Thread: Suggestions on how to Advance

Thanks.

So, if I understand correctly: you are saying that I shouldn't go for lots of passes using various techniques but to pick a technique or two that works best in each area.

Is that correct?

In my opinion that would be correct. For me I attempted multiple passes before I really had a good wtg pass. Now for me I really concentrate on getting a really good wtg pass. I am a noob too. But I have found as I get better and better with the razor the only area I really need a second pass on is my under jaw area and chin. For me after abandoning multiple passes for about a month I found my skills had improved quite a bit to where I had a better understanding of how to attempt the other passes. I get a great ccs now with a daily wtg pass only. On special occasions or when my first pass just goes super well is the only time I do multiple passes.

Multiple pass shaves are overrated in my opinion, I do a BBS every now and then for special occasions , but with a properly honed razor and good lather and technigue( which comes from. Many. Many shaves) you will get a great shave with a WTG and some touch up buffing, and aless chance of razor burn. Don't get me wrong I love doing the whole thing , but daily shaving has found me happy without all the different directions , and you can only tell by rubbing my face , and the wife hasn't complained. Tc

Originally Posted by PaBlum

Thanks.

So, if I understand correctly: you are saying that I shouldn't go for lots of passes using various techniques but to pick a technique or two that works best in each area.

Is that correct?

Well sort of, you really want to get comfortable with the basics, then slowly introduce new things. You can just go for broke, but it will be harder to remember what does and doesn't work, best angles etc.
Once you are happy with your with the grain pass then give an across or against the grain pass a try on the easy sections of your face, then move on to the trickier bits, then try the more technical strokes and so forth much like learning any fine motor skills.

So I suppose the short answer is yes

You need to map out your beard. Everyone has a different growth pattern. Once you figure out yours then you will know what type of strokes you need to get the kind of shave you want.

Don't rush things. As you gain facility with the razor the difficult strokes will just come by themselves and seem easy. If you are doing a stroke and you feel really ham handed doing it that is a sign you are not ready for it.

You can also practice these strokes using a butter knife or an eboy special with the edge taken off.

I use a shavette with blade removed to practice my strokes. Thanks, all!

BLOOD, BLOOD EVERYWHERE!

That should get your attention. The following is why I should be named Turkey of the Week!

Yesterday morning, I just practiced my normal shave routine, not adding anything but being mindful of technique.

All went well, I thought.

So, i turned to my strop and gave the blade 40 round trips, my normal routine.

I turned back to the sink, wiped the blade, and then snapped it shut. OUCH! I wasn't paying attention to the position of my left hand (I'm right handed) and as the blade snapped shut, it sliced through the skin of my left index finger!

Blood everywhere! Luckily no artery or other serious thing was cut, but the pain and the blood took a while to stop. Of course, I felt stupid and was going to nominate myself for turkey of the day.

WAIT! There's more!

I said Turkey of the week, not day, didn't I?

Last night I took off the bandaid (actually the 2nd one as I had changed it) since I knew it was important to let air get to it.

This AM, I went to brush my teeth prior to shaving, and wrapped the floss around (you guessed it) my left index finger!

OUCH! I had forgotten all about the cut. It was now bleeding and in pain again. Now you know why I always buy Neosporin antiseptic with pain reliever in it.

Afterwards, I carefully went through the normal routine, being super careful and I did not add on anything since what happened yesterday and this morning.

Gobble, gobble!

Ouch, usually it is such a clean cut that it heals quickly and I hope that it does. Did you take a photo, if so post it in cut of the day.... With the rest of it, in my opinion take it easy and concentrate on getting a comfortable shave. I found that my technique progressed over a very short time and now after two years, I am getting a DFS with one pass and touch up. Under the neck will always be annoying, if I am on my right side and look up to the left and visa versa the plane of my neck is sort of flat which means I can get a almost XTG pass. My hair tends to grow toward my jaw line on the neck, however there is a little sort of crown in the middle of my neck where hair changes direction all over the place, that seems to have sort itself out now. I left the extreme experimenting for holidays where I could leave my beard to grow if it went a bit pair shaped.

Hi Paul

You have probably done this but I would map your beard so you know the direction of hair growth. This knowledge will be used to decide which stroke will be best. Like Ed said, knowing where the larger areas with a consistent growth pattern are located will indicate the place to start WTG.

As for me, I do almost no Against The Grain. My 66 year old skin does not like being assaulted in that manner. Once you get this shaving with a SR down, a one pass shave will probably serve your needs. YMMV

My 66 year old skin turns 67 later this month. I've been kind of nervous about ATG so it may be better that I stay away from it. Something to think about. I suspect that i may have to skip a day shaving to better see which way the hair wants to grow,