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Tomorrow will be my first straight shave. How important is it that the first pass be with the grain? The reason I ask is that under my chin, my hair grows from the left to the right. This seems like it will be tricky to go with the grain and that across the grain will be easier. I'm thinking two passes across the grain in opposite directions, at least until I'm more comfortable with the razor.
Any ideas or opinions will be appreciated.
Mark
If you're razor isn't very very sharp, you'll see why they say to avoid going against the grain on the first pass, it's quite painful.... While i'm relatively new to this whole thing, I've found that for me it's easiest to attack the chin initially in a 'top to bottom' motion, starting from just below the lip and going straight down, then an across motion, as if going from one ear to the other over the chin- the XTG pass is usually not required to get a really close shave here in my experience. In either case, you'll (eventually!) find something that works well for your particular shaving style and direction of growth.
I have a similar problem - the strip of neck directly below my chin grows downwards towards my Adam's apple ("normal" growth) but either side of my neck grows sideways (from the middle of my neck outwards towards my ears). The sides of my neck obviously can couse some trouble, b/c trying to get a with the grain stroke is nearly impossible. What I have tried to do, is rather than going completely against the grain by doing a normal North to South cut, I first do a diagonal pass (i.e. Northwest to Southeast) and then my second pass is a traditional North to South, which is completely against the grain. Paired with some thoughtful stretching, and it seems to work quite well. As with any part of your face, if your straight isn't sharp, you are not going to enjoy it!
Good luck...it took me some time of experimenting to get this down...every once in a while when I have extra time, I try to go about it in a different manner to see if something different works best.
Try your best and let us know how it goes!
It really depends on how sensitive and/or tender your skin is. Under the chin can be a very sensitive or tender area for some guys. In that case it's best to go with the grain, or as close to it, as is reasonably possible. Sometimes it's very hard to go exactly with the grain, so slightly across is ok. With sensitive skin on any part of the face, shaving with a straight razor directly against the grain, especially on the first pass, can cause problems with razor burn and small nicks and is best avoided.
Scott
It also depends on how tough your beard is. I've got a lighter beard and usually skip the WTG pass for most of my beard. Don't fret about it too much, you'll get there. My advice is to give yourself no more than two passes on the first shave anyhow. Your skin will need a few weeks to adjust to the straight razor. Take your time and enjoy yourself.
X
ya all can do what I did in the problem area....grow a goatee ;)
sissy :w ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by MaduroMan_wcp
:HJ
my parole officer has already told me before I put a strait razor to my face I have to have a signed notorized statement that I did it to myself.
her words "I'm not going to jail for your stupidity".
curently using DE and working my way up to strait....as soon as I get at least one of my 3 straits shaving ready...
Well I shaved this morning. I chose to listen to Tony Miller. When I bought my strop, Tony advised me to start off with the cheeks only. So after shaving my cheeks, mustache, and above the chin, I wimped out and used my mach 3 to shave under the chin and neck. Overall, I was happy with the shave, but it felt awkward as hell doing it. More time and practice.
Again a big thanks to Bill Watkins for restoring my razor and sharpening it for me.
edited for spelling
Hi Mark,
Welcome. It is a game of trial and error to get the correct direction. Correct direction may be other than the three or four. I have had same problem below the jaw and kept at it until I solved the problem. Use either hand that gets the correct direction and access. When you finally solve it and get that area bb smooth you will appreciate the result.
Monte
Well, I'm getting more comfortable with the razor and learning which direction to shave where. The razor really lets you know when the grain changes direction. So far the only major nick was a mole I decided to remove this morning. :D
I'm still trying to figure out how to hold the razor to shave from left jawbone to right jawbone under my chin. Do I let the toe run along the neck or do I tip my head way back and have the heel along the neck. Either way the hands don't feel right. I can't be the only one who needs to go across here rather than up and down. Some suggestions for alternate holds would be appreciated
A lot of people find the jawline/neck area difficult, especially ATG as the hair there often grows sideways. As mine does. After a lot of practice (and a couple of nicks), I've found the only way I can gett BBS there is to go ATG with a tricky move.Quote:
Originally Posted by macdiver
My beard grows left to right there, so I start with my razor on the right hand side. I lift my head up and look up to the ceiling and use my left hand to get a strangle-hold around my neck. Then I gently pull down to stretch the entire neck skin area. Combined with looking up, this makes the skin taut and flat (the area from chin to Adam's apple is virtually flat at this point). Now comes the risky part....
I take the razor in my dominant (right) hand, and gently bring it flat to my neck with the edge facing the mid-line. (I bring it flat to my neck because, what with looking upwards to the ceiling, you cannot see in the mirror, so all of this is done by touch and feel -- hence I bring the razor to the skin in as least-risky way as possible.)
Once in place, I then angle the razor to about 20 degrees (flatter than the 30 recommended, but safer!). I then start shaving towards my mid-line, using the entire length of the edge, virtually all of which is in contact with the neck area I have flattened. I can feel and hear the hairs going and I use this feedback to be as careful as possible.
In order to get this angle, I have to adopt a more risky hold on the razor, where the scales and blade are in line. And as I work my way across (and because I have really studied the grain of my beard so I know where to do this), I will move the razor in a sweep, like the hands of a clock, but going anti-clockwise.
Warning: after 2 months of trial and error (sometimes painful errors!) I have come up with this system for the under-chin and neck area. But it is ONLY through really studying how the grain goes on every inch of that area. I knew I had to get the area as flat as possible, and with my particular neck and jaw shape I came to this. It does have its risks since I rely purely on touch feedback, but it works well for me. Your own shape and grain direction will mean this approach might have disastrous consequence, so please do not take it on authority!
What I wanted to illustrate was how I have experimented and come to my own technique for one part of my shave which is focused on my particular shape. EVeryone's is different!
After shaving with the straight for two weeks, I have quit trying to make a 1st pass with the grain and 2nd pass across. I never even tried a true 3rd pass against the grain. Since my beard grows in multiple directions (espcially under the chin), I just couldn't figure out which direction to move the razor to accomplish the above. For the last two days I have been doing the more traditional 1st pass north south and 2nd pass east west and the results have been fewer nicks and less razor burn (particularly on the jawline). Some areas are fairly smooth while other areas not quite so. I think better stretching and a 3rd pass south to north will even this out.
Overall though I am glad I am making the switch. Shaving with the straight has added an element of fun and skill to my boring morning routine.
You need to do what works for you. I see you have done that so that is the way to go..:eek: