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Steve's Journal: The Saga Continues....
- Thread starter SteveChuckFrank
- Start date
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
I don't mind feeling the irritation, it's more the way it looks that really bothers me. The red bumps aren't very flattering lol.
It does for me - I can't use it at all.
BTW, have you tried some unrefined shea butter, at night, on that problem neck area?
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
I haven't tried that but I might give it a shot next time. Thanks for the tip!
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
Journal Entry #12
Last night I used the last of the K Shave Worx Frazzled Kilt. I probably could have squeezed one more shave out of it, but I'm anxious to move on to the WSP Ol' Kentucky so I loaded the brush pretty heavy and it used it all up.
The only thing I switched up tonight was the blade. After the irritation issues I've had the last few nights, I thought maybe a new blade was in order. I went with a Shark which I have used in the past with relatively good success. Not the case last night....
I'm not sure if I got a bad blade or what, but I ended up with some bloodbloss and irritation in spots I usually don't have any issues with.
I also noticed them last 2 blades o loaded in my Stirling DE (still needs a cool nickname) "popped" into place. In other words when tightening the razor head in place with the blade inserted, the blade doesn't just flex until tightened and then stop. It flexes, pauses, then pops to the final position. It's hard to explain so that might not make sense but I'm not sure how else to describe it. Not sure if this is causing an issue or if doesn't really make a difference.
Either way, unused a very shallow angle. Riding the cap as was suggested. I could feel the blade biting and even in a few cases pulling the hair. This makes me think the blade was just a dud.
I had weepers galore but they all closed up easily, and the actual razor burn and bumps were minimal. Much less than the last few days. So I'm thinking the issue was just too steep of an angle. It worked once so I ran with it, but I guess I need to go back to a much shallower angle.
Needless to say I threw that Shark out. Tonight I'll have some decisions to make:
Change razor or continue to stick with the Stirling.
Choose a new blade to use.
Decisions, decisions....
Last night I used the last of the K Shave Worx Frazzled Kilt. I probably could have squeezed one more shave out of it, but I'm anxious to move on to the WSP Ol' Kentucky so I loaded the brush pretty heavy and it used it all up.
The only thing I switched up tonight was the blade. After the irritation issues I've had the last few nights, I thought maybe a new blade was in order. I went with a Shark which I have used in the past with relatively good success. Not the case last night....
I'm not sure if I got a bad blade or what, but I ended up with some bloodbloss and irritation in spots I usually don't have any issues with.
I also noticed them last 2 blades o loaded in my Stirling DE (still needs a cool nickname) "popped" into place. In other words when tightening the razor head in place with the blade inserted, the blade doesn't just flex until tightened and then stop. It flexes, pauses, then pops to the final position. It's hard to explain so that might not make sense but I'm not sure how else to describe it. Not sure if this is causing an issue or if doesn't really make a difference.
Either way, unused a very shallow angle. Riding the cap as was suggested. I could feel the blade biting and even in a few cases pulling the hair. This makes me think the blade was just a dud.
I had weepers galore but they all closed up easily, and the actual razor burn and bumps were minimal. Much less than the last few days. So I'm thinking the issue was just too steep of an angle. It worked once so I ran with it, but I guess I need to go back to a much shallower angle.
Needless to say I threw that Shark out. Tonight I'll have some decisions to make:
Change razor or continue to stick with the Stirling.
Choose a new blade to use.
Decisions, decisions....
Hmm...sorry to hear it was a frustrating shave. Good decision to bin the blade, they are relatively inexpensive, so no big loss there. I would keep the set-up the same (sans soap) and see if the next blade is better for you using the same technique.
Not sure what the deal is with the blade "popping" into place.
Not sure what the deal is with the blade "popping" into place.
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
Yeah, like I said the "popping" is hard to explain. It's almost like as it's settling in to place it gets stuck, then is almost forced to continue to its final position. Everything looks fine once it's all tightened up though, so I don't think it's really causing an issue.
I would just make sure that it's not the blade edge that is getting caught somewhere...nothing worse than trying to shave with a foil/rolled edge.
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
I am glad that you has less irritation this go around. Agreed that it was probably a dud blade.
It does sound like you are improving. Keep calm and shave on!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This!
It does sound like you are improving. Keep calm and shave on!
Bad blades do happen. Is this the 1st blade that you've noticed doing the "popping" with this razor? Have you gotten good shaves with this blade in another razor, or before with this razor? Could be this razor just doesn't play well with this blade.
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
This is the second blade I've noticed the popping with. The last Astra blade I used did the same thing.
I've gotten good results with the Sharks in my Fatboy, but it's the first time I've used one with this razor.
This razor has been my best performer since I got it.
Now that I think about it, the popping started on the last blade (Astra SP) and that's when everything started going downhill.
I've gotten good results with the Sharks in my Fatboy, but it's the first time I've used one with this razor.
This razor has been my best performer since I got it.
Now that I think about it, the popping started on the last blade (Astra SP) and that's when everything started going downhill.
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
Journal Entry #13
Out of frustration and desperation, I went against the Golden rule and changed everything but the brush tonight.
I probably shouldn't have....
Pre shave: hot shower, WSP barbershop soap on the beard at the end of the shower
Shave: Razorock tech II loaded with a Feather Hi Stainless blade, Kingsley pure badger brush, WSP Ol' Kentucky soap
Post shave: cold water rinse, alum, cold water rinse, witch hazel, Stirling SDM AS
Using my version of the 4 Pass Shave, I took my time and applied what I thought was no pressure at all. I also backed off the angle so much that I had to readjust because I wasn't cutting anything.
I was thinking this was going to be a pretty good shave until after the first pass. I could already see the bumps.
The blood came during the second pass. Nothing major, just weepers. But there were a lot. 3 on the neck. 1 on the 'stache. 2 on the left cheek, one on the right. Only the mustache weeper needed styptic, the rest closed up with the alum....which lit my face on fire.
The witch hazel promptly calmed everything down. Until the aftershave came. It was by far the worst burn I've ever felt after shaving.
This is the result about 15 minutes after I finished up:
I know that this will calm itself down after a few hours, and tomorrow shouldn't really look that bad. But it hasn't been this bad since I first started. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong at this point.
Out of frustration and desperation, I went against the Golden rule and changed everything but the brush tonight.
I probably shouldn't have....
Pre shave: hot shower, WSP barbershop soap on the beard at the end of the shower
Shave: Razorock tech II loaded with a Feather Hi Stainless blade, Kingsley pure badger brush, WSP Ol' Kentucky soap
Post shave: cold water rinse, alum, cold water rinse, witch hazel, Stirling SDM AS
Using my version of the 4 Pass Shave, I took my time and applied what I thought was no pressure at all. I also backed off the angle so much that I had to readjust because I wasn't cutting anything.
I was thinking this was going to be a pretty good shave until after the first pass. I could already see the bumps.
The blood came during the second pass. Nothing major, just weepers. But there were a lot. 3 on the neck. 1 on the 'stache. 2 on the left cheek, one on the right. Only the mustache weeper needed styptic, the rest closed up with the alum....which lit my face on fire.
The witch hazel promptly calmed everything down. Until the aftershave came. It was by far the worst burn I've ever felt after shaving.
This is the result about 15 minutes after I finished up:
I know that this will calm itself down after a few hours, and tomorrow shouldn't really look that bad. But it hasn't been this bad since I first started. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong at this point.
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
That is some nasty razor rash. You might consider adding something like Nivea Sensitive PSB (https://www.niveausa.com/products/sensitive-post-shave-balm-721408130620079.html) to your post-shave regimen. I use it after every shave between witch hazel and AS splash.
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
I've seen this at the local pharmacy, I'll definitely pick some up. I really need to figure out how to not get this burn everytime though!
It's the very one you sent me Chris! And yes, the burn is bad. Like I said, no idea what I'm doing wrong here. I'm very lost at this point.
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
Any suggestions on how to eliminate the burn???