Thread: my troublesome chin

I feel like my chin is a combination of my most sensitive skin with my coarsest stubble, is that normal?

I know have about 6 shaves under my belt and while I'm happy to report I haven't really cut myself yet (only a few needle point sized nicks) my chin just feels raw after each shave for about an hour. And it's not even completely smooth. I feel like I have to shave close to get smooth, but when I do it leaves my skin feeling raw.

I know the chin is commonly the hardest area to shave well, but if I feel raw afterwards... does that mean I'm using too much pressure?

Is it possible that some skin is just too sensitive AND would be served better by a Mach 3?

for your reference, I alternate between a Dovo that I maintain and a disposable Feather.

Your skin should grow accustomed to the straight shave after a while.Shaving the chin IS one of the hardest areas to keep the angle correct while you go"around the corner".Just be sure your razor is truly sharp,use a light touch,and don't apply more pressure if it catches or stops.Also it helps if you can begin strokes on a whiskerless or already shaven area.

The key to successful shaves is a combination of a shave ready razor, good prep, good stropping, and good technique. Oh yes, and lots of time, which is required for the "good technique" bit. We are talking months rather than weeks.

That said, yes you are using too much pressure. Every begginner I have ever met is. And no, you will not have to resort to a Mach 3.

Alpine, I also had problems shaving the chin. One member in particular offermed me some good advise which I am happy to pass along. When shaving the chin, with your free hand strech both sides with the index and thumb, proceed to shave around the chin keeping your angle at 35 degrees. This worked for me, I hope I also works for you. SHAVE ON!

It could be too much pressure or maybe your razor isn't sharp enough. The chin is difficult though.

Rich


“You ought never to take anything that don’t belong to you - if you can not carry it off” – Mark Twain

After a few weeks of straight razor shaving, I've found this to be the trouble spot. I'm still working on perfecting it... So this advice is really appreciated. (Even tho I did not start this thread.)

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

The key to successful shaves is a combination of a shave ready razor, good prep, good stropping, and good technique. Oh yes, and lots of time, which is required for the "good technique" bit. We are talking months rather than weeks.

That said, yes you are using too much pressure. Every begginner I have ever met is. And no, you will not have to resort to a Mach 3.

Robin speaks the truth

Have patience, and it will come. Best!

my dovo hasn't been honed by a professional, I live in Hong Kong and I was lucky enough to find a cutlery store that sold straights, they had about 4 to chose from. And considering how they were really pressing me to buy a 1000 grit stone to hone it I wasn't about to ask them to do any service on my razor.

My plan is to buy a Norton 4/8 and learn to do it myself but not just yet. I don't know if my first hone would be sharper than how it came out of the factory. It did however pass the "girlfriend's hair test" and "arm hair test" with relative ease. And for the most part it's pretty comfortable on most my face, sans chin.

It's also why I bought the feather disposable as well, so I have something I know is sharp to compare it to. As far as prep goes, I use Geo. F. Trumper's soap, after a long hot shower, I take my time preparing a rich, creamy lather with a badger brush and circular strokes to apply,

Three months in and my chin is the only area I still have some problems with. Just stick with it and you will steadily get better. I have kind of a pointy chin and find that going somewhere between WTG and XTG makes it a bit easier. There is just less having to change the angle of the razor, which was the problem I was having. Also, as other have mentioned, paying close attention to stropping makes a big difference.

Patience, a light touch, stretched skin - and practice - is what will get you good on that area. Keep at it! It sounds like you've gotten the hang of this and are just finishing up the tough area of your face.

As I think about it, I approach my chin a few ways. First, I'll go from my lip shaving down to just below the middle of my chin. I get the bottom by shaving up from my neck to the "point" or "edge" on the bottom of my chin. At that point I only have that strip that goes across the "sharp" part of the edge of my chin. That then is where I go from one side to the other, and then reverse.