Newbie's "circle buff" technique

I tried something new (to me, anyway) with last night's shave that seems to have worked well. I'll try to describe it here in case it might work well for others.

My moustache and chin areas areas have the toughest whiskers. After WTG (i.e. N-S) and XTG (i.e. E-W/W-E) passes I of course still had stubble in these areas. ATG is hard for me to do even in an "easy" area (e.g. cheek) so instead of a straight-line motion I tried little circular motions. This gave the forward part of that stroke a bit of a slicing action and seemed to help me keep the blade under control, effecting a better shave in that area than before. Kind of a variation on the buffing technique. I started with a very low blade angle and adjusted based on the feel/sound of the cutting action. Be sure the skin is stretched really tight so there is noting for the blade to bite into. Do only the tiniest area at a time.

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Originally Posted by TexasBob

I tried something new (to me, anyway) with last night's shave that seems to have worked well. I'll try to describe it here in case it might work well for others.

My moustache and chin areas areas have the toughest whiskers. After WTG (i.e. N-S) and XTG (i.e. E-W/W-E) passes I of course still had stubble in these areas. ATG is hard for me to do even in an "easy" area (e.g. cheek) so instead of a straight-line motion I tried little circular motions. This gave the forward part of that stroke a bit of a slicing action and seemed to help me keep the blade under control, effecting a better shave in that area than before. Kind of a variation on the buffing technique. I started with a very low blade angle and adjusted based on the feel/sound of the cutting action. Be sure the skin is stretched really tight so there is noting for the blade to bite into. Do only the tiniest area at a time.

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I'm actually having a little trouble visualizing what you're saying.. is it similar to "scything" where you sort of rotate about the heel during your stroke?

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Originally Posted by pjrage

I'm actually having a little trouble visualizing what you're saying..

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Picture trying to "paint" small circles with the flat side of the blade. Blade mostly horizontal, sharp side generally upward for ATG.

No wrist action. From the shoulder. Finishing touches on a masterpiece.

That sounds like a way to overshave and irritate your skin.

Straight shaving takes some time to really perfect. It's like playing golf. You keep making little adjustments in your technique, and it all comes together one day. Probably the two most important things I can think of- besides having a sharp blade- is stretching your skin and the angle of your blade. Working on those two things have given me the best results.

Bob,

For what it's worth, I do the same thing you describe. I find that the really small circular motions allow me to be more precise under the nose, and to use a flatter, less irritating angle of the blade.

Jeff

I've never done circular motions, but I don't see why they couldn't be done effectively. I see a little more potential of cutting yourself, since when you do a circular motion there is a moment when the blade is going completely horizontal (just think of the tangent on the top and the bottom of a circle, it's horizontal).

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Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

I've never done circular motions, but I don't see why they couldn't be done effectively. I see a little more potential of cutting yourself, since when you do a circular motion there is a moment when the blade is going completely horizontal (just think of the tangent on the top and the bottom of a circle, it's horizontal).

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I see what you mean. I checked my self again last night and I find I am just barely lifting the razor after the "effective" part of each stroke. Making a full circle (albeit a small one) helps keep up the rhythm and repeatability so each stroke is the same and there are no sudden changes in direction.