I always nick my neck area, multiple times today. It's only my second time using DE though so hoping I improve with time and practice. Have you tried a softer blade for the sensitive areas? I was using a feather blade today but might use a milder blade for the neck next time.

Feathers are a bit much for a DE newbie. They left my face red raw and I haven't tried them since
 
Are

you are going against the grain on pass 1?
I suppose I am, but it works for my face, hardly any rash or pain.

If I've let it grow a bit, I did the first and last pass with a shavette. On my weekly head shave, shavette then DE.

If you're after something less aggressive than a Feather, try 7 O'clock sharpedge.

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No rash or pain would be it working for your face.
Compared to electric or multiblade, it is night and day.

I only get pain if I've hurried or let the blade get too old.

When I first got a DE, it took a couple of weeks before the normal rash disappeared, an that was with a plastic razor. Now I've got decent gear, good soap and more experience, I shavd more often with very little problems.

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Well a good technique is the key, but how not to shred yourself while you learn?
One thing that can happen as a new DE shaver is that you can tend to just bang the razor down onto your skin after each pass. Well not 'bang' as in a hammer blow, but if you don't control the contact point and have a soft landing then you can get cuts.
Blade choices you made are not good. Merkur and Derby. Tried them years ago and rank them just above Bolzano...nasty horrible blunt things shaped like a razor blade. Try some Russian made Gillettes (Greens, Yellows, Silver Blues, Platinum, Sputnik, plus Astra Blue or Green). I use a variety of them and Feathers too. They suit most people.
Soap...tried lots (over 50 years wet shaving now). Used Razorock soaps for years but had mainly mild razors (Mamba, NEW LC, Super Speed, Fatboy, Slim 'Twist', etc), then I bought a Fatip Special Edition and the shortcomings of my soap collection showed itself. Plus, I have a timeless OC .95 on the way and a NEW SC too (yeah, I got carried away on ebay)..
Upgrade to soaps needed...tried that Body Shop 'Maca Root and Aloe Vera' this morning. Wow...indeed an excellent product. Have now binned the remainder of the RR stuff.
Also now have D R Harris 'Arlington', Haslinger Coconut, and Vegetale soap (Vitos).
So get some better blades (look at Razor Blade Club for some good choices), and get some decent soaps (you really, really need more than one soap...well, that's what I tell the Missus).
At 71 my skin will be way different to yours of course, and what suits me may not suit others. But please do get better blades and some nice soap that 'slides and glides'.
 
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Yikes that looks sore. Stick with it.

I only use vegan soaps and creams myself. It does rule out a lot of the fancy artisan soaps but there are plenty tallow and lanolin free products out there. I can recommend nanny's, fitjar, razorock saturnia (the majority of razorock soap is not vegan but this one strangely is), dr Harris. I have another couple in the post too.

I've heard that the soap you have is not really capable of creating a thick enough lather for face shaving. I considered buying it myself actually but after seeing the ingredients I decided against it. Having a face full of thick, slick lather is really necessary for an irritation free shave.

For your razor angle, hold the razor to your face with the handle facing the floor, then tilt it a little until you can feel it cutting or scraping. No pressure should be applied, the weight of your razor and the sharpness of the blade does the work. Good luck!

Eh just realised this is an old thread! How have you been progressing?
 
Body Shop's Maca Root Shave cream. It's vegan and is an excellent performer. Try finding it when on offer as it often is.
Agreed on others' great advice here.
+1 on the body shops Maca root. I used it with my straight razors and still use it for my DE. Looks painful mate. A lighter touch and check your shave angle. I am trying new blades myself although I have had no nicks or cuts. Just take your time and enjoy the self pamper. Good luck.
 
Yikes that looks sore. Stick with it.

I only use vegan soaps and creams myself. It does rule out a lot of the fancy artisan soaps but there are plenty tallow and lanolin free products out there. I can recommend nanny's, fitjar, razorock saturnia (the majority of razorock soap is not vegan but this one strangely is), dr Harris. I have another couple in the post too.

I've heard that the soap you have is not really capable of creating a thick enough lather for face shaving. I considered buying it myself actually but after seeing the ingredients I decided against it. Having a face full of thick, slick lather is really necessary for an irritation free shave.

For your razor angle, hold the razor to your face with the handle facing the floor, then tilt it a little until you can feel it cutting or scraping. No pressure should be applied, the weight of your razor and the sharpness of the blade does the work. Good luck!

Eh just realised this is an old thread! How have you been progressing?
Just realised it's an old post also.
 
Thanks guys! I'll try a different blade next time (once my neck has stopped being sore :eek::rolleyes:!)

The Friendly Soap company mainly make standard soap bars - and they are brilliant, as is their shampoo bar. I've used the shaving bar before with cartridges razors, but perhaps it's not up to the task for a proper DE shave (or more likely my technique is appalling!)

It was a couple of days growth, and I took a look before I started, but my hair on my neck grows in all different directions depending on which part of my neck it is :rolleyes:

I'll have to re-learn everything I know about shaving! :D

I use Friendly Soap shampoo and it's great, the best shampoo bar out there, I switched to bars about the same time as I ditched cartridges (about 5 years ago) in an effort to reduce plastic waste and being ripped off by the marketing men. However, Friendly Shaving Soap is sh't, there is no other way to describe it, it might work fine I guess on a lady's leg with fine hair, but your beard is coarse and needs a slick cushion of leather, not an insipid airy foam.
 
Hello,

Today I have just embarked upon my first ever DE shave. All I can say is ouch!

Firstly, the kit:

Merkur 23C with one included Merkur blade.
The Friendly Soap Co shaving bar
Synthetic brush (I'm a vegan)
Bowl to lather

I've watched lots of videos and read plenty of advice, so I was expecting my first DE shave (and, incidentally, my first wet shave in years) to be, well, difficult.

Ordinarily I use a Braun 3040s electric shaver which, while not perfect, does the job. Prior to this I used the cartridge style razors (Wilkinson Sword Titanium with five blades.) The cartridges left me a little red, but not bloody, hence switching to the electric shaver.

It's not cut anywhere near as close as I was expecting. Though my cheeks are better than my neck, but still scratchy. But it looks as if I've taken a bread knife to my neck, and I'm now very sore.

I suspect this may partially be down to my technique, and partially due to the soap. No matter what I did, the lather disappeared rather quickly.

Have a look at the attached photos, and tell me - is that normal for my first time?! Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, did your shave get better?

Thanks all!
Shit mate it what a mess !
I'm sure these guys will get you going in the right direction
or before you need a blood transfusion ;)
take it easy mate
Paul
 
Hello,

Today I have just embarked upon my first ever DE shave. All I can say is ouch!

Firstly, the kit:

Merkur 23C with one included Merkur blade.
The Friendly Soap Co shaving bar
Synthetic brush (I'm a vegan)
Bowl to lather

I've watched lots of videos and read plenty of advice, so I was expecting my first DE shave (and, incidentally, my first wet shave in years) to be, well, difficult.

Ordinarily I use a Braun 3040s electric shaver which, while not perfect, does the job. Prior to this I used the cartridge style razors (Wilkinson Sword Titanium with five blades.) The cartridges left me a little red, but not bloody, hence switching to the electric shaver.

It's not cut anywhere near as close as I was expecting. Though my cheeks are better than my neck, but still scratchy. But it looks as if I've taken a bread knife to my neck, and I'm now very sore.

I suspect this may partially be down to my technique, and partially due to the soap. No matter what I did, the lather disappeared rather quickly.

Have a look at the attached photos, and tell me - is that normal for my first time?! Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, did your shave get better?

Thanks all!
Hi, I'd high hopes for the soap you used but it was hopeless! Try Haslinger coconut or sheep's milk. Fab creamy lather.
 
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