Hi, I started wet shaving about 6 months ago . My razors I use daily rotate from The Future -Sledge hammer and soon to be Fine super light and Im super stoked to get that. Anyways with that being said is it normal to have to go over and over and over and over an area? I have a course beard and it takes a lot of hitting the same area before I get enough off on any of the passes I do. Do I end up with razor burn yes. Im not sure what to do I believe my Pre shave routine is good and my Blades are sharp and clean. I use feathers and Astra super platinum's but for whatever reason I can't just get three passes and Im bbs. Why wouldn't sharp blades good razors and pre shave routine not make it to where I don't have over shave an area? Have any of you ever had this issue where it seems like you need a lot of over shaving to get it down?
Are you doing 3 passes in different directions, or are all 3 passes identical? I do a pass with the grain of my beard, then across the grain, and then against the grain. Even then there are some stubborn areas on my neck that need touch up. The key to not getting razor burn is making sure to keep applying lather and using absolutely no pressure. I'm talking laying the weight of the razor on the skin then slightly pulling back so only half the weight is on the skin. Sometimes even then it just doesn't happen. Call it good enough and try again another day.
I typically do three passes, all with the grain, and I've never experienced what you are talking about. If you are coming from a multibladed razor system, a double edge razor will never get you that smooth. If that is what you are trying to achieve. Multibladed cartridges pull the hair up before cutting it, which leaves the cut end below the surface of the skin. Double edge razors cut the hair just above or at the surface of the skin, so there will always be slight roughness, even with a BBS shave. Those who get true BBS usually have fairly light hair growth or they shave in all directions like @cmorris357 pointed out above.
I have a tough beard and to get BBS I do 4 passes, WTG, XTG, XTG opposite direction and then ATG. There are other techniques like a Gillete slide or blade buffing that will help. I don't recommend blade buffing. How long have you been using a DE? It took me a while before I could achieve BBS and then a little longer before I could get it regularly.
Make sure you're not using too steep an angle. The razor will "sound" like it's shaving, but will cut poorly and you'll end up with irritation. In the pic below steep is on the right. I like to place the top of the razor on my face and then tilt it down just until I feel the blade touch my skin, that's the angle. Something like this (but less pressure):
Thank all of you . Actually I can see whats going wrong with my shaves through each of your responses. 1. Im not getting enough lather with areas I go over. Basically been just going off of slickness thats has not really been all that slick . Also My angle is to steep makes sense being I can shave over an area and it not cut but sound like it does .As Planofman said Ive always thought DE shaving was to get you as close as a multi blade???? I do get it close BBS "But" It has been hard and going against the grain everyday (as Im stubborn to learn ) has caused me to enjoy a raw face . Thanks guys Never give up !
That's the spirit. When I compare DE shaving to multi blade cartridges I come to this conclusion. Carts are simpler, easier, quicker, more expensive, make shaving a daily chore, and give me terrible irritation. A DE is not as simple (mainly due to the technique learning curve), takes longer, is generally cheaper, rarely gives me irritation and makes shaving a pleasure. So, if you want quicker and easier, use a cart. Otherwise go DE.
Exactly ! ..... As far as It being cheaper Im afraid all the Junk I "Got" To have is getting kinda pricy. If your going to do this who can go without every kind of killer soap,cream,and products ? Making Man Time great one product at a time !
Interesting. A steep angle will tame an aggressive razor and be highly effective. I've seen many barbers use a steep angle with straight razors, and I have had excellent results with a DEvette using a steep angle. I've also noticed that people who use über aggressive razors like the R41, generally use a steep angle as well. A steep angle also seems to prolong blade life, too. With all that being said, most razors are designed to use a shallow angle.
