Thread: Noob advice? Stubble 1 hour later.

When I shaved this morning I noticed something consistent between this 'I resharpened my razor' shave and the other shaves I've taken in this new world. I'm delightfully wonderfully smooth after I shave.

But as I drive work, my face becomes noticeably stubblier. And it's demonstrably time based. When I get in my car, I'm still pretty good. But by the time I get to the office, I can feel lots of stubble.

Clearly, this is user error. Is it more likely to be error in face prep? The shave? The (lack of) post shave treatment? All three? Where I should I go look first? Note that I don't have this issue with the cartridge razors, so I knows it's technique and not biology.

Do you shave against the grain? Makes a difference on the cheeks.

A bit more info would be helpful. Are the razors you are using freshly honed by a pro or have they all been touched up by yourself? How many passes did you do?

Bob

A great shave need a few things. A shave ready edge, good technique and proper prep. The prep can be under stellar and still deliver. The razor and technique have to be spot on. Stretching is big for a good shave. I cold shave and I believe it gives a closer shave, but I have no evidence scientific or otherwise other than my experience with it. And one other thing that is big is experience. You can only get it by doing it.

SS, yes I shave atg everywhere I can get the right angle.

Bob, this is my first razor. When it arrived it was "shave ready". Last night I rehoned it and, while it isn't as good as it was, it's 'good enough'. I noticed this issue from the very first shave onward.

Okay. I'll try cold shaving. I'm not really stretching--I haven't figured out the whole slippery face/fingers thing. I DID discover lathering on face this morning, and that was cool.

Originally Posted by jgjgjg

Bob, this is my first razor. When it arrived it was "shave ready". Last night I rehoned it and, while it isn't as good as it was, it's 'good enough'. I noticed this issue from the very first shave onward.

Why would you hone a shave ready razor? I know...we all get excited '-)

Shave ready is vital, without that firm base, too many variables can enter the picture.

Stretching the skin is also very important, from stretching the skin above the side-burn area for the WTG pass to pulling the skin around the ear back for a XTG pass on the cheeks.

Shave ready blade, stretching, and good technique are all fundamentals...I cold shave, but started hot shaving, I think whichever method is a matter of personal choice, all require the fundamentals....good luck and be patient!

Originally Posted by Phrank

Why would you hone a shave ready razor? I know...we all get excited '-)

I had shaved with it 10 or 12 times. Being green, my stropping technique is not what it should be, and so the razor go to where it wouldn't cut. But, even with the first shave, this was an issue.

I've been working through the issues one thing at a time. First was to get comfortable enough to shave without throat-cutting paranoia (check). Second was how get a decent lather (check). Third was some guidance on trouble spots (check). Then came honing. I won't call that 'check', but the guys here helped me diagnose a bent spine. Me and my 140 gr Atoma stone got that worked out. Last night I got a hone that I won't call "check", but I will call it 'good enough for government work'. That will come over time. I haven't asked about 'how not to knick my strop' as the Wiki covers that and it's practice. So now I'm down on my list to this question.

Do cartridge razor geometries have the net effect of stretching the skin for you? I'm trying to figure why I don't get this w/mach 3 but do with a straight.

Also...how DO you stretch the skin with everything all soapy wet lathery? I'm concerned about losing my grip at exactly the wrong moment.