Shave still not working

[Poetman]

I've been wet shaving since high-school, DE shaving since two weeks ago. Switching to the cream/brush combo has definitely been an improvement over the can foam. However, I am not getting a smooth shave with my Merkur HD. I am discouraged. After many passes, the cheeks are smooth, but my chin, upper lip, and neck area are not (my neck still suffers from razor burn). I find myself shaving WTG, AcrossTG, other way AcrossTG, then AgainstTG. Yet, I still have stubble. I end up taking out my M3 and cleaning up. Granted, there is not as much damage to my face this way, but something has to give. I know the HD is an improvement from the M3 because I was short on time on Sunday morning, so I shaved with the M3--my face was razor burned and unhappy. This morning, I did 3 passes with the HD then a clean-up with the M3 and much less razor burn.
I know you guys use DE's for the whole shave--what am I doing wrong? Is it even possible to get a BBS with a DE razor?
Thanks for the Help!
PS I'm using the blades that came with the razor. I'm still awaiting Letter K's sample.

[Dennis]

Darren - I think it is pretty common to feel some frustration when you are a fee weeks into it. BBS is surely possible with a DE. How often do I get BBS? No real often to be honest. I can easily get 95% BBS on about every shave, but if I really go for that last 5% I get into trouble with razor burn and irritation. Is the shave you are getting now perfectly passable though to others except you? I still experiment everyday and try something a little different all in the quest of improving my shave - that is what makes is fun in a way. There are some techniques you can use, like blade buffing, that you can see in Mantic's advanced technique video on YouTube. I would sit tight though and not change much until the blade sampler comes in. You will find that different blades can make a huge difference in the shave. Don't forget too about the importance of prep as has been discussed ad naseum here - prep can make or break a shave.

Dennis

[Poetman]

My prep seems solid. I shave right after I shower--not drying my face. I wet my face again, then I microwave a cup of water for a minute to get it pretty hot. I wet my brush with this water, wet my face a third time, then lather. I let the lather sit for two minutes; I rinse with water, and lather again, then shave.
I just want a shave that leaves my face smooth. I want to able to go with and against the grain and feel soft, smooth skin. Am I asking too much?

[ada8356]

BBS from a DE is very possible.

For me, I never get a BBS during the week because 1) it takes me a little longer 2) my face just can't take it.

Hold tight until you get to try some different blades... Derbys are my favorites. I sold a good friend on trying a DE and he was on the verge of giving up until he tried Derbys.

[DirtyDave]

Here is a link to post on B&B that really helped me when I first started shaving with my Merkur HD. I too was getting some irritation, but following Kyle's advice on how to hold the razor at the end really changed that. Switching my grip ended the irritation problem and ironically the shave is closer than I have ever had. My five o'clock shadow turns up around midnight.

The key I think is to apply as little pressure as possible and let the shaving head do the work. Too much pressure equals irritation.

Giving credit where credit is due, I found this link on Leisure Guy's blog.

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4018

[Poetman]

Here is a link to post on B&B that really helped me when I first started shaving with my Merkur HD. I too was getting some irritation, but following Kyle's advice on how to hold the razor at the end really changed that. Switching my grip ended the irritation problem and ironically the shave is closer than I have ever had. My five o'clock shadow turns up around midnight.

The key I think is to apply as little pressure as possible and let the shaving head do the work. Too much pressure equals irritation.

Giving credit where credit is due, I found this link on Leisure Guy's blog.

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4018


I viewed this post before I started the DE school. I hold the HD at the end and am very careful not to apply any pressure, the irritation has improved on my cheeks but is about the same on my neck. The worst part, however, is the shave is not close!

[htownmmm]

I viewed this post before I started the DE school. I hold the HD at the end and am very careful not to apply any pressure, the irritation has improved on my cheeks but is about the same on my neck. The worst part, however, is the shave is not close!

What type of blades are you using in your HD? Also, are you using a soap or cream?


Marty

[DirtyDave]

You mentioned that you are using the blade that came with the Merkur. Now that I think of it, I used the blade that came with HD for two or three days and then replaced with a new Merkur blade from the pack I ordered with the razor. I was having similar problems and chalked it up to the edge taking a beating during shipment. A new blade helped a lot.

Good luck. Hang in there and I am betting you will get what you want sooner rather than later.

[Amyn]

It is common to be frustrated in the first 2-3 weeks of DE shaving.

1. give it time once you find the right blade via LetterK sampler pack things will improve.

2. Your technique will improve with and this will give you a better shave as time passes.

3. Take your time with the shave initially. Know the contours of your face and how the hair grows. Once you are familiar develop a routine of how you want to shave with your DE. i.e. Here is an example of my routine

1st Pass - All N-S Passes. in the following order
a. Sideburns to Cheek Left & Right Side
b. Jaw Line Left and Right
c. Neck
d. Chin
e. Moustache Area

2nd Pass - Across the Grain
a. Sideburns to Cheek Left & Right Side
b. Jaw Line Left and Right
c. Neck
d. Chin
e. Moustache Area

3rd Pass - Against the Grain
a. Sideburns to Cheek Left & Right Side
b. Jaw Line Left and Right
c. Neck
d. Chin
e. Moustache Area

4th Pass - Touch up trouble spots..

............and I am done.

Hope that helps..

[chop-chop]

Hang in there, Poetman!

As has already been mentioned, a different blade can really help. Just as not all razors were created equal, neither are the blades.

Dennis02 laid it on the line... every day is going to be different. Acceptable vs. BBS is very realistic. My DE shaves have been totally acceptable to me, and more importantly.... I am enjoying shaving! :biggrin: That is half of the battle! :wink:

Look for posts where the discussion centers around people that tend to have the same beard-type as you. I have semi-sensitive skin, and a fairly light beard. When I was 22, it took me 3 months to grow an acceptable mustache. From that perspective, I know that a "classic" razor design will work just fine for my needs... and, chances are, most standard blades will work fine, too. I've also read the reviews/descriptions of which soaps or creams work best for my skin-type.

Just my $.02

chop-chop

[BD1970]

Poetman,

I'm guessing you have a Merkur blade since that's what kind of razor you have...IMO...there are alot better blades out there. Merkur blades are kinda harsh on my face & that may be what is causing some of your issues. I like Derby's over anything else but YMMV.

[vespergo]

you might be letting your face get too dry, since you're microwaving the water then you're walking out of the bathroom presumably. warm tap water should suffice (in fact cold or barely lukewarm water works ok). in this place i'm living now i have 7 minutes of hot water then it goes to barely lukewarm, so by the time i get to my shave i'm not enjoying the really warm ater that i was used to. but that's okay because now i realize that all that hot water was drying my face up. now that i keep the water not so warm then my face isn't as dried out at the end, leaving me with a better face at the end of the shave. so it's not necessary to have such hot water from the microwave.

just get out of the shower and start the prep of soaking the brush for 40 seconds or so. i find that pumping the brush up and down in the water accelerates getting the water to absorb into the brush. then start making the lather. then spend a couple minutes applying it to the face.

since i switched to proraso, i can more easily tell when i've lathered it on my face for long enough. it's a very interesting way believe it or not.. when applying proraso it's a cooling effect for the first couple of minutes, then around two minutes it starts to get pretty warm to the face and then i know i've massaged it in enough. then i just paint a thick layer on and go from there.

[doctorsimon]

Be patient. It takes a while to get a good close shave. BBS shaves may lead to irritation and ingrowing hairs. Especially if you are BBS immediately post shave (remember your beard will be wet and as it dries the hairs will shrink back.)

Try different blades, try keeping things wet, hot tap water should do, experiment with soaps, creams, oils, etc. You'll get there. I will too one day. If I'm not impressed with my shave I try to remember what my face felt like post sensor/mach3 shave -- a lot rougher.

[Poetman]

What type of blades are you using in your HD? Also, are you using a soap or cream?


Marty

I am using the HD blade that came with the Merkur razor. I'm waiting on Letter K's pack. I REALLY appreciate the feedback from everyone. It's really helpful to get that support!

It's possible I am drying my face, as the water does dry off a bit from the shower, to the kitchen, back to the bathroom. I keep re-wetting my face, however.

What I can't understand is the difference between the M3 and the HD. The former gave me the smoothest shave, but it felt like my hairs were being pulled, and I was left with bad razor burn. The HD feels like only a marginal improvement: a little less razor burn, but not a smooth shave. So, in some way, it feels as if there is no gain. Sure, I don't have the irritation, but I'm also not shaving! The logic is faulty: don't shave and you won't get razor burn. Well, this is true, but I need to shave. My beard is VERY rough! I mean it hurts. When I have a day old stubble, and I rub my face against my forearm, it feels like sandpaper. It is ROUGH! Whereas my father can get 4 smooth shaves with gillette disposables, I can only get 2, maybe 3, with an M3. Perhaps, I've shaved too much with the HD?

I'm using Proraso, C&E sweet almond and nomad, all in cream form. I finish with proraso after shave balm. Should I get witch hazel?

[Scorpio]

With coarser stubble a hot towel on your face along with the lather might be of help to soften the beard. Also you are going to need a much sharper blade than a Merkur. Get very familiar with the direction your facial hair grows this is important especially in the neck area. This way you can determine which way is with, across and against the grain. Reduce the amount of passes to maybe 2 to 3 and yes it is absolutely possible to get BBS shaves it just takes time. Lastly watch your pressure around the neck area, let the weight of the razor do the work hence the need for a much sharper blade. Hope this helps.

Raf