Thread: getting that close shave

Ok, I have been using a shavette with feather blades for a month and couldn't get a close shave, I also couldn't stop slicing my face to pieces so I upgraded to a nice little creative edge straight edge (shave ready)

gave this a nice long strop and then went for a shave (only the neck side burns and cheeks) still cant get that close shave though, on the plus I didn't get a single cut.

What should I try to get that close shave?

Cheers

Dan

Get some experience. Nobody gets that close shave at the beginning. Myself, I got no satisfaction for the first 2 months or so, shaving 4 times a week. The cut and nick issues you'll resolve pretty quick, but getting a satisfactory shave won't come for a month or two. But six months in you'll be very, very happy with your progress.

thanks for the advice. Is it just experience? or is the angle of the blade what dictates the closeness of the shave? just so I know what to work on

Angle has a little to do with it. The more obtuse an angle the closer the shave but with that comes skin irritation and nicks. 1-2 spine widths is sort of the rule of thumb. Skin stretching and pressure have more, in my opinion. More stretching less pressure. Also, are you doing just a with the grain pass? If so try across the grain after your with the grain pass.

Angle of blade and pressure both affect the closeness of the shave, but much more they affect the comfort of the shave. I try to keep the spine close (not touching) to the skin. This works well for the second pass, but on the first pass, in the thick stubble on my chin, the blade will lift off my face. (That's with my own honed razors. I have a couple honed by professionals that just about melt the stubble off.) That is why we do multiple passes.

Light pressure, taut (stretched) skin, slick lather, sharp blade; your CCS is just around the corner. Your DFS is a little farther away...

Ok, silly question CCS? DFS?

I have been going with the grain. I havent gone across or against yet, still trying to figure out how to hold the bad boy for that.

Close Comfortable Shave, Damn Fine Shave. Don't want to reopen the one hand / two hand debate, but (my opinion only) getting comfortable with the razor in either hand makes the XTG (cross grain) and ATG (against grain) passes easier. Start brushing your teeth with your off hand. In 2 weeks you'll be surprised at the coordination you develop. That coordination will carry over to your shaving.

I use both hands anyway, never had a problem with that as I am naturally multi handed as in I write with both hands, so no problems there

When you get comfortable with the with the grain (wtg) pass try going across the grain (xtg)on your cheeks and mustache area, really wherever you feel comfortable with the stroke. It will take time for you to develope the correct stroke for the direction your hair grows but you will get a far more close shave. Some guys go against the grain as well for the ultimate BBS (baby's butt smooth) shave, I don't because I get irritation and ingrown hairs from it.

I had read about ingrown hair due to ATG so had already decided to not do this, but I at least want to beat my Disposable razors which I know the tool is more than capable of doing as my disposables are just awful they shave to a stubble which is what I am shaving to at the moment with the straight edge so that's already fairly good. I'll try a shave in the morning (daily shaver) and see if I feel comfortable with trying XTG