Thread: Face is on fire!

Just used my straight razor for the third time. I tried to do a pass over my chin and neck but something must have gone wrong. I'm using a brand new J.A. Henckels twin beauty razor that says it is "shave ready". I've gone over it with a leather strop about 30 or so passes before each shave, with some extra passes during the shave. It feels like my face has been microwaved. Also, I have very coarse facial hair.

Welcome to SRP. Can you let us know where you purchased the razor? Advertised as shave ready doesn't always mean shave ready. Also it may be your technique thats causing the irritation.

Welcome srp.
Please don't use any pressure while you shave. Shave ready blade will shave hairs without putting pressure to the blade or making 3-4 strokes in same location.
Try make small strokes (don't look videos which people uses straight razor. they have been using this long time and their face get used to etc) watch only teaching videos they will help.
lastly be patient.
gl

Thanks guys, nice to be here.
I purchased the razor at a place called knife works in Gatlinburg, TN. It's a two story retail store specializing in blades. They had some cheap straight razors as well, but I knew to steer clear of those. It was brand new, still wrapped in plastic and in a case. I've heard Henckels is a good brand, so I jumped at the chance to get one for a first razor.

Welcome to SRP.
First up let your face heal & then try again. It's a bit of a lucky dip as to whether factory edges are shave ready but .... If you "have" to use pressure the razor's not shave ready or you are using an overly broad angle & scraping the skin.
If you "have" to strop it during the shave it may also not be shave ready.
If you have stropped it "heavily" or lifted the spine in a stroke it may no longer be shave ready.
You probably also need to pay a lot of attention to prep & lather having a coarse beard.
Lots of variables but they can all be addressed. Sending it out for assessment &/or honing is an easy variable to clear up. The shaving & stropping is up to you Hang in there.

Henckels is a good brand, but you need that razor honed by a professional. Unless one of the guys in that shop shaves and hones his own razor, I'd turn to the member services section under the classifieds here.

Welcome to SRP.

+1 on all previous advice. It is all very good.

My first recommendation would be to make sure it is honed to the point of being 'shave ready'. Many members here can help you with this.

My second recommendation would be to have at least two razors. Both honed by a pro. This will enable you to compare and contrast the many differing variables that will affect your shave.

Thirdly... rest your face for a couple of days.

Fourth... buy some good soap. Tabac, Mitchells Wool Fat or even Palmolive shave stick are crackers and provide a luxurious cushion. This helped my shaves improve dramatically.

Five. Keep going. Shave as much as you can and you will see results that will inspire you to go further.

Good luck.

Mykel

+10 on all the responses so far.

If you used a cartridge before, the tendency will be to use to much pressure so REALLY watch that. Also I used hair conditioner on my beard when I first was learning (put it on and let it sit for a bit, wash off and lather), that will soften it up quite a bit and make things go better at first. At least it did for me.

"Somebody call 911..there's fire burning in the face......o,,,,,,,,o.face is burning..face is burning..." welcome to the club.When you get the thing done right later,you will cherish this moment.We all went thro' somekind of fire just like you,Happy new year

Welcome to SRP.

Shave ready from the factory isn't usually shave ready.
The Wiki has some good info regarding this.

Find one of the honing pros that have been around for a while and knows how to hone a razor.
Hint: Look in our Classifieds.