Thread: Taking it on the chin

Arrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhh. Been using a straight now for about a month and little by little I've been scaring up my chin and jaw with a nick here and a nick there. How long does this go on? I've tried honing and stropping, new razors and rehabbed old ones, different creams,soaps, glycerin bars, less pressure, no pressure, you name it. Then i have to rest the mug for a few days so that the cuts don't reopen. A month of this has left me with scars, welts and assorted red marks on what my wife tells me was a fairly smooth surface. Most of the time I just look like I've been in a cat fight and the cat won. It doesn't get much better when I turn to my DE's==I just cut myself less. One thing for sure--I am developing a healthy respect for what the folks at Gillette have done for facial integrity.

So toss me a rope. Give me some hope. 'Cause if this keeps up I am inclined to go fire sale on this nice, beautiful and expensive gear I've accumulated and limp back to my old Mach 3 and Edge.
OK, maybe not the Edge.

Rick

Don't give up yet. But do give yourself a breather to let your face heal.

There's no shame in going back to your disposables for awhile.
In the mean time, keep reading and practicing your honing and stropping. If you have the opportunity, get together with some other experienced folks in your area. A one hour hands on session with a vet can take you months ahead in your learning.


Scott

Originally Posted by honedright

Don't give up yet. But do give yourself a breather to let your face heal.

There's no shame in going back to your disposables for awhile.
In the mean time, keep reading and practicing your honing and stropping. If you have the opportunity, get together with some other experienced folks in your area. A one hour hands on session with a vet can take you months ahead in your learning.


Scott

+1, being mentored by someone who has walked the path before you would be ideal. In the meantime, are you stretching your skin? I use no pressure with my straights. Have you tried a pre-shave oil? Sometimes a little extra lube will help.
If you have a web cam I could give you some visual tips if you like.

Originally Posted by honedright

A one hour hands on session with a vet can take you months ahead in your learning.


Scott

Yeppers, I wish I'd had the chance to have you with me for my first shave...

Ok, I'm a tad envious.

5¢

Originally Posted by Kenrup

If you have a web cam I could give you some visual tips if you like.

Very nice of you to offer this, Kenrup! +1

When I first started I used my Quattro to do my chin area....then I moved on to a late 40's DE (which I used for a LONG time.....and still do ever now and then). It's really only been fairly recently that I've been shaving my chin area with success with my straights. Thats the only area that I've had problems with and I just took my sweet time with it....

My recommendation would be to use the straight where it's working well and hit the rest with the cartridge....over time, and as you get more used to the straight, you can do less and less with the cartridge and more with the straight or DE.

It's a relief to read about someone else with the same experiences as me. My chin and also above and to the sides of my upper lip require s-o-o-o-o much time to get a mediocre shave. I guess as eveyone is saying, it just takes time.

Originally Posted by Stracks One

'Cause if this keeps up I am inclined to go fire sale on this nice, beautiful and expensive gear I've accumulated and limp back to my old Mach 3 and Edge.
OK, maybe not the Edge.

Rick

Let me know when you get rid of it.

Just kidding.

I just started myself and so far I've been lucky enough and haven't gotten a nick yet. Having that said, I'm sure I'll chop my ear of the next time I shave. lol
I'm not even trying to get my chin smooth as the angles are too tricky to try for now. I'll do that with my M3... for now.
Just wondering, you said you tried all kinds of stuff... but how about just trying to enjoy it and not think too much about getting a BBS.
Or is that just me? Being a newbie and all, my expectations are still fairly low so it's really hard to get a dissapointing shave.
But don't give up, I'm sure it'll all come togehter.

Patrick

Thanks for all the encouragement, Gentlemen. My face is healing well under my Merkur Vision and I'm starting to turn into the wind again and head back to the hones. So I guess no yard sale quite yet. Thank you to Kenrup for your kind offer, I may take you up on it. As long as you promise no recording.....

Thanks again all. Once more you demonstrate the unfailing humor and good fellowship of this board.

Rick

Hey,
Keep your finger tips dry on the non-razor hand and stretch the skin behind the blade. Lower the angle of blade until it is almost flat. Then, work the blade in short strokes over the chin.
Works for me!
R.