more newb questions, etc

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waynejitsu

Joined
Oct 1, 2002
Messages
1,167
I just started using a DE (after 30+ years of electric and cartridge razors)-

What causes razor burn?

How do you prevent it?

Where are these bumps coming from, never had that happen before?

Can someone post a "list" of DE shaving items?
Like- DE razor
DE blades
brush
stand all kinds of creams, lotions and potions.
etc, etc
What is actually needed. Sensitive skin if that helps...

There is shaving cream, soap, gel, etc.
After, before during???
The disposables were faster and easier, but I am not one to give up..., (just need some more pointers:)

Thanks guy's, you all have been real helpful!!
 
I'll do my best to share what I know, and what I think:
razor burn is irritation to the skin, caused by removing too much of the top layer of skin.
Prevention: Good prep, which makes shaving easier so you do fewer passes with less pressure. Make good lather, let it sit on your face after showering or hot toweling your face for a couple minutes. good lather does take some practice. Also keep the lather wet, no shame in going back and adding more, if your skin is dry, your shave will be bad.

Also good technique, such as a light touch, proper angle, and knowing when is enough. I find that I only get burn when I'm using a dull blade, or going after that "baby butt smooth" feeling.
Different people get bumps from different things, but I suspect that yours are from the irritation, maybe try shaving every other day for a while so your skin can heal up?

My DE shave kit
1936(ish) Gillette Tech three piece open comb
blades, started with Iridium, and Bic yellow box, Now mostly Feathers. Derby and Astra also worked well for me, but not quite as good for me (2% difference maybe I liked the box color better who knows.) Just stay away from the feathers until all your other shaving problems are solved.

Badger brush, (this is a luxury, any brush will work, just not a nice)

Soap, I use either Mitchell's Wool Fat soap, Straight Razor Designs Soap, or Speik. I have also used williams mug soap, and it does the job. You want to use either a shaving soap or shaving cream (from a tub, or tube, no aerosols or "gel")
Aftershave. during dry weather (winter) I use a mix of aloe-vera gel and witch hazel, although even just the aloe is fine. during summer I use just Thayer's Superhazel. I have no experience with most of the drugstore stuff like Nivea but some guys love it. I've also heard good things about trumper's skin food.

Simpler is better, change one thing at a time, and go slow, you'll get there.
finally a question or two, when you shave, do you feel the blade pull and tug the hair, do you feel the blade "scrape" on your face? How many times do you shave any given spot on your face/neck, and do you rinse/re-lather between?
hope this helps
 
Thanks:)

Yeah, I was going for super smooth. Is it me or do the DE's not shave as close?

"finally a question or two, when you shave, do you feel the blade pull and tug the hair,"
Yes

"do you feel the blade "scrape" on your face?"
Yes

"How many times do you shave any given spot on your face/neck,"
Several, especially the hard to get areas, chin, neck, under nose, they all get more passes. Also, my last pass or two is up, or, against the grain. It always worked before to get super smooth.

"and do you rinse/re-lather between?"
Just relather as needed, between "passes".

Thanks for the help..., who would have guessed there was so much to this. If I didn't but the stuff, I would go back to the cartridges, this is quite time consuming, but, I do want to learn it..., I am not much for quitting something I started, LOL!!

Thanks again!
hope this helps
 
The problem is that DE's shave closer! go gentler for a while and see how things improve. also I'd nix the against the grain stuff for a while, I find it very irritating even with good blades and prep most of the time.
You'll get there!
 
It is most important to get your technique down before going for the BBS shave, and as mentioned the most important things are, prep, angle, and no pressure. It is also important to try different blade in your razor when you are first starting to find the one that works for you. If I had just jumped in and tried what everyone else had be calling the best blade, I would have given up long ago or had no face left. While Derby and Feather seem to be everyone's go to blade I can't use them because they rip my face up.

Stick with it and you will get the most enjoyable shave you can get outside of a barber shop, it will always take a bit longer to shave with a DE, but that few extra minutes a day are worth it, I set aside at least 30 minutes a day for my shave, but I do it in the evening so I don't have to rush. I also find that I get close enough with the DE that I don't need to shave for 24 hours
 
Thanks guys...,
Seems I am still learning and doing stuff wrong.
I am usually in a bit of a hurry too.
I would never believed how different DE shaving is..., it's not like it is my first time "ever" shaving, but it may as well be, LOL!
I "think" angle is pretty good, my prep needs work, etc.
 
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