More Noob Questions

[LukeW]

First off, I'd like to say hello to all. I have just gotten into wet shaving and it sure sucks that I didn't discover this stuff many years ago! The only issues is that I am still experiencing some razor burn and looking for some advice.

I have attched some pics of the vintage Gillette DE that I picked up at a local antique store. So for I like it (because I so many others to compare it to!). All joking aside, it feels good in my hands and controlable. As for blades, I have tried both Wilkinson Swords and the generics from CVS. The CVS brand actually feels more comfortable.

I have used both Proraso ultra-sensitive soap and Van Der Hagen soaps with a $20 badger brush. I have also tried the Prosaro preshave cream.

I am fast learing that this whole game comes down to a lot of personal preference. If anybody has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[goatee]

sounds like you are off to a great start. i'll give you any advice i can,, but it helps if you have a question.
welcome to b&b!!!

[DaveNJ74]

You're right, it does suck knowing I could have been using cool razors and great products for the last 20 years. Try a blade sampler pack, most offer 5 brands of blades, Astra, Feather, Derby, Personna and others. I go with Astras.

[baba]

Well Luke, you have a fantastic starter kit!! Wow, that is one amazing razor. What a great way to get into DE shaving.

Here is my advise. Three words...Badger and Blade.

Everything you need to know is here, or with the members that live here. I have met more fine gentlemen here in a short time than I have met elsewhere in my entire life.

Once you shave for a bit, you will have some specific questions, make sure you seek out answers here at B & B.

WELCOME LUKE!!! You have come to the right place.

[Mike H]

Congratulations and welcome to B&B. You have two very nice razors. The one on the left is a Tuckaway, but it looks like you may have the more rare long handle edition. The one on the right is a New in the Red and Black case. Very nice razor, maybe not as agressive ats the tuckaway. My one bit of advice is to watch your pressure. First week of DE shaving I had pretty bad razor burn, but went a way after about a week of practice.
Best of luck.

[Mirzath]

Right now I am using Edwin Jagger buckthorn soap or an Arko stick and Proraso ultra sensitive pre/post-cream. I find using the pre-shave cream really helps reduce razor burn and weepers but it may be giving me a bit of acne. I have very fairly oily skin and the more pre-cream shave I use (just once or for each pass) really helps reduce the razor burn. However I am still wrestling with technique and think the biggest difference is how careful I am.

[LukeW]

Sorry...I was a little unspecific. I'm looking for any advice on reducing razor burn. It has alredy gotten better since picking up the DE, but still damn annoying!

[Eric V]

Welcome to B and B!

Razor burn is usually from poor technic. The better the prep, the less the razor burn. The less the pressure, the less the razor burn. The better and angle, the less the razor burn. If any aspect of your technic is not up to par, you will get razor burn. Make your goal an irritation free shave, using the information about which passes to do, etc. that are found here on this site. There is a lot to read and digest. In the meanwhile, your technic will get better and better with practice.

[noctilux]

as has already been pointed out, technique is #1. part of that includes angle of attack and absence of pressure. another big part is understanding the direction of hair growth and being very conservative about going against it, especially in a sensitive area like the neck. the way i see it, the face is the most important part and there is no use trying to force the issue on the neck--it's usually under a chin shadow anyhow. i do a 3 pass shave like this:

cheeks: WTG, XTG, ATG
chin/lip: WTG, XTG, XTG
neck: WTG, WTG, WTG (with a bit of XTG in the upper parts, off to the side)

you need to figure out what your face can endure. the starting point is with the grain. slowly and cautiously expand beyond that. also, with a multiple pass shave, don't worry about getting it all on the first cut.

you may also want to consider a nice moisturizing cream like edwin jagger sea buckthorn until you get it right. soaps are more tricky and not as lubricating--well, at least until you become a master at lathering.


v.

[Artistik]

Welcome 2 B& B! All good advice above.

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard, can't really add to the awesome advice already given.

[mdw15]

I resolved razor burn issues with better technique, that's the main thing as everyone says. But for software I use a non oily pre-shave--Edwin Jagger or Castle Forbes--which really helps. (I choose to dry my face somewhat before applying the pre-shave so it doesn't slide off.)

I superlather.

Map your face after a few days' growth if you can manage it. I have my pencil drawing still although I don't need to look at it anymore. (Most days.) Concentrate on WTG and XTG passes, and fewer rather than more passes, especially around the neck.

No pressure! Seriously.

[zano2]

Welcome to B&B!

[Alraz]

The trick to get rid of razor burn is to let the razor do the work, along with working on your lathering skills.

Al raz.

[Optometrist]

Welcome to B&B!

[ackvil]

Welcome.

[LukeW]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I think there may be some lathering issues. I also think I am going to try making cream lather in a mug. From the videos I've wathched, it looks a little easier for a rookie. Thanks guys.

[mandoman]

Welcome to B&B i have the razor on the right the new a very good razor i use mine all the time enjoy

[baba]

Luke, I have a thick, tough, wire like beard and I previously suffered with razor burn and ingrown hairs daily. Back then shaving was a chore, and I avoided it all all costs. Since making the transition to DE and SE shaving, I have completely eliminated razor burn and ingrown hairs. I know the success I have had is not just because of the razor, but rather a combination or the razor, a high quality blade, better quality shave gels/creams, good skin prep and much better technique.

At the risk of sounding like a late night infomercial...once you get everything dialed in, you too will see amazing results.

Too help with razor burn, here is something I posted a while ago...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ief?highlight=


It is a bit over the top, but it did help me get rid of razor rash completely. But if you do nothing else at all, the number one thing I can tell someone to do to avoid razor burn is to only shave your face with just one pass. Thats it, just that alone coupled with good prep and technique will do wonders.

Please keep us posted on your progress.