Razor is not "gliding"

[bennyblade28]

I had my second ever DE shave today and the result was better than my first attempt. At least I have less irritation this time.

I use an Edwin Jagger DE89, currently with a Derby blade and TOBS Sandalwood cream mixed with a pure badger brush.

My razor does not seem to be gliding over my face, especially in certain places. It seems a little "choppy" like theres resistance in some places, friction between the blade and the skin.

My lather is probably terrible, I have read all the tutorials, watched the videos etc... so I guess its just practice.


Do you think I should possibly try another blade next time? I have quite a few to choose from.

 

[DavidP]

My guess is that your lather isn't slick enough. Does it feel pasty when applying it?

 

[MilesTeg]

Blade angle could be a factor. Too early to tell (until technique becomes consistently sound and ruled out), but blade choice will eventually be something to consider.

 

[dundak]

Dip the tips of your brush in water and work your lather a little more. Sound like it is to dry.

 

[prsman23]

I wouldn't start changing blades around until you are positive it's your technique. It's been around a month for me and i'm just starting to really get my lathering down to that "perfect" level. I'd just be patient, work on getting things down, then start adjusting variables. It's easy to get caught up thinking "if I just change this...".

 

[Dusty1]

Dip the tips of your brush in water and work your lather a little more. Sound like it is to dry.

+1

 

[Doc226]

Personally I hate Derby blades, that is most definitely a YMMV thing. I would first guess lather, second blade.

 

[NickyBobby]

Sounds like the lather isn't slick enough. +1 on the just add water.

 

[GencoOliveOilCompany]

I had the same problem when I first started wetshaving. No matter how wonderful the lather, no matter how light the pressure, I could feel tugging/resistance. Here's what solved the problem...putting on a pre-shave treatment before lathering. Proraso pre-shave is the bomb...green or white jar doesn't matter. They are both awesome. I also like John Allan's Slick Water pre-shave. These preparations will greatly improve the quality and comfort of your shaves.

One more thing. You are starting out with some solid gear; but I'm not crazy about Derby blades--I'll use them in a pinch, but I prefer the Gillette 7 O'Clock line-up--yellow, blue, black, green are all excellent.

 

[Hogwash]

Strange, last night I had my second shave with my DE89, a Derby blade, and TOBS Sandalwood cream.

Perhaps keep the same blade but try a wetter lather as others have recommended. The blade could be a dud or just not your type, but I'd keep going with the Derbys because you don't want to change too many variables at a time, especially when your technique is going to be changing as you start out.

 

[vegaskid74]

I agree with others that you don't want to mess with too many variables at once, but for what it's worth, there's only one blade I've sworn never to use again for the rest of my life, and that is the Derby.

 

[Go West Young Man]

After only 2 shaves, you're still doing EVERYTHING wrong.
But be patient, focus on small improvements every day, it'll come in time. The learning curve is months long, don't worry if you hit a few bumps early on!

 

[saintpat]

I'm not a fan of the Derby blade either, and I wouldn't advise a newbie to use one until their technique is solid. So put me down for chucking the blade. I say this as a relative noob (6 months) myself. As always, YMMV.

For what it's worth my favorite blades are Astra SP which a lot of folks here seem to prefer. I also like the Greek BIC Platinums and the Crystal SP. Feathers are great but I would again wait for technique to improve some before trying.

Good luck and enjoy your shaves!

 

[Rjacklin]

I have been DE shaving for about 4 months now daily. When I began I had the same problem. I have used Derby, Feather, Astra SP's (my favorite), Personna's, etc. I realized after I figured out what I was doing that very rarely it was the actual blade that was causing the tugging and pulling issue. Face Prep is very important and making sure that you shave after a hot shower or hot steam towel helped me. Make sure that you leave the cream on your face for about a minute before shaving to soften the hair up. After that dip your brush again in water and paint the lather. The softer the hair is (I even put conditioner on my face when I shower since I have such a thick coarse beard) the easier that razor will glide. This should help you out hopefully. Good luck!

 

[LarryDarrell]

I've been DE shaving a couple of months and use the same razor/blade combo.
I get that feeling too and it is my lather that's the problem, I'm still not consistent at forming it. Is the lather drying on your face? does it have large bubbles?

At this stage I'd say don't be stingy with the product - even if you end up with enough for 4 shaves and lather up to your elbows - and keep working it and adding water a bit at a time until it looks like it does in the videos.

I switched blades a lot at first, but now I'm minimizing the variables and focusing good technique.

 

[Kostas1]

EJ DE89, Derby, TOBS SW was what I started with. Not the best blades in the world, but should work for most. Definitely focus on the lather (I like it creamy, with bubbles so small I can't tell there are bubbles). Also focus on angle and pressure. If you're angle is off, you'll end up applying more pressure. Should only be using enough to keep it on your face.

Good Luck!

 

[Slash McCoy]

It sounds like too steep an angle. Start with the head of the razor against your face and the handle sticking straight out. Now rotate the handle toward your face until the blade just barely touches the face. Try a few strokes. With too steep an angle, the blade just skips and chatters over your face, sometimes digging in, sometimes skipping over.

 

[jamesspo]

+1, too steep of an angle, most likely. But as others have said, prep and lather is important too. Make that lather nice and juicy wet - slickness (and general hydration) is the most important factor, by far.

It sounds like too steep an angle. Start with the head of the razor against your face and the handle sticking straight out. Now rotate the handle toward your face until the blade just barely touches the face. Try a few strokes. With too steep an angle, the blade just skips and chatters over your face, sometimes digging in, sometimes skipping over.

 

[kingfisher]

It sounds like too steep an angle. Start with the head of the razor against your face and the handle sticking straight out. Now rotate the handle toward your face until the blade just barely touches the face. Try a few strokes. With too steep an angle, the blade just skips and chatters over your face, sometimes digging in, sometimes skipping over.

+1.

 

[elsmooth]

Personally I hate Derby blades, that is most definitely a YMMV thing. I would first guess lather, second blade.

A big +1. I'm a junkie for Feather Blades, personally. I build a pretty consistent lather, and the few times over the last couple of months I've tried a different blade for variety, it's skip city.