A couple months ago I got fed up with paying for disposable blade modules. I bought myself a nice Merkur Progress Long Handle. The first shave was great. Every one since then has been horrible. Even with the blade set to the lowest setting I keep cutting myself and getting razor burn.
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Why do I always cut myself?
- Thread starter BigDude
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2005
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- 1,152
How is your prep?
Take your time--apply no pressure.
Try a different blade.
Take your time--apply no pressure.
Try a different blade.
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 503
+1 on those.
Make sure to either take a shower right before, or let the lather soak on your face for a few minutes to soften your beard. Hold the razor like a bird in your hand, not loose enough to drop it, but not tight enough to squeeze it(if it was a bird...) You want the razor to have good contact with your face, but not have any pressure pushing down. No pressure doesn't mean holding the razor so loosely that it skips across your face. Some blades don't work for some people. Merkur blades tear me up.
Also, map your beard and make sure you are actually going WTG on your first pass. When you have some growth, feel your beard in every direction and whichever way you feel the most "scruffyness" is ATG. Go the opposite of that for your first pass, and across that 90 degrees for your second pass.
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- Aug 28, 2009
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Prep is everything in wet shaving, followed closely by no pressure and blade selection. You don't mention what blade you are using or blades you have tried. Since I have discovered what blades work for me I haven't had a nick and barely get even weepers.
David Martin
Moderator
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- Apr 7, 2008
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- 19,520
There is certainly a learning curve to this shaving. Like our long gone Sunday drive in the country, go slow and enjoy the ride. Like these others are saying; change the blade, no tight grip, don't force it. If it won't cut whiskers shaving across the grain on that 2nd pass then the blade isn't sharp enough to shave with. Don't keep scrapping that area. Also, rinse the blade often not allowing cut wiskers to build up clogging the razor and hindering its cutting abilities. Keep trying and let us know how it goes. DM
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
The "No Pressure" mantra is over-done, in my opinion/experience. Obviously, some pressure is necessary to keep the razor on your face. How much? Not much. It's a light touch. But "no" is such an absolute thing that it can become an obcession to the point of distraction. Don't worry so much about it. Just use a light touch and you'll figure it out.
How is your lather? A good lather goes a long way toward a smooth and event-free shave. Maybe use a bit more soap or cream and spend a bit more time and whip up a thicker, richer lather.
How is your lather? A good lather goes a long way toward a smooth and event-free shave. Maybe use a bit more soap or cream and spend a bit more time and whip up a thicker, richer lather.
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
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- 1,755
In my, admittedly brief, experience using very hot water makes easier to get a good lather.
I'll got along with the try other blades concept too. I got a sampler pack...The only times i've nicked myself have been with Feathers.
I can't even feel a fresh Big Ben blade working, the whiskers just mysteriously vanish. This difference blew my mind. I tested sharpness and they were the same. I scrutinized the edges under a lens, couldn't see a difference. But my face sure feels one.