Looking for a little advice

**zigar01** · 03-05-2011, 11:16 PM

Hey gents!

So I've gone through 4 straight shaves so far, and I'm enjoying it.

However, I still have yet to get a SAS out of the whole deal. Plus I keep getting razor burned like heck. Any advice? I've been holding the blade almost parallel to my skin, I think I may need to work a bit more on stretching my skin, and I'm good at lathering my soaps (I use Tabac and Speick mostly).

Any thoughts? Tips? Advice?

I also know that I need to try and watch my blade more... I hit my earlobe with my straight today and bled like a stuck pig for a good 5 minutes. Which brings me to my second question. I'm having a REALLY hard time on my cheeks watching where my blade is. I'm nearsighted and obviously don't wear my glasses while I shave. Any other guys with poor eyesight have any advice for me?

Thanks!

**Legion** · 03-06-2011, 12:11 AM

I'm nearsighted too. I try to wear my contacts most of the time for shaving, but when I can't I'll splash my face, lather up, put my glasses on and shave. I tried not wearing the glasses and ended up so near the mirror I bumped the scales on the glass.

**zigar01** · 03-06-2011, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by legion

I'm nearsighted too. I try to wear my contacts most of the time for shaving, but when I can't I'll splash my face, lather up, put my glasses on and shave. I tried not wearing the glasses and ended up so near the mirror I bumped the scales on the glass.

I will have to give it a try. I cant get contacts for a few more months under my insurance plan. Last year I opted to get a new pair of glasses since my old pair was several years old and was nowhere near my current prescription.

**Nizzyrate** · 03-06-2011, 12:54 AM

I use the normal low angle for the first pass mainly to reduce the length of the beard and then on my second pass I increase the angle and decrease the pressure. I increase the angle to about 60 degrees. I'm not kidding it's more vertical than angle. My point is: try lots of angles. and don't assume that one constant angle will fit each area of your face. You might need to switch it up.

Also, use as little pressure as you can, and remember that the pressure can be even lighter with each successive pass because most of the stubble is cut so there is less resistance.

Incidentally, the sharper the razor, the less force you need to push the edge through the hair. If your razor isn't sharp that could explain the irritation right there.

**johnmrson** · 03-06-2011, 02:44 AM

I can't help you with the eye sight problems. I had laser surgery prior to starting with a straight.
The elements for a good straight shave are good prep, a sharp straight, correct angles and light pressure. If any one of them is off, you'll feel it in the results.

**gull** · 03-06-2011, 04:31 AM

I'm nearsighted too, and don't wear my glasses while shaving. In the beginning though, I did wear my glasses. It was a little awkward at first, but being able to see clearly was worth it. To be honest, I cut my ears too. It's all part of the process

I don't have any tips for you. Experience will take care of your problems.

**InvictusManeo** · 03-06-2011, 06:23 AM

These all sound like struggles most all of us had while starting out, regardless of our sitedness. I personally would go ahead and use the glasses while you are learning, when you get better, placing the razor and making your stroke will become more second nature and you can probably do without.

Don't get discouraged, it probably took me 2 months before I was consistently able to get close comfortable shaves, but with practice it will come. Justkeep experimenting with different angles, grips and techniques and eventually you will get there. Also don't be afraid to do your first pass with a DE so the straight can glide acrossyour face better.

Happy Shaving

**MaritimeFanatic** · 03-06-2011, 06:28 AM

All great advice here. Can't stress enough about using zero pressure with the blade. No pressure = no razor burn. It takes time, but you eventually find "the touch" that works for you!

**oscar11** · 03-06-2011, 09:41 AM

It takes time, but you eventually find "the touch" that works for you!

I agree.

**natchez** · 03-06-2011, 10:00 AM

IMO- if you are getting razor burned with a properly honed straight, it is likely just too much pressure.

As to the eyesight issue, I am quite nearsighted and do not wear glasses while shaving, and did not when I started straight shaving either. What I did do when learning, was to turn off the water tap, position the blade at the top of my cheek for a downward WTG pass, use my other hand to hold my skin taut, then close my eyes and just listen. Worked wonders for finding just the right angle and pressure. I did this with a hollow ground razor. A heavier grind, like a 1/4 hollow or wedge, has a different sound.

I still get a nick now and again and still have some areas to work on for perfection, but never get any burn and always get a mostly BBS shave. I really believe that understanding the proper sound was what helped me over the hump. Now, I do not rely on sight as much as feel.

Good luck.

**Mike'sWorld** · 03-06-2011, 02:30 PM

I'm extremely nearsighted and rely mostly on sound to shave with.

My wife was blow drying her hair and I couldn't hear myself shave.

I had to wait until she was finished.

When I shave underneath my jawline, I am never able to see what I am doing. It's entirely by touch and sound.

**zigar01** · 03-06-2011, 03:57 PM

Sounds like I'll have to rely a little more on my ears! Good advice guys. I'm giving my face (and ear

) a rest today. I'll try listening a little more when I shave tomorrow.

**Shangas** · 03-06-2011, 07:12 PM

I have terrible eyesight. Like the OP, I'm shortsighted. But I can still shave with a straight with perfect confidence and results.

I use a magnified shaving mirror when I shave. That way I can see where I need to shave, what angle and whether or not I'm not overshaving.

**awolff** · 03-06-2011, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by johnmrson

I can't help you with the eye sight problems. I had laser surgery prior to starting with a straight.

I know SE shaving is notorious for having high up-front costs, but this getting ridiculous!

**Shangas** · 03-07-2011, 01:33 AM

Those who recommended listening to your shave make a good point.

In my experience, straight-shaving is very audiable and tactile. You listen and feel what the straight is doing rather than looking at it. The sound of the blade scraping away two days' worth of whiskers is something unique. When you hear that rough scraping sound, you know you're doing it right. It's the sound of dozens of whiskers screaming in agony.

**zigar01** · 03-07-2011, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by Shangas

The sound of the blade scraping away two days' worth of whiskers is something unique. When you hear that rough scraping sound, you know you're doing it right. It's the sound of dozens of whiskers screaming in agony.

**Gustav** · 03-07-2011, 07:36 AM

I am assuming that your straight is honed by a pro and that lather is not an issue, as you said yourself. I used to get razor burn a lot until I asked the forum about how to do the strokes. Up until then I used to do a WTG pass on my cheek by pivoting my wrist and keeping my arm rather still. However, if instead you lock your wrist and do the stroke by pulling your upper arm downwards, it is much easier to control both angle and pressure. For me this was somewhat of a breakthrough and reduced my razor burn significantly.