Had a few bleeders at first, but I think I've gotten past the transition.

 

[Friskyseal]

I feel like you skipped over some blades you should have tried before going to Feathers.

I don't seem to have any problems with ingrown hairs so I can't offer any suggestion there, but the skin on your neck is more sensitive than on your face, so you're probably reaching the threshold of what your skin can take.

With method shaving, where you're going over your face many many times with the blade, I don't understand why Feathers are considered optimal, they just take too much out of your skin. They're great for basic two or three-pass shaves, but too harsh, I believe, if you're cutting and cutting and cutting like the way Charles does in his videos. Just because Charles' skin can take it doesn't mean most people can. I don't buy his "soft as a marshmellow" thing--so what if the skin is super soft? If you're running the blade across your face with the intention to cut, it's going to take skin tissue with it, eventually leading to irritation. Maybe it's just that Charles has incredible skill aiming to cut only the hair.

I've had better success using a blade that's sharp, but not as harsh as Feathers. You should look into Red Pack Personnas, Astra Superior Platinums, Iridium Supers, and Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge (Yellows). Personally I like Astra. Of course, YMMV. I think I've learned the hard way that just because I can use Feathers without drawing blood, doesn't mean they're the best blade for me.

 

[tokane929]

actually the irritation is better with the feathers than other blades. It's been improving, I was just looking to get over it altogether. Also, I can't shave as fast as Charles, not by a long shot. I do two (slow) first form passes, a 2nd and a 3rd. I usually don't do a clean up shave because it gets a little too rough on my face.

 

[tsmba]

Thanks for sharing those blade experiences. The available blade options seem endless, but once you find something that works well, stick with it!

 

[Brad]

Look at the angle of the blade and your pressure. You are cutting closer than you are used to. Let the blade do the work.