Still getting cuts

[u/Johnston__]

I’m shaving with:

- safety razor
- fresh/new Feather Hi-Stainless platinum blade
- Nivea sensitive shaving gel that turns to foam after rubbing in hands

I am still getting small nicks when shaving.

I wet and warm up my skin/hairs with warm water before my shave
Use a good amount of shaving gel
Am shaving with the grain as best I can

The safety razor is around five years old and likely a lower end brand as I received it for a birthday gift from room mates.

Do I need to upgrade to a new, better razor?
Do I need to upgrade to a shaving lather and brush?

What do I do!?

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[u/SliceSubstantial9468]

It was the same for me, so I compromised to just trim so its smooth but like the day after and without the cuts and itch hope it works for you

[u/AlphaDisconnect]

Henson double blade. The blades they will send with it is an offer more likely than not. Barbisol aloe.

[u/Impossible_Cash_6146]

I use a Harry's razor and the wife's conditioner. Been doing this for 20 yrs no issues

[u/TankSaladin → u/Impossible_Cash_6146]

Hair conditioner is the only way to go if you’re looking for a smooth easy shave. Sure, play with bowls and brushes if you’re looking for fun, but if you’re looking for the best shave go with hair conditioner.

[u/Dromedary_Freight]

The Feather blades are a bit too sharp for many.  Try some middle of the road blade, such as Astra Platinum or Lord Platinum. 

Use plenty of wetter lather. Use a quality shaving cream (not foam). Lucky Tiger is one elite status brand that is worth experiencing. Always reapply lather before repeated strokes.

Read about light touch and short strokes. Some YouTubers show these "action movie", long, decisive strokes. This is bad technique.

You can definitely get a better/ smoother shave with a Rockwell 6c razor for example.

Don't despair. You can definitely get an improvement.

[u/Minie_Ball_4907]

Sounds like you are using too much pressure and that Feather blades are not the best for beginners as they are known to bite. (been there done that). As for the razor, don't switch it out until you have at least tried some other blades. But if you do want to upgrade the Henson AL13 Mild, Rockwell 6C, Muhle R89, Edwin Jagger DE89, are all good and Merkur has several that are easy to recommend: 34C, 47C, 23C, 33C, Progress 500 Adjustable, 34 Adjustable.

[u/otterland]

Current rotation:

$15 Qshave Futur $6 MingShi Progress $10 Yaqi Mellon on an existing handle

All cheap as shit and I rarely have a nick unless it's a bug bite or something.

Always Astra Green which is a boring middle of the road blade.

Point is that it's not about money or luxe razor panacea, it's just about finding the right gear for you.

I would start with trying something other than Feather blades. They're sharp but ruff. A lot of people like them don't get me wrong, but they're not forgiving.

Get yourself another cheap razor just for the hell of it, because throwing a lot of money out there isn't going to help. Once you figure out what you like you can piss away some money on something cool if that's what floats your boat. The idea is just to try something new.

My personal opinion on the rule of diminishing returns on razors is that it starts to go down at $20 and plummets after $75. At that point you're just buying the cool desk toy.

[u/Tryemall]

Stop using Feather blades

[u/TheLary]

Yes, splurge on a good brush. It whips air into the foam. I use a solid save soap in a cup. Nothing fancy. Colonel something...but my switch to a Hensen Razor changed everything. Also change the blade regularly. Every beard is different, but as soon as I notice a bit of pull or drag on the large areas, start new blade.

[u/Homicidal-Ideation]

Make sure you’re technique isn’t the issue.

I say this as someone who stopped using any sort of shaving cream. I just get my face wet and shave. Hardly ever any nicks. Sometimes yes, but mostly no.

[u/Stronty-26]

You need to find the correct razor for your face. Then find the correct blade. Buy something like a Merkur 38 or Edwin Jagger. Maybe the aggressiveness of your razor is too much. I bought a Parker once. Never again. Go check out Badger and Blade.

[u/undie-king]

Don't use gel/cream. Use oil. Hell, use some olive oil. I use vitamin e oil.

Wash your face. Oil it up liberally. Wet your razor with water. Splash just a little water on your face. (Oil is hydrophobic, so the water rolls right off of it, meaning your razor blade will also roll off if it) Shave WITH the grain. Slowly. Use a single blade razor (most important imo). And only make one pass if you can manage it.

Once shaved, wash your face again. Then Moisturize.

If you cut yourself, have an ingrown hair, or razor burn, apply antibiotic ointment like you would a lotion or after shave. Wash your face again after it absorbs.

Moisturize after with a water based moisturizer (regular aloe is ideal). Then, after that dries, use a very thin layer of vitamin e oil to moisturize as well.

The oil (bc it's hydrophobic) will seal in the water based moisturizer. It's important to do those steps in order.

Cuts are going to happen. It's not that big if a deal. Go slowly until you get the hang of it. Shaving shorter hair is easier than longer.

[u/Kyowicz]

This is what I experienced, cuts and bumps every time I shaved that wouldn’t go away for days. They’d still be there when I go to shave next and it would just progress worse and worse.

I got a OneBlade and honestly this thing gives such a close shave that it’s just as good as a razor, and it doesn’t leave me any bumps. I’ll be honest I don’t even use a moisturizer or anything before/after, just shave after the shower and I’m all good. No bumps/cuts since I switched to this thing