Is it normal for it to be catching on thicker chin stubble?

I did my first ATG pass about 30min. ago (SO close to BBS) and I just wanted to know if it's normal to have a lot of trouble getting the blade through the chin stubble. I can slide right up my cheek, but the chin just keeps catching and stopping. I ended up feeling a Tiny bit... not razor burn or raw at all, but I can feel that I shaved there. I don't know if that should be either, but I'm guessing probably not and it's due to the trouble I had getting through it. Any advice on if it's usually kinda hard to get through there, and if not, advice on any common things I might be doing wrong/should try? Thanks.

Jeremy

Very normal. :D

Hang in there and you'll get it!

when you start to go ATG USE Very short strokes will help.

Fell the stubble with a WTG pass and you should not have too much trouble against the grain. Hairs on lip and chin are the toughest. Is your blade sharp enough?

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Originally Posted by Kees

Fell the stubble with a WTG pass and you should not have too much trouble against the grain. Hairs on lip and chin are the toughest. Is your blade sharp enough?

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I did do a WTG pass first. I'm pretty sure the blade is sharp enough. It will cut a hair no problem at any point on the blade. I think maybe I just need to practice more.

Flatten the angle out. Lay the blades spine on your cheek and pass ATG.

When I lay the blades spine flat on my cheek, it would stick, like how a cucumber would stick to the side of the knife when you cut it. I had to keep the spine just off of my face. Thanks, though.

I find that a sharp blade will do the sides of the chin no problem WTG. If it pulls WTG on the sides down to the point of the chin it isn't sharp enough IME. ATG is a different story. That is always more difficult. I also find the point of the chin more difficult and I always get that XTG. I've never found anything that will work ATG on my mustache area. My two bits. :)

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Originally Posted by TheFinerThings...

When I lay the blades spine flat on my cheek, it would stick, like how a cucumber would stick to the side of the knife when you cut it. I had to keep the spine just off of my face.

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Take a look at skin stretching and cutting angles in here: Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

I use a buffing motion for the chin area, i.e. short, light, but confident strokes without lifting the blade off the face. I also use the heel area of the blade, as it usually appears to be less flexible.

Thanks. I'll give the "buffing" idea a try next time I get a chance to shave (I only shave on days off for now "just in case" until I get more practice. The heel of the razor thing could help too. I don't know yet because I don't have enough experience to know the difference, but this will be a good example for learning. Again, thanks.

Hey Finer things,

What part of your chin troubles your blade? Should it be the side of your chin, you may want to try a scything motion by sliding the point of the blade toward your nose as you stroke upward on you ATG pass. If the direct front of your chin is the difficulty, you **may** find that a little pressure may help by way of a buffing stroke. IME, the chin requires shorter strokes to be shaven effectively. Lastly, make sure that you use a good facial soap that lathers well in your prep and you should leave it your face for a few minutes, so your beard has a chance to soak it in and soften up.

Cheers and Good luck!



PS during the ATG pass try stretching your skin in front of the blade's edge.

The chin always takes a bit more commitment to shave. This is where the quality of edge on your razor really shows as well as your technique and prep. Even when everything is perfect, this area will shave a bit different than the rest of you face and neck.

By the time I am going for ATG on the chin I have already done WTG, and XTG both left and right.

Later,
Richard

You probably dont want advice from another noobie, that carries a tube of triple antibiotic around in his shirt pocket.
But I am beginning to see the light and I think the answer lies in more effective skin stretching.
Good Luck

I find my wedgier-grind blades are less likely to catch and cut me on the chin. That said though, if you only try to shave a small area at once, stretch the skin properly, and use a decent blade, you should be fine - I can now get a good shave on my shin using my full/ 3/4 / 1/2 hollow blades using these ideas. I also find that doing my chin first while my blade is sharp works really well, or swapping razors to a smaller/sharper/wedgier/more maneouvreable blade works just as well.

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I also use the heel area of the blade, as it usually appears to be less flexible.

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Aaah. I will try this..heel tip tomorrow morning. Thanks.

The chin is no longer my nemesis; it is my arch nemesis.

Also use a slight slicing action.

• Short strokes.
• Flat an angle as you can. If blade "sticks" maybe you need a slicker soap.
• Slicing action.

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Originally Posted by TexasBob

Also use a slight slicing action.

• Slicing action.

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Haha, I'm new enough that you're kinda scaring me just using these words in connection to my face and razor. I'll have to try the other techniques first and then go reaaally slow into this one. It just sounds like I'd be begging for a cut.

Slicing action.

You know the part of the lion king where the hyenas are saying "Mufasa!" *shiver* "oooo"....

That's kinda how I feel about those words and my face in the same subject with my razor. :)

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Originally Posted by TheFinerThings...

Haha, I'm new enough that you're kinda scaring me just using these words in connection to my face and razor. I'll have to try the other techniques first and then go reaaally slow into this one. It just sounds like I'd be begging for a cut.

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See Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Although called "Advanced", all the techniques described on that page need to be used for a really good shave.

But, it is best to practice them on easier areas, like the cheeks, before using them in the tricky places.

my way is to stretch the skin as far as possible to one side or the other and then shave. it helps me some.