Yeah, the pressure used is important. Coming from a cartridge razor to a DE razor took me awhile and practice to find the correct pressure. Like you, I nicked and got razor burn until I got the technique down. Now I can easily get nice, comfortable, close shaves every time. Hang in there and don't give up. Go easy on the pressure. Just the weight of the razor head for starters.
New to wet shaving - Desperately need help.
- Thread starter ScruffyLooking NerfHerder
- Start date
Late to the party I am!
Welcome to B&B @ScruffyLooking NerfHerder
Clearly you've experienced some of the finest advice thus far from this community.
I saw an initial post that provides coaching for developing great lather.
If you're skin is that sensitive, you may be experiencing some issues with your pre-shave routine.
Perhaps, if you have yet not, take it a bit more gently on the pre-shave so as to limit irritation out of the gate.
Second, I wouldn't face lather. I prefer to bowl lather as it too will limit the amount of irritation to your skin prior to shaving and you'll be able to more readily discover your technique for creating a great lather.
The very short story with a great lather is controlling the amount of water you use at the beginning.
- Put x amount of product in your bowl/scuttle.
- Wet your brush and then wring it to damp.
- Start making lather.
- Add water judiciously by dampening the tips of the bristles.
- Continue making lather
- Rinse - Repeat until you've gotten a gooey, thick creamy lather.
You noted using an adjustable razor: not sure someone has suggested this...
Perhaps try your first pass with the setting you noted: 2.5
Your second pass might be set lower.
Third pass/touch up: lowest setting.
This will potentially change the angle you'll have to hold the razor and it will also lessen the blade exposure on more "naked" skin, making it more gentle for the last pass.
Welcome again to B&B.
Welcome to B&B @ScruffyLooking NerfHerder
Clearly you've experienced some of the finest advice thus far from this community.
I saw an initial post that provides coaching for developing great lather.
If you're skin is that sensitive, you may be experiencing some issues with your pre-shave routine.
Perhaps, if you have yet not, take it a bit more gently on the pre-shave so as to limit irritation out of the gate.
Second, I wouldn't face lather. I prefer to bowl lather as it too will limit the amount of irritation to your skin prior to shaving and you'll be able to more readily discover your technique for creating a great lather.
The very short story with a great lather is controlling the amount of water you use at the beginning.
- Put x amount of product in your bowl/scuttle.
- Wet your brush and then wring it to damp.
- Start making lather.
- Add water judiciously by dampening the tips of the bristles.
- Continue making lather
- Rinse - Repeat until you've gotten a gooey, thick creamy lather.
You noted using an adjustable razor: not sure someone has suggested this...
Perhaps try your first pass with the setting you noted: 2.5
Your second pass might be set lower.
Third pass/touch up: lowest setting.
This will potentially change the angle you'll have to hold the razor and it will also lessen the blade exposure on more "naked" skin, making it more gentle for the last pass.
Welcome again to B&B.
can you stretch your budget? you won't be able to cut yourself with a feather as-d2 razor with a feather blade. it's just not gonna happen! it's the most efficient razor of ALL TIME*!
*when paired with a feather blade made of surgical grade japanese steel, of course!
*when paired with a feather blade made of surgical grade japanese steel, of course!
Man! Good routine here. I think you might need a more mild razor. Try a Henson or AS-D2.
Hope you're having better results. Lots of good advice. I'd suggest keeping things simple for awhile. Stick with fewer products. Maybe just the witch hazel instead of Alum, witch hazel and balm. Or just pick one outta the 3. You might need a milder razor or blade. Experiment with different blades. Maybe you need a smoother more comfortable blade instead of super sharp like the Feather. I'd reduce the number of passes for awhile too. Maybe just 1 pass wtg and some light blade buffing for clean up.
I would echo this advice, consistency is key when starting any new skill, and wet shaving is a skill like any other.
When I started about 20 years ago, all the equipment I had was sourced locally and of a low to mid range quality. But I made it work for me, for at least the first year of shaving I only used this gear. A cheap boar brush, store brand chemist shave soap, and a store brand Gillette tech clone with a plastic handle. Not great, but it taught me how to find the angle of the blade, and how the water content of the lather affected the glide of the razor.
It wasn’t until years later that I started collecting multiple brushes, razors, blades and soaps etc.
