First DE shave

**Chris7495** · 07-13-2012, 04:55 PM

So today felt like Christmas as all the items I ordered arrived on the same day.

I opened my EJ 89, Tweezerman brush, col conks mug with soap, and assorted blades.I got excited and went directly to the bathroom to shave the couple days of growth I had accumulated. I tried to do everything I have read about and watched on YT but ended up with some of the worst razor burn and 3 nicks. I know it's a skill and takes time but I'm kinda disappointed. My Tweezerman brush is pretty scratchy, not near as soft as I thought it would. It also lost many brush hairs during the rinsing and lathering.I love The look of the EJ razor and it feels very comfortable in my hand, pretty sure I need to work on the positioning of the blade when I making my small passes. I made three passes, 2 downward and one across the grain. The soap was drying on my skin so fast, I think I need to use more water when lathering. Anyways the big mistake I made was putting on aqua velva right after I got done, not smart when your skin is on fire. Thankfully I bought some Gillette aftershave lotion, which I put on and cooled my skin down. All in all not bad for the first time, I have a lot to go though.

**Jclifton** · 07-13-2012, 06:53 PM

nice work, nothing like your first DE shave, finally got around to using my Gillette tech last night, and I am completely sold, let the AD begin!

**rebos** · 07-13-2012, 07:27 PM

It will get better. In fact, it can only get better as you work on technique, learn to make better lather, find your personal preferences for blade and razor combinations, accumulate software that works best for you, etc. etc. The variables are infinite.

Study the tutorials here. (stickies at the top of the forum pages)
Watch some Mantic59 video
Work on your blade angle

And don't apply pressure. Let the razor head & blade do all of the work. Stick with the simple stuff and save the tricky stuff for later.

Welcome to B & B!

**xyz1981** · 07-13-2012, 10:39 PM

It only gets better, going forward.

**duck dive steve** · 07-14-2012, 01:02 AM

Welcome to B&B
It only gets better as you learn more. Loads of great information here on how to get a good lather.http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/How_t...er_from_a_soap
And check out mantics videos. Many of us still look at this stuff again and again to improve are lathers. Good luck with future shaves.

**Rattbones** · 07-14-2012, 01:19 AM

Welcome to the board!
I have had the same problem with soap drying to my skin. As a result, as I shave my skin is dry and the razor pulls harder. What I do now is, between each pass before I lather up, I rinse off my face and insure my face is wet before I lather up. I rinse my razor off frequently, and leave it wet, don't shake the water off after rinsing. You will get better, keep to shaving down 3x for a few weeks before you go to any other angels. Once you get the angle and weight of your razor under control you shaves will get better.

**Whilliam** · 07-14-2012, 04:07 AM

Welcome. Learn. Enjoy!

And practice patience and technique. Perhaps in your excitement you tried a bit too hard. Shaving is easy . . . when you let the razor do the work.

**Sledgehammer39** · 07-14-2012, 04:55 AM

Welcome Aboard, it will get better as you progress!

**Chris7495** · 07-15-2012, 04:16 AM

Thanks for all the encouragment everyone. I did go back and watch some of the videos online and had a much better shave this morning. I got the closest shave I have had in yrs on my face, feels great. My neck on the other hand is getting worse, thinking I might have to back off a few days before trying again. I wasn't going against the grain, had a much better lather this time, and hydrated my skin before shaving by taking a really hot shower but boths sides of my neck are on fire. I don't have a pre shave yet so I'm hoping to get that in the mail soon before touching that area again. Any advice on what to try for these trouble spots? Maybe this shave was good but my skin was still irritated from the previous shave? Any tips would be appreciated.

**Timogen** · 07-15-2012, 07:37 AM

Welcome! I've had trouble on my neck too. Blade angle and pressure are even more important to monitor when shaving your neck. You might also take a look at mapping the beard growth on your neck. You may find that you were actually going XTG or ATG on your neck instead of WTG. Good luck.