Thread: Hair to Coarse for WTG?

Originally Posted by FranfC

Shaun has given you very good advise, I think my first really good shave came at about #38 or there a bouts. Been at it almost a year now and I'm still learning new things that make my shave better, I think that is part of what I love about this.
If it was easy I would get bored.
Just try to have fun with it, the shaves will get better the more you shave and practice the skills.

Thanks FranfC! Can't stress enough how great it is to hear from others that this process takes time.

All great advice here, aside from practice, knowing how your beard grows, and proper stretching, at this stage of the game beard preparation is very important as well.

While I usually just splash cold water on my face, lather up and shave, at the beginning beard prep and properly hydrating your beard was vital to a good shave.

I used to use Proraso Pre-Shave, the Green or White jar, great stuff, but heavily scented, so unless you're using the corresponding Proraso soap, I found it destroyed the scent of whatever soap I was using. Pre-shave oils are good as well, but many tended to not really work for me, and gunk up my brush as well.

Obie mentioned that he uses Castle Forbes Unscented Pre-Shave Oil, I got some of this a month or so ago, and it is superb. Doesn't gunk up my brush, really hydrates and lifts the whiskers, and simply provides a very luxurious shaving experience. Made my shaves just that much more enjoyable.

Something you may want to consider...hope this helps....

Originally Posted by Phrank

All great advice here, aside from practice, knowing how your beard grows, and proper stretching, at this stage of the game beard preparation is very important as well.

While I usually just splash cold water on my face, lather up and shave, at the beginning beard prep and properly hydrating your beard was vital to a good shave.

I used to use Proraso Pre-Shave, the Green or White jar, great stuff, but heavily scented, so unless you're using the corresponding Proraso soap, I found it destroyed the scent of whatever soap I was using. Pre-shave oils are good as well, but many tended to not really work for me, and gunk up my brush as well.

Obie mentioned that he uses Castle Forbes Unscented Pre-Shave Oil, I got some of this a month or so ago, and it is superb. Doesn't gunk up my brush, really hydrates and lifts the whiskers, and simply provides a very luxurious shaving experience. Made my shaves just that much more enjoyable.

Something you may want to consider...hope this helps....

Thanks Phrank! Yeah my lathers aren't great right now but I have seen improvement over the last couple of shaves. Right after my shower I shave. I use hot water to lift the whiskers so it's interesting to hear someone use cold water. Thanks for the advice man.

It took me about 40 shaves to not need a safety razor touch-up afterwards. As others have said, watch your angle, it should be barely off your face to start with until you find the sweet spot. Also stretching is very important as is a really good prep. You should start seeing real improvements by 20 shaves give or take.

Originally Posted by rodb

It took me about 40 shaves to not need a safety razor touch-up afterwards. As others have said, watch your angle, it should be barely off your face to start with until you find the sweet spot. Also stretching is very important as is a really good prep. You should start seeing real improvements by 20 shaves give or take.

Thanks! I'm going to really focus on my stretching. A lot of people have mentioned that to me.

Keep on practicing as it sounds like you haven't figured out the combination yet. Close though.
Mapping hair growth is a great help and so is the technique as well. I found hot water works better for me than cold, also running a little hot water on the blade before I start seems to make a difference for me. I usually do two passes, one with grain and one across it. There are two places on my neck that I found I have to use a combination arched and scything stroke to catch. Just keep at it and you will figure it out eventually. Just be sure you pay attention as you do so that you can repeat it the next time.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Don't forget a low blade angle. It should only be a 1 1/2 to 2 spine widths off your face.

to help get the ange correct, place one finger beind the spine then your finger wiith the blade against your cheeck, then the blade should be very close if not at the right angle , try to make a pass with it, if it feels like your about to cut your face off then angle the spine away from your your head. If your not removing much then bring the spin closer to your head.
remember, do not make a sawing mothion, and lather, if you don't have enough cushion you can feel a tug or a burn feel from your shave
also remember beard reduction not beard removal(don't try to take all hair in one pass).

Originally Posted by technoid

Keep on practicing as it sounds like you haven't figured out the combination yet. Close though.
Mapping hair growth is a great help and so is the technique as well. I found hot water works better for me than cold, also running a little hot water on the blade before I start seems to make a difference for me. I usually do two passes, one with grain and one across it. There are two places on my neck that I found I have to use a combination arched and scything stroke to catch. Just keep at it and you will figure it out eventually. Just be sure you pay attention as you do so that you can repeat it the next time.

I have started to really pay attention to my hair growth. I never really cared about it with my Mach 3 but I have now. I'm gonna try the cold water at least once to see what affect it has. Thanks for the advice.

As said above it is beard reduction. Most of us make multiple passes in various combinations using various strokes to get to our desired shaving goals. Keep at it and in time and practice if will come together

Some good shaving videos to develop your technique.

Best How to Shave with a Straight Razor Tutorial for Beginners Straight Razor Designs.com - YouTube

http://youtu.be/r24ar_SSGVo

http://youtu.be/XIM0Coix6Gg