Checking in

[Itabe]

Hey everyone,

I have been DE shaving for a bit over a year now, but until now I had not given too much thought to brush/cream/blade/technique. I have been experiencing a lot of sensitivity on my neck after shaving, so I am now working to improve and remedy that.

My current setup includes a Merkur progress, which I started on, and an EJ D89L that I switched to recently. I was using feather blades, but I bought some Derby's to see if my skin handled them better. I have been bowl lathering with TOBS Avocado and GFT Rose creams. I also have a tube of TOBS Lemon Lime coming in the mail. I currently use an EJ best badger brush and started with an omega pure badger.

Ive gone from shaving once or twice a week out of laziness to trying to shave at least 1 or 2 passes every day. I am hoping my skin will get more used to the process and that my technique will improve.

Ive enjoyed reading this forum, and it's good to meet you all.

Jeff

[mblakele]

Welcome to B&B!

[Optometrist]

Welcome to B&B, Jeff!

[joshgambit]

Greetings! Welcome to B&B.

[Dennard]

Hello and welcome, Jeff!

[Eric V]

Welcome to the B, Jeff! It is good to meet you also!

Your kit looks good. I'll make a couple of recommendations, since you said you hope your skin will get more used to the process.

Technic is the key to less irritating shaves. Both prep technic and razor technic. You have a good brush and some great creams to make lather. I'd say stick with the EJ razor for now, to eliminate the variable of searching for the right setting. I used a progress for years, thinking it was the right DE to start with. It is way out of my rotation right now. My Barley EJ is my favorite razor, and has the same head as your EJ.

A sample pack of razors is the best tool you can use to learn technic. As you switch blade brands and keep all else the same, you will feel slight differences that will allow you to refine your razor skills.

I don't believe the skin gets used to the process of shaving. I think as we get better at shaving, the irritation and razor burn decrease, and our quality of shave increases.

Let us know how you notice improvements in your technic, and how that helps your daily shaves!

[David T.]

Hi and welcome Jeff.

[Greyfox]

Welcome to B&B.

[jsj_297]

welcome aboard!!! i loved my mergress.

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard.. The Progress is my goto razor.

[Kmitch]

Jeff,
Welcome to the forum! Good to have you.

[Itabe]

Thank you all!

Thanks for the tips Eric. Today I spent some time really examining my beard and the grain and noticed that my hair actually grows at an angle towards the sides of my face as compared to just up and down. Changing my shaving direction to cut more with the grain on the first pass has really helped with any neck irritation!

Jeff

[Eric V]

Thank you all!

Thanks for the tips Eric. Today I spent some time really examining my beard and the grain and noticed that my hair actually grows at an angle towards the sides of my face as compared to just up and down. Changing my shaving direction to cut more with the grain on the first pass has really helped with any neck irritation!

Jeff

Cool! Glad you got a better first pass!

[demaro]

Welcome Jeff !!

[Wendy]

Welcome to B&B!

[ackvil]

Welcome to B&B., Jeff, from a Mergress owner.

For a good starting off point look at the information at this post. The information there will direct you to where you can get answers to all of your shaving needs. Plus, it’s always a good idea to read the wikis and stickies. And, don’t forget; if you have any questions just ask.

Irritation often is caused by too much pressure on the blade and/or poor blade angle. . DE shaving is different from cartridge shaving in that you must be sure you are not putting any pressure on the blade. Let the weight of the razor do the work for you. To assure this I use two fingers and my thumb to hold the razor with another finger resting on the tip of the handle. This results in holding the razor very lightly with no pressure on the razor. You want to hold the razor as lightly as you can without it falling from your hand. And here is a good post that will help you on blade angle.