Thread: DE Shave issues

Good day all,

First a little bit of background, I have been shaving with a DE razor for about a year now. I was having a great time with it and getting ready to move into a real straight when I decided to shave my goatee and go bald faced for a while. Since then I have had huge issues trying to figure out how to shave my chin and upper lip. The hair seems much coarser and tougher to cut and my DE seems to skip alone my skin when I am going ATG especially on my upper lip and the curves of my chin. This leads to an uncomfortable shaving experience and definite razor burn and cuts. I also have little bumps popping up along the sides of my chin during the shave, they feel like goosebumps and they cause me to not get the close shave that I am used to. Am I doing something wrong? Are disposable blades not sharp enough for the task? Any help would be much appreciated. I am using a parker DE razor, and have tried both shaving soap and cream and tried pre-shave oil to try and soften the whiskers on my lip and chin.

If the skin under the goatee has not seen a razor in years then it may take awhile for it to get used to the blade for starters. The chin and upper lip are the two most difficult areas to shave for most people. Chin hair and upper lip hair are some of the toughest hair on the face and not as easy to cut as the cheeks. I am guessing at the upper lip as I have a stash.

ATG on the chin bulb I draw my lip back over my lower teeth, point my chin up and pull down on the skin of my neck below the chin to stretch the skin. Using short strokes I do the chin bulb. Once that is done I put my tongue over my lower teeth to the skin from the chin bulb to the lower lip and do that section Using short strokes. Can't say about the upper lip. Doing the chin ATG takes a lot of practice and experimentation. Keeping the right angle on the blade and adjusting it as you go around the curves to maintain the proper angle is difficult so I use the short strokes and very light/no pressure on the blade. A good lather and sharp blade really help also.

DE blades are definitely up to the task. You could try a sampler pack of different blades to see if any work better than what you are using now. Although I think the main problem is to get your technique dialed in for dealing with those problem areas. Best of luck to you.

Bob

+1 to if you haven't shaved the chin in a while,, I had a goatee forever before now and it took a couple of weeks for my chin too get used to the blade be patient and take it slow and don't go for a 3 pass till its ready tc

+1 to trying different blades. i found that Feather was the brand that worked the best for my chin area. once i switched to a straight it was finding the right technique that made it possible to shave the chin.

All good advice above and yes, Feathers at least for me are the sharpest smoothest blades going.

I would suggest that you try a WTG and then ATG on the chin and upper lip. That is what I do and I have perpetually tender skin on my chin and mouth area. If you have skipping then that is another issue and usually means that you aren't ready for the XTG / skin isn't stretched / dull blade / no cushion from your soap or cream but probably the first one. This is a reduction not one swipe removal of the stiff hair and remember, NO Pressure and short strokes.

For me personally the oil is a waste and here is why especially if you have stiff hair. Oil covered hair cannot absorb water and water is what makes the hair softer. Soap cuts the oil and will provide enough slick cushion by itself, so try washing your face beforehand in the shower with soap and then lather up and give it a moment to "do it's thing". Other people swear by oil, but that is my story and I will stick to it.

Will N.

Thank you all for your advice, I ordered some new feather blades. I had been feeling like maybe my other blades weren't as sharp as they could be. I also ordered an alum bar to try and toughen up my face a little bit.

I am thinking about moving onto a full straight razor, I have been looking at straight razor designs and at whipped dog. It's there a preference for either site?

Srd and whipped dog are both great places to buy razors. Srd will sell you a very beautiful very sharp razor. Whipped dog will sell you either a very ugly or pretty razor that is equally as sharp.

Originally Posted by Teknobo

Thank you all for your advice, I ordered some new feather blades. I had been feeling like maybe my other blades weren't as sharp as they could be. I also ordered an alum bar to try and toughen up my face a little bit.

I am thinking about moving onto a full straight razor, I have been looking at straight razor designs and at whipped dog. It's there a preference for either site?

Hey Teknobo,

As said above, anytime you start shaving an area that hasn't seen a razor for awhile, or from electric to blade or vice versa you're going to experience some bumps, ingrown whiskers, etc. for a couple of weeks. Stick with it and the skin will toughen up and adjust. +1 on the Feathers.....sharpest, best blades, IMO, my go to's.

For vendors.......my choice.....SRD!! A little more $'s, but it's new equipment, professionally honed razor with a certificate for a second honing. Customer service, second to none!! They've never disappointed me.

.....and that chin, etc. will toughen up!!

Howard

ATG is the most difficult pass, and often not necessary. Avoid ATG if you are more interested in keeping your skin happy than whiskers cropped.

We shave for appearances. Irritated skin may be obvious for days, whiskers _will_ grow back in hours (the difference between XTG and ATG, may only take minutes). If you don't go nuts buffing stubble, your face and those who look at it may be happier.