Easiest way to find/learn various techniques?

Hi,

I've been shaving happily with my straight for the past 5-6 months, and now I'm looking to improve my technique.

I'm currently pretty satisfied with my WTG techniques, but I don't really find myself getting close to that elusive BBS shave just yet. I find it especially difficult to get a close shave on my mustache area. I also find my skin not responding very well (tiny cuts, irritation) when I try to do a 2nd pass.

I'd like to 1) improve them and 2) learn proper XTG and ATG techniques. What is the best resource?

I'm hoping for a visual resource, does Lynn's DVD contain much technique? I haven't seen a ton of Youtube videos that go into advanced techniques. Thanks.

-Jon

Jockeys video demonstrates some good XTG and ATG passes, and also xmans video demonstrates some good ATG technique.

My advice, when trying to use what you've learnt from these videos, is to replicate the strokes and NOT the angle. The camera plays tricks, and quite often it appears the angle is much greater than it is.

My advice would also be to make sure you're doing the proper prep, splash your face between each pass to make sure it's slick, keep the spine very close to your face and if it's still pulling and catching - get your razor touched up. A dull edge will punish you ATG.

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Originally Posted by jcw122

I'm currently pretty satisfied with my WTG techniques, but I don't really find myself getting close to that elusive BBS shave just yet. I find it especially difficult to get a close shave on my mustache area. I also find my skin not responding very well (tiny cuts, irritation) when I try to do a 2nd pass.

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Hi Jon, your description makes me wonder if you're shaving with a sharp razor ? Was it honed by a honemiester ? How have you been maintaining it ?

The best visual resource is most probably the videos that members post here & on the tube. Just browse them. I'm not sure why you'd suffer more on the second pass unless you were either speeding it up a little, or not lathered up as well.

ATG can be tricky to nail down. I'd start with getting your XTG really good before playing much more with ATG. XTG should be pretty easy and really shouldn't cause any nicks or irritation. If it does, I'm think you're using too much pressure or, it could be the razor edge itself needs a touchup. It also could be too steep of an angle, but I think pressure is more likely, because IME the XTG pass has a decent window of blade angle that won't cause irritation (but not necessarily as wide of a window that will actually cut and work well).

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Originally Posted by gregs656

My advice, when trying to use what you've learnt from these videos, is to replicate the strokes and NOT the angle. The camera plays tricks, and quite often it appears the angle is much greater than it is.

keep the spine very close to your face and if it's still pulling and catching - get your razor touched up. A dull edge will punish you ATG.

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This is very true. When you first try an ATG pass and the angle isn't right...you'll know. Don't push it.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Hi Jon, your description makes me wonder if you're shaving with a sharp razor ? Was it honed by a honemiester ? How have you been maintaining it ?

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It came shave ready from KenRup. I have been maintaining it by doing about 5-7 laps on diamond paste every other shave, and about 100 laps on the normal side before each shave.

Every other shave?

how long have you been doing that for? Wouldn't be surprised if a dull edge is your problem.

follow the links in my sig if you haven't already.

pasted stropping every other time is excessive. maybe every couple of weeks.

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Originally Posted by gregs656

Every other shave?

how long have you been doing that for? Wouldn't be surprised if a dull edge is your problem.

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Originally Posted by jockeys

follow the links in my sig if you haven't already.

pasted stropping every other time is excessive. maybe every couple of weeks.

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I've been doing that since I got my razor, it was what KenRup recommended in the paper that came with his razor.

Thanks Jockeys, I've seen your shaving video on youtube, but I haven't seen any of those.

This is a good resource as well for tricks and tips on shaving passes: http://www.shavemyface.com/downloads...azor-Shave.pdf

I printed this out when I first started shaving with a straight - it might be basic for you if you are 5 months in but it doesn't hurt to look at some of the basics again occasionally

So how often should I be using the diamond paste then?

i just got done watching lynns dvd, he does go into the xtg pass i cant remember if he also does the atg. but the video is still worth it i learned alot of stuff. one thing that really helped me was only running my razor on linen 10 times and then only stroping 30 times. seems to be just about hte right combo for my blade.

My advice would be: Not to dig deep, or at all, for that bbs with any pass esp ATG and XTG. Light pressure and stretch that skin. I don't lather What I'm not gripping at the time. My own technique I guess. I work from bottom up. Neck/throat. Jaw/round. Cheeks/Jowles. Then last sideburns. Or maybe upperlip last. I like dry skin to get a good grip on, so as to stretch. Also watch for razor pitch. One spine, two at the most, width high from the skin so to keep the edge close to flush with the skin. 30 deg or something. Maybe your razor needs a tune up.
Hope this and the other posts help pal.-J

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Originally Posted by jcw122

It came shave ready from KenRup. I have been maintaining it by doing about 5-7 laps on diamond paste every other shave, and about 100 laps on the normal side before each shave.

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Oh.Okay Too much of a good thing. Get that joker re honed

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Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC

Oh.Okay Too much of a good thing. Get that joker re honed

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OK I think I will, but how often should I be using the diamond paste then?

I would go until you start to feel it pulling the first time, then freshen it up. I might remember how long that took and beat it to the punch the next time round, so if it took four weeks, do it every 3, for example.

I imagine you will go quite a while, do you just have the one razor? I'd advise getting a second if so, just to stretch out the time between getting them on the paste, and also because having a second razor is very handy if you damage one.