Thread: Enquirer with Tough Beard

Before the database crash, I was talking about how tough my beard is. Someone suggested that I may want to try using a "wedge" or something other than a "full hollow" razor.

Does anyone wish to discuss this with me and give me some advice? You can pm me, or if you want to discuss it so others can share, go ahead and keep it on the forum.

Thanks

The heavier grinds flex less and cut moove smoothly, IMO. But was really matters is beard prep and razor sharpness.

Just curious how your prep and blade is care to tell us about them?

I agree with syslight. I have a very thick, stubborn beard. Especially so if I skip a day or two and get some serious stubble. I have found the following things helpful:

1) the grind of the razor doesn't matter so much. I use a semi-hollow dovo most of the time and it does fine
2) your razor must be in tip top condition. that razor that needs to be touched up on the hone, but you are putting it off? don't use that one.
3) lather, lather, lather. brush your face like crazy to set your beard up.
4) many light passes will hurt a lot less than one deep pass. don't think of each pass as totally shaving hair off. think of it as shortening the hair that remains. it's no good to try and get it all in one pass if you have tough stubble.
5) don't be afraid to relather often during your shave

i dont have all the experience your looking for,just since about october, i have a heavey thick white grey beard, much thicker than when the hair was brown when i was younger. the 2 blades i have are a quarter hollow and a somewhat wedgey style blade. the wedge glides smoothly and quietly when cutting and gives a descent shave, the quarter hollow doesnt glide as nicely, makes a slight noise when shaving, but cuts a smoother bbs shave. i rotate them from day to day and i think going from one to the other helps fight some of the irritation i was getting from just using the quarter hollow, i dont get any irritation with them now.

I agree that prep, lather, and technique are the most important but i do like the heavier grinds. I find that I have to get the thinner ones sharper to do the same on my tough areas and restrop between passes with some of my xtra hollow grinds. This can make a close but harsh shave. I like the sheffields for that reason.

Originally Posted by jockeys

I agree with syslight. I have a very thick, stubborn beard. Especially so if I skip a day or two and get some serious stubble. I have found the following things helpful:

1) the grind of the razor doesn't matter so much. I use a semi-hollow dovo most of the time and it does fine
2) your razor must be in tip top condition. that razor that needs to be touched up on the hone, but you are putting it off? don't use that one.
3) lather, lather, lather. brush your face like crazy to set your beard up.
4) many light passes will hurt a lot less than one deep pass. don't think of each pass as totally shaving hair off. think of it as shortening the hair that remains. it's no good to try and get it all in one pass if you have tough stubble.
5) don't be afraid to relather often during your shave

I am not currently using a straight razor. I have a full beard but shave my lower neck and upper cheeks with a DE. I have been using warm shaving soap for years, and relather between directions (meaning ATG and WTG). I think I know preparation well enough for when I get my first straight.

I see from this post and some below that some of you use half hollow or wedges, even though there is a difference of opinion on how much that matters.

Is it harder to hone a half hollow or wedge, than a full hollow? I understand for honing a straight razor, you lay it down flat on the edge and the spine. Is that correct? So, with a wedge or half hollow, there is more surface material making contact with the hone, correct?

Sorry if all of these questions have been answered dozens of times before. But here is your chance to impress me with your prowess and knowledge!

Don in Stafford, VA - anyone else from around these parts?

Don,
you do realize that once you start using the straightrazor... one day you will wake up and say... Beard be gone! i like shaving to much to waste valuable fabe space with you.

and you will take your freshly stropped blade and rid yourself of the beard.

I went to Virginia Tech but now I live in Florida. It takes more time to hone a stiffer grind because of the amount of material that must be removed from the edge and the spine to make it hone up but don't worry about that because by the time you are proficient at honing you will be ready to tackle the stiffer grinds. Just don't practice on them.

Well, as you're an engineer you've probably figured out that given the same edge sharpness the main differences between hollow and a wedge are the flexibility of the edge and the mass, a.k.a. inertia

Wedges are generally much older (unless you're talking custom razors), so the actual steel may be different due to composition and tempering.

I certainly do not have much experience, but they feel very different and the only way to find out is to try both But I won't start with a wedge, as you getting feedback when you learn is important to develop your shaving technique. A good analogy for me is a sports car and a tank.

If I'm to limit myself to one razor only it will be stiffer 6/8 full hollow, but vintage wedges (esp the 200yr old) are certainly quite an experience.

Originally Posted by jockeys

I agree with syslight. I have a very thick, stubborn beard. Especially so if I skip a day or two and get some serious stubble. I have found the following things helpful:

1) the grind of the razor doesn't matter so much. I use a semi-hollow dovo most of the time and it does fine
2) your razor must be in tip top condition. that razor that needs to be touched up on the hone, but you are putting it off? don't use that one.
3) lather, lather, lather. brush your face like crazy to set your beard up.
4) many light passes will hurt a lot less than one deep pass. don't think of each pass as totally shaving hair off. think of it as shortening the hair that remains. it's no good to try and get it all in one pass if you have tough stubble.
5) don't be afraid to relather often during your shave

That is how I deal with my tough beard. I do tend to like a 1/4 hollow to wedge razor more but that is probably more personal preference than anything. I am sure a full hollow can do just as well.