I started my DE shaving about 2 months ago and I enjoy it more all the time. When I started I was very worried about getting cuts or "weepers" so I bought the clubman styptic pencil and went slow the first couple nights. I know technique is important but I was a bit surprised it only takes a couple shaves to get the angle right.
After 2 months I'm much more aggressive with my shaves and don't really worry about angle or technique much but I still haven't gotten a single nick/cut/weeper since I've started
I've gotten irritation now and then as I learned to lather correctly and not to put to much pressure on the razor but that mainly resulted in some red skin for an hr or so and a bit more burn from the AS.
I'm not saying anything against someone who has gotten cut and I fully expect to get a nick in the near future but I wanted to get feedback on what people think is causing cuts and irritating with newbies like me?
Here are my thoughts on what each type of cut is, their cause and questions I have. Let me know what you think:
Cut - a longer cut in the skin. I can only assume this is caused by accidentally making the razor head move horizontally?
Nick - a shorter cut in the skin. This is pretty much the same as a "cut" and caused the same way isn't it just shorter. Possible caused by the outer edge of the blade?
Weeper - removing a small section of skin. I assume this is done by the blade angle being wrong or to aggressive?
The technique errors that I assume cause those are easy to correct with some practice and patience but could other things be a factor in causing cuts like these?:
Lather - If the lather is to dry or to thin I assume it can cause dragging of the blade by not being lubricating enough and make errors much easier to happen?
Hair type - Can a person with thicker wiry hair push to hard trying to get everything cut in the normal amount of passes where they might need more?
Skin type - Do certain people just have thinner skin that is easier to cut? I assume bump, moles and things like strong jaws have to be taken into account. I know my jaw was hard to figure out since it's on the strong side.
Blade - Can a sharper blade be a good or a bad thing? I assume it's a very personal thing that depends on a person skin type. A dull blade will cause people to push more or demand extra passes while a very sharp blade might just cut someone with poor technique or soft skin?
Razor - I assume a razor is just as personal to skin type as a blade is. Someone like me might get great shaves out of their Tech or NEW razors while other might require a much more aggressive or adjustable razor. Could a cause of irritation or cuts be because people start of with a much more aggressive razor than is right for them instead of getting a mild razor and moving up?
Prep - I shower before shaving but that's it for my prep. I assume other people benefit from hot towels or oils prior to shaving. If someone puts lather on a dry face I would think that could greatly effect their shave.
Passes - I figure 1 pass is when you put lather on and shave it all off. I average 2 passed on my cheeks & jaw with 3 passes on my chin & neck. I don't think there is a magic number of passes. It probably depends on hair type and what razor/blade combo you're using. Someone might push to hard to try and get it done in 2 passes while their skin or lather might make doing 3 or more passes irritating. Again trial & error.
I can see any of these or a combination of multiple ones being a large portion of the reason people are having bad shaves or nicks. I would hate to think that someone is trying to change their shaving technique over and over or worrying if their blade is at exactly 30 degrees when their problem is actually caused by something else.
I can see why owning multiple razors, blades & soaps can be very important in finding what works best for you since the razor and soap you liked and wanted to start with might not like you. I can also see the value of not jumping around with product to much until your technique is solid, though it shouldn't take to long to realize if your problem is your technique or gear.
I'd love to get other peoples thoughts on or additions to this list!
After 2 months I'm much more aggressive with my shaves and don't really worry about angle or technique much but I still haven't gotten a single nick/cut/weeper since I've started
I've gotten irritation now and then as I learned to lather correctly and not to put to much pressure on the razor but that mainly resulted in some red skin for an hr or so and a bit more burn from the AS.
I'm not saying anything against someone who has gotten cut and I fully expect to get a nick in the near future but I wanted to get feedback on what people think is causing cuts and irritating with newbies like me?
Here are my thoughts on what each type of cut is, their cause and questions I have. Let me know what you think:
Cut - a longer cut in the skin. I can only assume this is caused by accidentally making the razor head move horizontally?
Nick - a shorter cut in the skin. This is pretty much the same as a "cut" and caused the same way isn't it just shorter. Possible caused by the outer edge of the blade?
Weeper - removing a small section of skin. I assume this is done by the blade angle being wrong or to aggressive?
The technique errors that I assume cause those are easy to correct with some practice and patience but could other things be a factor in causing cuts like these?:
Lather - If the lather is to dry or to thin I assume it can cause dragging of the blade by not being lubricating enough and make errors much easier to happen?
Hair type - Can a person with thicker wiry hair push to hard trying to get everything cut in the normal amount of passes where they might need more?
Skin type - Do certain people just have thinner skin that is easier to cut? I assume bump, moles and things like strong jaws have to be taken into account. I know my jaw was hard to figure out since it's on the strong side.
Blade - Can a sharper blade be a good or a bad thing? I assume it's a very personal thing that depends on a person skin type. A dull blade will cause people to push more or demand extra passes while a very sharp blade might just cut someone with poor technique or soft skin?
Razor - I assume a razor is just as personal to skin type as a blade is. Someone like me might get great shaves out of their Tech or NEW razors while other might require a much more aggressive or adjustable razor. Could a cause of irritation or cuts be because people start of with a much more aggressive razor than is right for them instead of getting a mild razor and moving up?
Prep - I shower before shaving but that's it for my prep. I assume other people benefit from hot towels or oils prior to shaving. If someone puts lather on a dry face I would think that could greatly effect their shave.
Passes - I figure 1 pass is when you put lather on and shave it all off. I average 2 passed on my cheeks & jaw with 3 passes on my chin & neck. I don't think there is a magic number of passes. It probably depends on hair type and what razor/blade combo you're using. Someone might push to hard to try and get it done in 2 passes while their skin or lather might make doing 3 or more passes irritating. Again trial & error.
I can see any of these or a combination of multiple ones being a large portion of the reason people are having bad shaves or nicks. I would hate to think that someone is trying to change their shaving technique over and over or worrying if their blade is at exactly 30 degrees when their problem is actually caused by something else.
I can see why owning multiple razors, blades & soaps can be very important in finding what works best for you since the razor and soap you liked and wanted to start with might not like you. I can also see the value of not jumping around with product to much until your technique is solid, though it shouldn't take to long to realize if your problem is your technique or gear.
I'd love to get other peoples thoughts on or additions to this list!
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