Off to a bad start

[sh00t4par]

I am a long time wet shaver but new to DE shaving and getting horrible results. My old shaving system was a Mach 3 blade, Anthony Logistics shave gel, Anthony Logistics balm, shave in the shower. I used to get really good results with this, very close shave, little to no irritation. You might ask why I switched and the reason is I always wanted to try DE shaving, maybe even straight edge at some point. I also am intrigued by brushes, diff creams and soaps and just the "old fashion" way of shaving. So my first shave was 4 days ago and it was with a Merkur HD, Derby blade (out of my sample pack), L'Occitane Cade soap, L'Occitane Cade ASB, Pennworks silvertip brush. I showered before the shave and decided to shave after the shower at the sink to get a better view in the bathroom mirror. I have watched Mantic's videos on Youtube so I had an idea as what to do. The lather was pretty good for my first time and I did 3 passes. Two WTG and 1 AGT. When I was done I had a really bad burning sensation all over my face even after a cold water splash and applying the balm I also had a lot of red bumps on my cheeks and throat which is very rare for me. The burn lasted for a few hours and was very uncomfortable. I went to splash some cold water on after awhile just to try and soothe it. Today I decided to try again. Same products as the first time but I shaved in the shower with my fog free mirror. I made a very conscience effort to use NO PRESSURE. I did only two passes, 1 WTG and 1 XTG. When I was done I had little to no burning sensation, thank god, but I did have a few red bumps on my throat area. The closeness of the shave is horrible. I mean I have spots that look like I didn't even touch it. I would have gone for another pass but decided to quit while I am ahead and try to get it next time. I am really at odds here over what is the issue other than I am new to this which could be the biggest factor. Could it be the soap I am using, the blade, all of it? I am almost tempted to try the Mach 3 with the soap to see if that is the problem. I also have a tube of C.O. Bigelow that I could try and some Tabac I received but unfortunately it arrived with a cracked bowl. It is just hard going from smooth comfortable shaves with the Mach 3 to bad razor burn and patches of hair left on my face. What is the advantage of the DE razor?

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

Mmm, I wouldn't do ATG right away, you need to build up some experience first. Try XTG, it will be easier to do ATG first.

Look at Mantic videos, they will help: http://www.youtube.com/mantic59

[82R100]

First of all, welcome aboard. I'm sorry that such pain accompanies your first post but, then, you should have posted earlier.

I think it very much would make sense to return to the Mach III at first to make sure that you've got the brush/soap/lather thing working well for you. I feel safe in saying that the lather you get from the soap with make or break the shave as a whole. It will also make it easier to troubleshoot as you go along, changing fewer things at a time.

It's vaguely possible that you're sensitive to an ingredient in the soap and by going back to your mainstay razor you'll be better able to figure out if this is true.

As far as the razor experience is concerned, it's possible that you're angling the razor over too much (trying to hold the handle too close to your face) and, in doing so, scraping the blade along the skin instead of skimming along the roots of the whiskers. That, along with the minimum possible pressure should result in an improvement in the experience.

I always got harsh results with the Derby blades, so if you have another brand to try, consider trying that as well, once you've reintroduced the DE razor.

Stick in there. We handle stuff like this every day and you won't get anyone nagging you to use the Search function. Mostly because our search function doesn't work so well.

- Chris

[Gruder]

Welcome! Congrats on having the first one behind you, anyway. Some possible issues: bad lather, improper razor assembly, bad angle. My bet is on a combination of options one and three. Keep at it, and keep us posted. We'll get you through!

[moonshine44]

Going ATG your first time was a brave thing to do, but from your results on your second shave probably not a good thing to do. As for the lack of cutting, it's quite possible that is a blade angle issue...

Oh yeah: Welcome! hang in there and keep asking questions, it's bound to get better...

[mblakele]

Welcome!

The advantages of the DE show up as you learn the technique. Pay attention to your blade angle and pressure: it sounds like the problem was with one or both of those. Have you read this post on blade angle?

[rickboone1]

Your old method, in the shower...did you do more than one pass? What worked for me was to not do things different than what I had done before until my face got used to it.

[kingfisher]

ATG on the first shave was a big mistake.

Also, in DE shaving the goal is beard reduction, not beard elimination like you might strive for with a Mach 3. Each pass reduces the beard until you arrive at your destination.

Angles are hard to learn. It takes a while. Don't expect to master the whole thing right away.

I agree with the earlier poster that you should try going back to your Mach 3 but with brush and real lather, just to make sure the lather is good. I might stick with that for a couple of weeks or more, to make sure my lather was appropriate, before I went back to DE.

[Frowzy]

Welcome!!

When I was first starting out, I assumed proper blade angle wasn't the problem and I didn't get great results. Be scientific about it. Every ten seconds, check the angle. If not 30 degrees, adjust.

Hang in there.

[cvac]

First, I'd put the soap away for awhile. Hard soaps are about the worst choice for a beginner.

Second, you are trying to change too many things at once.

Try using a lather cream with your brush, your M3, and your old aftershave.
Do that for a couple of weeks until you get lathering with the brush and cream down pat.

THEN try again very carefully with the DE, WTG only. 2 passes of careful WTG will get you a very presentable shave, if not quite as close to what you are used to. Just try working with that for awhile until you get comfortable with the DE and learn the proper blade angle.

Then work in an XTG pass after another 4 weeks or so. I would save ATG until you are 100% sure you know what you are doing with the DE, if at all. Some guys cannot do ATG no matter what because it's too rough on their face. I can't for example, and I've been using the DE for over a year.

Derby blades didn't work for me either. Something about the coating irritated my face. Lots of guys like them though and it sounds like technique is moreso the problem here than anything else.

Note:

The CO bigelow in the green metal tube should work fine as long as you're not allergic to any of the ingredients. Try lathering up, and leave it on your face for about five minutes. Do not shave. If it starts burning before you shave and your face is red when you rinse it off, that cream is not for you. Do this will all new soaps and creams before you shave with them.

[David R]

Welcome to B&B. Practice is the key to a good shave. I agree that the ATG was a bit ambitious on your first DE shave. Keep us posted.
Good luck!

[cellopudding]

Welcome aboard! Yeah, your first shave sounds like my first shave. I was pretty ripped up for a while. For me, really GREAT shaves started to happen when I slowed down and really thought about what I was doing. It will be hard to unlearn some of the habits picked up from years of M3 shaving, but it can be done!

[michiganlover]

First welcome to the board, it's a wonderful place to be.

Second, I think you have set your expectations too high as a newbie. Very close, and comfortable shaves are definitely possible on with a DE razor but it takes practice. You are not going to have great shaves right off the bat

It takes anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to develop enough technique, so that you can have consistent repeatable results.

DE shaving is not something you learn overnight: it takes time, patience, and lots of practice.

[Drubbing]

The advantage of a DE are: cost of blades, customisation through blade selection and/or adjustability of blade exposure with some DE razors, and the satisfaction of shaving using your own skill, as opposed to a pivoting blade that does it all for you.

It takes a little time to learn, the shaves will be poor to begin with, it won't ever be quicker than a Mach3, even when you gain experience. But many of us get better, more comfortable shave because of it. And take a little time to enjoy what used to be a bore and a chore.

If that doesn't sound like you, then bail on the DE and just enjoy the results you'll get from good soaps or creams.

In case it hasn't been mentioned - - NO PRESSURE. I used a Mach 3 for years, and you have to press it onto your face to shave. With a DE, the weight of the razor head alone does that. Even when it fell like you're not using any, the years of using carts skews your feel for zero pressure.

[JPM]

Welcome to B&B! It really does get better pretty quickly. Stick with it and before you know it you'll be getting great shaves and figuring out what cream/soap/AS, etc. to try next.

[MrMoJoe]

Even though it's mostly been said already, I'll throw in my 2 cents worth.

1. I suspect that the main source of irritation came from shaving against the grain (ATG) on your first attempt. A definite no-no, and I would be shocked if it did NOT result in a lot of irritation.

2. Too much pressure and the wrong blade angle could be a contributing factor as well, as it takes a while to get these just right.

3. Lastly, there is a possibility that you have a sensitivity to the soap or maybe even the blade is wrong for you. I would rule out the first two things before I changed these up though.

What to do? I'd change one variable at a time, starting with your technique.

Give your face a rest for a day or two - resist the temptation! Then shave a single pass with very light pressure, WITH the grain only. You probably wont get a great shave, but your face will thank you.

The next time, do two passes, again, WITH the grain. Remember - almost zero pressure. Continue this (two passes, wtg) for at least a week to see if the irritation gets better. If so, replace the 2nd wtg with an xtg pass. If not, then I'd try either a different soap or a different blade. I wouldn't try ATG until you've got everything else down pat.

Believe me, it will get better, and then you can properly enjoy the endless variety and combinations this addiction demands!

[fidjit]

When I was done I had a really bad burning sensation all over my face even after a cold water splash and applying the balm I also had a lot of red bumps on my cheeks and throat which is very rare for me. The burn lasted for a few hours and was very uncomfortable. .........The closeness of the shave is horrible.

Your first shave is done and you're still alive


I still remember my first shave, done on a Sunday night to give me lots of time. I'm sure my face was transported to HELL. The burning was so bad !!!! I couldn't sleep most of the night and I used almost a whole bottle of Aloe Vera !!

Yes and the shave wasn't close either.....

Took me about 4 months to get everything right ( hey, I'm known as a slow learner all right ! ), but now I'm there it was definitely worth the wait............

You'll get lots of suggestions but YMWV ( Your Mileage WILL Vary ) . Try everything that people suggest but work out what works for YOU !!!

It WILL get better every shave you do !!!

Stick with it.

[SideshowB]

As you're quite new to the DE shaving game, most of the suggestions are going to be along the lines of verifying your technique. If you're sure your technique is right, then chances are it's an issue with the blade itself. Either you managed to get a dud blade for your first ever blade (it can happen), or the blades just don't agree with your face (see the latest posts in my newbie shaving diary, about the Lord Platinum blades). Try replacing the blade with another one from the pack, and if you get the same issue try a different kind of blade. I know Derby blades come generally recommended around here, but I've found that they don't work for me as they seem too blunt for my extremely coarse beard.

[Mink]

First Welcome, and don't worry, it just comes with the refinement of your routine and technique. You will find that there are many variables to get through, so it takes a while.

All good points above, and I would like to point out the difference between a cartridge and a fully exposed, very sharp blade. The blades in the cartridge are recessed and surrounded by the plastic frame - this is why you get the "the first one lifts the whisker and the second (ad nauseum) cuts it off. The blades are barely shaving against your skin. That's why you can use so much pressure and shave over and over the same area. With a DE, the full length of the sharp edge is riding on your skin and this is why angle is so important. Your skin is taking a very real beating if you are pressing down or if your angle is causing you to scrape your skin and whiskers, rather than just cutting the whisker. The good news is that as your technique improves (light pressure at the right angle) and you get to know your whisker pattern very intimately, this becomes as routine, though more enjoyable, than what you have been doing with cartridges.

Lastly, when you view videos from the masters you will hear a little comment that when you are starting out that you can experience some redness and discomfort for the first few months.....yup - that too

[wisie]

Great thread! I had similar questions and this thread has answered them.

Am I being unrealistic in hoping that eventually I'll get a smooth shave similar to my gillette?

Edit: Wow just noticed another Hobart user :)