Too Many Passes - Face Is On Fire

[rivieraranch]

I used my Merkur 1904 with a new Wilkinson Sword blade for a with-the-grain and an against the grain pass. Then switched to my Edwin Jagger 89 for some more against the grain and touch ups. It turned out that this was too much. I think I need to stick with the Jagger for now, for I have had better results with it utilizing fewer passes.

[Attila]

Always make sure you are only putting your blade to your face when there is a layer of lather there. Try to resist making passes when there is no lather. Too many passes/touchups will definitely result in razor burn. Been there and done that with different blade types that shall at this time remain nameless. Perhaps the blade is not sharp enough for you with that razor and your skin type? Try a sharper/different blade in a sampler pack. I use Feathers in my EJ89 and it allows me to do one pass with grain, one across and one against if I feel like it in certain areas on my face. To be honest even after the atg pass I am very very close to BBS (baby butt smooth) due to the sharpness of the Feather blade. I have sensitive skin that doesn't like too many passes or products that are too strongly scented.

[bryan1980]

I wouldn't do more than one ATG pass. Do WTG, then XTG (across the grain), and then ATG only on certain areas. I don't do ATG at all on my neck, too much irritation. I don't know what kind of shaver the 1904 is (mild, aggressive, etc.), but I'd stick with the EJ alone for the time being while you work on technique. You don't want to introduce too many variables while you're learning.

[OzoneAz]

I do two passes and some touch ups (mostly chin area) and could not be happier with the results. I use a EJ89 with Astra blades.

[rebos]

I also stick to 2 passes: 1 WTG and 1 XTG

In my case it isn't a question of technique, but rather the type of skin and the fairness of hair that I have. ATG won't get me any closer of a shave than XTG --or, if it does it will cause problems like ingrowns and razor burn. Through numerous attempts at trying out the ATG pass I've come to realize that I'm one of the people who doesn't even need the extra pass. Lesson learned.

I'm not saying this is the case for you. There are a ton of variables. You might have had a dud blade. I'd be surprised if the issue lay with the aggressiveness of the 1904 --which is a fine beginner razor, from what I hear --than, perhaps with your being unaccustomed to the feel of the razor.

You might want to try different blade combinations with the 1904 . . . Razors have different personalities and what might have been working for you with the EJ might not be the best with the 1904.

[ackvil]

As your technique improves you can add more passes. However, don't obsess about a BBS shave.

[DEGuy]

I found the EJ more efficient and more, for lack of a better term, aggressive than the 1904. I did find Wilkinson blades to fall short of good cutting capability. I've used Astras and now have added Persona Surgical Prep blades as my DEs of choice. When I had tried lesser cutting blades with the 1904 and the Jagger, I did find that I scraped my face more; but with the better blades the razor is doing more efficient cutting with no face scraping. In fact, with the either of the blades mentioned above, I can even 'catch' some small pick-ups without having to re-lather. Just my opinion, but you may want to rethink the cutting efficiency of Wilkinson blades.

I know that I tend to press on the 1904 (it's that light) when shaving, and you can press a bit and get a better shave (not recommended as a technique when using many other razors), which I like; but one of the keys to a good shave with any razor is the blade, so long as the other shaving variables are being performed properly. In the words of Buffalo Springfield: For what it's worth.

[turtle]

As your technique improves you can add more passes. However, don't obsess about a BBS shave.

+1

The best advice you will receive

[sparco]

Always make sure you are only putting your blade to your face when there is a layer of lather there. Try to resist making passes when there is no lather. Too many passes/touchups will definitely result in razor burn. Been there and done that with different blade types that shall at this time remain nameless. Perhaps the blade is not sharp enough for you with that razor and your skin type? Try a sharper/different blade in a sampler pack. I use Feathers in my EJ89 and it allows me to do one pass with grain, one across and one against if I feel like it in certain areas on my face. To be honest even after the atg pass I am very very close to BBS (baby butt smooth) due to the sharpness of the Feather blade. I have sensitive skin that doesn't like too many passes or products that are too strongly scented.

+1
That sure explains a lot. Thanks for a great tip. Will try this tomorrow!

[duck dive steve]

+1 for fewer passes and less against the grain. For the the moment stick WTG and XTG. As already said don't worry about BBS it grows back anyway.

[rivieraranch]

Thank everyone for the valuable advice. I am giving my skin a rest until Monday morning. I ordered a 100 pack of Astra Blue on ebay. They come from Ankara, Turkey so they will probably be here before too long.

[Kentos]

Out of curiosity do you face lather? And what kind of brush do you use?

[jb4647]

Always make sure you are only putting your blade to your face when there is a layer of lather there. Try to resist making passes when there is no lather. Too many passes/touchups will definitely result in razor burn. Been there and done that with different blade types that shall at this time remain nameless. Perhaps the blade is not sharp enough for you with that razor and your skin type? Try a sharper/different blade in a sampler pack. I use Feathers in my EJ89 and it allows me to do one pass with grain, one across and one against if I feel like it in certain areas on my face. To be honest even after the atg pass I am very very close to BBS (baby butt smooth) due to the sharpness of the Feather blade. I have sensitive skin that doesn't like too many passes or products that are too strongly scented.

+1

This afternoon I tried my first Feather again now that my technique has improved. Was able to get a BBS doing WTG and XTG. I'm figuring the sharpness of the blade did it.

[linty1]

Ouch! For me I find that under my nose area, I have to make sure I have lather on it, even if it's for a touch up stroke, I get some lather on it first, then go for a stroke. And if the stroke doesn't do it? I put a little lather on and then touch up again. Maybe just let it rest for a few days, and then just do 1 WTG for a while until your skin gets used to it, then add in XTG then gradually work your way up.

Also you didn't mention you were using any soap/cream... I guess we are all assuming you do... but are you shaving dry? Cuz that would be it right there.

[rivieraranch]

I use an Art Of Shaving Badger Brush and two no-name boar brushes; C.O. Bigelow (Proraso) or Van Der Hagen shaving soap. The brush is dipped in warm water then used to whip up the lather.

[huntingdan]

I do two passes and some touch ups (mostly chin area) and could not be happier with the results. I use a EJ89 with Astra blades.

This! This is exactly what I have found to be the best for me. It gets my face smoother than I could imagine with no irritation at all. To be honest the XTG irritated my face more than the ATG, especially on the neck area. Once I got all the nuances and growth pattern down, these two passes area all I need with an occasional touch up here and there. Depends on how early it is!

[brooksfletcher]

I also stick with 2 thorough passes (full head shave) with some touching up. I only do a third pass if I'm feeling sexy!

As far as BBS, people cant tell because my head shine is blinding lol

[Whilliam]

As your technique improves you can add more passes. However, don't obsess about a BBS shave.

+1