(Moved post from general introduction area))
Have shaved with a DE safety razor for a month no problem. I have a dense and tough beard but scrupulous preshave prep and sharp Feather blades have resulted in very close shaves with only modest irritation even with ATG passes.
Purchased a vintage straight razor that had been professionally honed by a very credible hobbyist vendor. Examined blade and it definitely appeared honed sharp and stropped.
Yesterday, after thoroughly performing all of the preshave rituals shampoo, conditioner on beard, rinse, preshave oil; I methodically shaved much of my face WTG and not much of my neck with it using AoS shave cream liberally applied, took a very long time. No cuts and no weepers, prolly less damage than i do with a DE razor, but then again I skipped all the difficult spots like neck around the Adam's apple, underneath the chin, etc. Finished the shave with a DE razor. Afterwards had some irritation that subsided gradually as the day went on with application of a balm etc.
Today stropped the razor and shaved virtually all my face and a bit of my neck WTG and XTG,same preshave ritual but used Aveeno shaving gel instead. Shaved a little faster, got a number of small weepers and a couple of minor cuts, nothing that bled dramatically or anything. The Aveeno felt good on my face but maybe less lubricating to the razor. Cleaned up remainder of face with DE razor and performed all after shave rinse, balm, therapies.
All day my face has felt mildly irritated, even after application of Aloe. Not actual pain, but in the mirror my cheeks look faintly blotchy and if I smile my face feels "stiff".
Is this normal?
As my straight razor technique improves can I expect the irritation to decrease?
I did not feel excessive pulling as if the blade were dull, but I did have to make a bunch of passes to remove all of the stubble. With the DE razor I make a lot fewer passes to accomplish the same amount of shaving.
In addition to a preshave oil, are there any shaving creams that are extremely lubricating, protective and slick?
Thx in advance for any advice and/or encouragement,
Tim
Have shaved with a DE safety razor for a month no problem. I have a dense and tough beard but scrupulous preshave prep and sharp Feather blades have resulted in very close shaves with only modest irritation even with ATG passes.
Purchased a vintage straight razor that had been professionally honed by a very credible hobbyist vendor. Examined blade and it definitely appeared honed sharp and stropped.
Yesterday, after thoroughly performing all of the preshave rituals shampoo, conditioner on beard, rinse, preshave oil; I methodically shaved much of my face WTG and not much of my neck with it using AoS shave cream liberally applied, took a very long time. No cuts and no weepers, prolly less damage than i do with a DE razor, but then again I skipped all the difficult spots like neck around the Adam's apple, underneath the chin, etc. Finished the shave with a DE razor. Afterwards had some irritation that subsided gradually as the day went on with application of a balm etc.
Today stropped the razor and shaved virtually all my face and a bit of my neck WTG and XTG,same preshave ritual but used Aveeno shaving gel instead. Shaved a little faster, got a number of small weepers and a couple of minor cuts, nothing that bled dramatically or anything. The Aveeno felt good on my face but maybe less lubricating to the razor. Cleaned up remainder of face with DE razor and performed all after shave rinse, balm, therapies.
All day my face has felt mildly irritated, even after application of Aloe. Not actual pain, but in the mirror my cheeks look faintly blotchy and if I smile my face feels "stiff".
Is this normal?
As my straight razor technique improves can I expect the irritation to decrease?
I did not feel excessive pulling as if the blade were dull, but I did have to make a bunch of passes to remove all of the stubble. With the DE razor I make a lot fewer passes to accomplish the same amount of shaving.
In addition to a preshave oil, are there any shaving creams that are extremely lubricating, protective and slick?
Thx in advance for any advice and/or encouragement,
Tim