Ow ow f**k f**k ow!

It's certainly not easy...

I've been straight shaving for a year now, and cut my bottom lip open this morning trying to avoid the spot on my top lip.

Wasnt that big a cut... lots of blood though. Great shave otherwise :rolleyes:
 
Ive only been de shaving since the summer and its got a lot better took a couple off month's for my skin to get used to it sick with it dont try for 3 passes I only do 2 then a 3rd around my chin area works for me
 
Well, I had my second attempt this afternoon. I bought some Porarso sensitive cream and after shave balm yesterday, which arrived today. Some things I've learned:

1) I'm never using Friendly Shaving soap again. Don't get me wrong, their other soaps are fantastic, but the shaving bar just doesn't cut it. The Porarso cream was brilliant. The lather was quick and easy and very long lasting.

2) The after shave balm helps a bit, but only marginally. I'm still sore and the balm stung when applied - although it's ‘sensitive'! (Might be the cuts...) :eek:

3) Derby blades are far more forgiving than the Merkur blades.

4) We need a bathroom mirror that doesn't steam up quite so easily... :mad:

5) I have absolutely no idea whatsoever as to what 30 degrees is around my neck!

I'm able to shave my cheeks with no nicks, soreness or burn. Still not yet as close as my Braun 3040s. I'm finding de smooth if I stroke down, but rough up.

On my neck and chin I just can't get it smooth at all. The worst part is the exact same location as my original photos. Nowhere near as bad as my first time, but I still nicked myself a little and it's bloody sore :(

Does anyone else find that particular area (see original photos) really difficult?
 
alanshenton said:
4) We need a bathroom mirror that doesn't steam up quite so easily... :mad:

5) I have absolutely no idea whatsoever as to what 30 degrees is around my neck!

I'm able to shave my cheeks with no nicks, soreness or burn. Still not yet as close as my Braun 3040s. I'm finding de smooth if I stroke down, but rough up.

On my neck and chin I just can't get it smooth at all. The worst part is the exact same location as my original photos. Nowhere near as bad as my first time, but I still nicked myself a little and it's bloody sore :(

Does anyone else find that particular area (see original photos) really difficult?
Click to expand...

I have to agree a decent mirror does go a long way. I remember someone suggesting cleaning the mirror with shaving cream to prevent steaming. I guess they mean apply and then buff off. Not so much an issue here though as I just leave the door open and hey voila no issue.

As to the 30 degree angle, as a newbie I think the best advise I can give is don't get too tied up with trying to get a perfect shaving angle. With a new razor I usually start with the razor flat to my face (handle at 90 degrees outwards) and slowly adjust the angle until I can feel it doing its job. Take it easy and take it lightly. You'll soon know when it is right. Once the perfect angle is found after a few shaves it becomes almost second nature to go straight to the correct angle. Not all razors are 30 degrees, but it is just a case of finding the optimum angle.

At the moment I'd stick with just the down stroke you mention being as you feel comfortable with it. This is what folk refer to as 'With the grain' or WTG. I'd forget about against (ATG) and across (XTG) for the time being until you become more confident with your razor. This is why I mentioned learn your face and which direction your facial hair actually does grow. Not all facial hair grows the same direction and going against the general growth can be uncomfortable and lead to irritation, redness, nicks, cuts and whatever else.

I also find my chin and neck to be the most difficult areas but being as I know that; I simply take more care and use much shorter strokes. Stretching ones skin in those areas certainly does go a long way.

A splash after a shave with Witch Hazel (Boots the chemist about £2 a bottle) can work wonders to help calm things down. After this a good rinse with some cold water and a pat dry with a towel (don't rub dry) and your skin will feel so much better for it. I am sure if you read through the post shave section you'll soon find plenty of recommendations for an after shave balm. Aloe Vera seems very much favoured, but they are a very personal thing in general and different balms work well with different skin types. I have my favourites which work for me.

I very rarely use cartridges any more and in general I feel DE has made my skin feel so much better and so less prone to irritation. When I do I stick with much the same principles as using a DE.

Time and patience. You'll get there. I guess most of us must of thought 'sod this game' when starting out after years of cartridges.
 
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As a relative newbie, here's how i go about a shave.

Hot wet flannel on the face, then lather up.

Edwin Jagger DE89 with Feather blade, changed weekly.

One pass up the face, re lather, one pass across, from the ears to the chin.

Final lather before the downward pass.

The most important thing is the lightness of touch. Grip the razor lighter than you would hold a pencil, more like holding a cigar. Let the razor do the work, you just guide it.

Sent from my neocore_E1R1 using Tapatalk
 
I shave every other day and thats helped my face calm down between shaves and I get a closer shave too
When I started de shaving in the summer id been using a electric razor for 20 years with the odd go but always ended up badly cut anyway this summer thought give it another try watched YouTube shaving videos and yes face was sore did two passes wasnt as close as the electric at first but as time as gone on it gets better no sore face still nick my chin always when were off out somewhere lol took around a month for my face to get used to it just finished my first tub off porraso red too take your time and no pressure just keep telling your self as you shave if you miss bits leave them untill you shave next time
 
buster47 said:
I shave every other day and thats helped my face calm down between shaves and I get a closer shave too
When I started de shaving in the summer id been using a electric razor for 20 years with the odd go but always ended up badly cut anyway this summer thought give it another try watched YouTube shaving videos and yes face was sore did two passes wasnt as close as the electric at first but as time as gone on it gets better no sore face still nick my chin always when were off out somewhere lol took around a month for my face to get used to it just finished my first tub off porraso red too take your time and no pressure just keep telling your self as you shave if you miss bits leave them untill you shave next time
Click to expand...

That's an excellent point that I think had not been made yet.
 
Just to let you know in passing I have just received a sample of the new OSP vegan based cream today. I shall try tomorrow night and let you know how I get on. Believe James at OSP will be releasing it around the start of February. If it is anything like the usual OSP standard it will be more than just good.

fancontroller said:
Oh no, Derby blades! Your blade choice can only get better :)
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I have never tried a Derby blade but blades are a right minefield and it takes time to find the ones which work for both yourself and your razor. I find the Polsilver Lodz work in just about every razor I have with great irritation free results. For me it takes an SE razor to better them.

Edit - I have just learnt in fact the final product will be tallow based. Bang goes the vegan theory.
 
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alanshenton said:
Does anyone else find that particular area (see original photos) really difficult?
Click to expand...
The chin is one of the most difficult areas to shave for most so keep working at it. I also have trouble around the collar line so taht needs a bit of J-hooking and blade buffing.
Looks like you are using too much pressure; let the blade do the work and apply it at around 30 degree angle.
 
fancontroller said:
Oh no, Derby blades! Your blade choice can only get better :)
Try Sputnik or something similar.
Hope it gets better - just takes a lot of practice.
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Assuming you are in the UK Alan? -
PM me your address and I will be happy to send you a selection of blades to try.

Derby blades work perfectly for some - Ulysses ( @udrako ) seems to favour them paired with an Edwin Jagger DE89, while others find them harsh and draggy.

It's horses for courses in this game - you'll see 101 recommendations for blades, soaps, creams, balms, razors etc.
It's a matter of trying things out to find what's good for YOUR skin.
 
Are
Morticiaskeeper said:
As a relative newbie, here's how i go about a shave.

Hot wet flannel on the face, then lather up.

Edwin Jagger DE89 with Feather blade, changed weekly.

One pass up the face, re lather, one pass across, from the ears to the chin.

Final lather before the downward pass.

The most important thing is the lightness of touch. Grip the razor lighter than you would hold a pencil, more like holding a cigar. Let the razor do the work, you just guide it.

Sent from my neocore_E1R1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
you are going against the grain on pass 1?
 
buster47 said:
I shave every other day and thats helped my face calm down between shaves and I get a closer shave too
When I started de shaving in the summer id been using a electric razor for 20 years with the odd go but always ended up badly cut anyway this summer thought give it another try watched YouTube shaving videos and yes face was sore did two passes wasnt as close as the electric at first but as time as gone on it gets better no sore face still nick my chin always when were off out somewhere lol took around a month for my face to get used to it just finished my first tub off porraso red too take your time and no pressure just keep telling your self as you shave if you miss bits leave them untill you shave next time
Click to expand...
I always nick my neck area, multiple times today. It's only my second time using DE though so hoping I improve with time and practice. Have you tried a softer blade for the sensitive areas? I was using a feather blade today but might use a milder blade for the neck next time.
 
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