help!

[auramis]

ok so i loaded my merkur 11c with a feather blade since i have very sensitive skin and an extremely coarse beard. i think my lather was good not sure but when i went across the grain even with the lightest touch possible just apply enough pressure to hold the blade near my skin i got a burning sensation. even my first pass which was straight down gave me a bit of razor burn on my upper lip.

do you think i just need more practice or should i just completly ditch the feather blades? cuz my mom bought me like 50 of them lol.

[mark2cars]

Being a relative newbie I am finding that some blades feel better and give me a better shave than others. Right now the Feather is giving me the best shave. Do you have other blades to try ? If so try them and see if there is a difference for you. Also did you do your normal prep? I always shave right after showering so my beard which is also coarse is nice and soft. As alway work on your technique and lather building.
Best of Luck
Mark

[ek.310]

burning sensations with feathers are NORMAL in the beginning..takes about a month or maybe less for yer face to adjust..I changed from Gillette gel to foam..man did I look a bunch of holes poked me in my face..goes away with use and time ;-)

[njpaddy]

I haven't tried my Feathers yet, but I wouldn't consider burning normal for any blade. If it were me, I'd try a less aggressive blade until I was sure it isn't a technique or lather issue, then revisit the Feathers.

[auramis]

well i used to use a parker 96r with a astra blade. it was pretty soft on my skin but didnt get that much of a close shave. might try the astra blade in my 11c gonna give my skin a couple of days to heal tho.

[qfh43]

Hey Auramis!

Is this the first time you have shaved??? I ask this because when I first started way way back (well I am 43) my face was like a pomegrante, so sore and bloody and raw that I thought blimey I'm never ever gonna get used to this!!

Anyhow years later and I'm loving wet shaving far far more and I find that I get a much closer shave!

As I've said before - my advice which is what I do is to shave when in the shower as the steam really opens up the pores and also makes the beard hair stand up from the face - I also help this by washing face with a facial wash Clinique or HeadBlade rinse off and then a scrub (But not everyday) depends on what type of skin yours is, then rinse off and apply oil with hand and then using a badger hair shaving brush apply a creamy shave I use Headblade Head Slick (I shave my head too) not everyday maybe twice a week and then rinse off. Shower the rest of you and then rinse off with warm water all product on face, head and neck - then pour over a mug of VERY cold water to close pores and then dry off and apply a post shave healer such as Headblade Bump treatment as it stops ingrowing hairs or Clinique 's post shave healer!!!

OK I KNOW IT LOOKS LONG WINDED BUT IT REALLY WORKS FOR ME!!!!!!

[auramis]

yea its first time atm im using proraso liquid cream which works ok for me i guess. also using tobs avocado shave cream and about to buy a best badger brush.

so im guessing its normal to have a bit of burning sensation with a feather blade at the begining?

[Rockytop]

I would lean toward more practice. The Feathers are a great blade, so don't give up on them. So many variables come into getting good shaves. Try only changing one variable at a time. Use the same prep, soap or cream, razor, everything to evaluate each blade. The burning could be from the soap itself, I know some set me on fire.

There is a lot of trial and error in this sport.

Hope this helps.

[auramis]

I would lean toward more practice. The Feathers are a great blade, so don't give up on them. So many variables come into getting good shaves. Try only changing one variable at a time. Use the same prep, soap or cream, razor, everything to evaluate each blade. The burning could be from the soap itself, I know some set me on fire.

There is a lot of trial and error in this sport.

Hope this helps.

i used the same shave cream when i used the parker 96r with astra blades. i used merkur blades with a parker and it tore me up good lol. ill shave a couple more times with a feather just to see if it gets better. thx for all the tips guys.

[winkydink]

When I bought my 8 blade sampler from Phil at BullGoose Shaving, Feathers were included in the pack. When I asked Phil what order, as a newbie, I should try the blades, the Feathers were recommended as the last blade I try as those blades are known for being extremely sharp.

I's recommend that you try one of the Sampler packs and start out with some of the least aggressive blades first.

I'm currently using Sharks.

Keep at it and continue to let us know how it goes!

[Luc]

Mmm, if you're not sure for your lather, I would revisit the tutorials and try to make a few bowls before the next shave.

If the lather was bad, the shave will be bad. It won't matter if it's a Feather, Astra or Merkur blade.

The razor blade sample pack is a good idea if you didn't have one.

[StylinLA]

The Feathers are intense. I didn't get a burn, but lots of little nicks and weepers. You might want to try the Astras which a very sharp but a tad less aggressive.

I will revisit Feathers again at some point. I do think the comments above about training your face are probably spot on.