Started with the wrong foot

**clango** · 02-14-2010, 05:36 AM

Unfortunately I started with the wrong foot.

I was so excited when I found this forum and I found techniques so in deep. I develop my attitudes about but also my skills. I actually feel proud, more than before, of my badger brush, the pre-shave, the soap, my balm but not only also the saving of the water...so it was so easy decide to change the razor. I was arriving from a simple safety razor by gillette ( Countour 2 plus with aloe).
So I started to look around this forum.
My first meeting was with the straight razor, but realizing I need to know more techiques, and being also a little afraid to bite myself, I bought a shavette, to start slowly and I bite in three different points.

So I thought, take it easy, you need to understand better and I asked to my father his old DE razor, to approach through this way.

Here I had less cuts, I used the usual four pass method but - the day after - my throat was red.

So, if I can be friendly, I thought why I need to continue and I decided to come back at the satey razor.

Now, I'd like to come back and analyze where I did the mistake ....any help?
Thanks in advance

**DunEdinRanger** · 02-14-2010, 05:47 AM

Perhaps too much pressure? You should apply no pressure at all using the DE. Have you checked out Mantics videos on youtube?

**Bertilak** · 02-14-2010, 05:48 AM

Welcome, Clango.

Personally, I found "shavettes" to be very difficult to use. They didn't help me learn straight shaving. But others will have the opposite experience. My point is, don't automatically think that is the best way to start. If it doesn't work for you then so be it.

I think learning with a DE first can be a good idea. Many of the things you learn will be directly applicable the straight razor shaving and you will not need to deal with the extra stuff that straight razors bring into the mix until the basics are second nature.

I think the one piece of advice that might help the most to start with is "use a light touch". That is, let the sharpness of the blade do the work. If you think you need to force things what you really need to do is think about all the techniques you can read up on here at B&B (and elsewhere). Pressing down harder is never the answer.

**jpkunst** · 02-14-2010, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by clango

Here I had less cuts, I used the usual four pass method but - the day after - my throat was red.

Try two passes. Four passes is overkill IMHO.

**alabamalawyer** · 02-14-2010, 09:35 AM

Pressure is your enemy with a DE razor. As you have been using a cartridge razor, you are used to applying pressure in your shave. This is habit you have to unlearn, and it takes time. Don't rush your shave, go slowly. Focus on avoiding any presssure with the razor. And lastly, go two or three passes at most, until you get your technique down.

**saltypete** · 02-14-2010, 03:59 PM

As others have said, pressure is the number one cause of irritation. Also if your blade angle is wrong you aren't going to get a good shave .

Pete

**DFrancis** · 02-14-2010, 04:27 PM

Less passes, less pressure and just keep working on your technique. It'll come in time.

**Razorburne** · 02-14-2010, 04:46 PM

you also have to be careful to do the bulk of your shaving with the grain and across the grain of your beard growth - if your neck was red and irritated, besides too much pressure and possibly an incorrect angle, you may have been shaving against the grain (as for many the beard on the neck grows in all different directions, not simply from North to South).