Thread: How to get the closest shave

I have managed to get proficient enough to shave and only nick myself once every 12 - 13 times, but i have a stubble left over. To get rid of this, do i increase the angle of approach (move the spine more away from my face). I THINK that I am at a 30 degree angle, and I hone properly every time. What do I need to do?

I always decrease my angle (spine closer to face) on those last atg passes.

At the end of your shave, spash some water on your face and rub it around. You then get a fairly slick layer of lather remnants on your face that you can use as lube to do any touch ups you need.

Originally Posted by bradkerry

and I hone properly every time. What do I need to do?

Was your razor honed by a pro first or did you hone your own razor? I am not trying to sound rude but if your razor was hone by you it may not be sharp enough. The next thing would be time how many shaves have you given yourself? This info will help others answer your question.

Razor sharpness is a key to getting a close shave, but so are beard prep and shaving technique. My first thought is that your razor isn't sharp enough, does it pull or feel uncomfortable when you shave?

You might want to consider using water only for your last pass, also try lowering the spine, here's a link to the wiki about cutting angles.

Concur with all the above. You don't say what strokes you are using. WTG, XG, ATG? If you are using just WTG are you stretching the skin? Also, most people don't get a BBS using WTG only. That comes with adding XG and/or ATG.

+1 on razor sharpness. Who sharpened it, and how many shaves are on it so far? Also, have you done any kind of touchups (on pasted strop, hones, etc)?

My biggest "aha" moment in getting a close shave was discovering just how important a sharp razor is. IME, even if it's not pulling or tugging badly, that's not a sure sign that it's as sharp as it can be / is needed for the closest shaves.

I have found that when a razor is of proper sharpness that the spine is low enough to the skin that just a little more and the razor will "stick" to your skin. How many passes are you doing? I have a heavy beard and, for me, I do two WTG passes on my neck while I am doing XTG passes on my face. Going ATG involves a low angle and short overlapping strokes.


Take Care,
Richard

Just to agree with what all of the previous posters, if there is stubble left after the shave than the razor probably isn't sharp enough. OTOH, technique, or the lack of it, could also contribute to the less than perfect results. Jump back to the SRP Wiki for the tutorials and give them another read. Maybe you will find a step you've been skipping in prep or skin stretching.

For me, a totally stubble-free, absolutely, long-lasting (12 hours) BBS shave takes 4 passes ... WTG, ATG and 2 XTG.

Now, if you can't do 3 or 4 passes without irritation, then the problem is prep and technique. The number one technique problem is not stretching enough (I stretch with every stroke, mostly pulling with my fingers but also pointing my chin towards the ceiling and making monkey faces). The number two technique problem is too much pressure. In this case, you need to lighten up and let the razor do the work.

The number one prep problem is not lathering enough and an extra half a minute working the soap in well and raising a meringue is worth it.

If you can do 3 or 4 passes without irritation but there's still stubble, then the razor isn't sharp enough.

I agree with the above except that I would add this.

Get yourself a Gem or EverReady SE.

Why? Well the head is set to approximately 30 degrees. Gives you a nice visual for what you are doing.

They are cheap and fun to use.