Thread: help needed...considering giving up!

Dont give up...!

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-S-

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

Yep. Every angle, all kinds of stretching, everything. Some days I just directly to the ATG pass and just try three of those instead. No matter what, it just won't come smooth. It isn't really a big deal like the chin would be, but it is slightly frustrating all the same.

Do you push out the skin with your tongue? I've found that works for me. Another thing is I get better results in that area with a full hollow. I think a more flexible blade helps.

Anyway, good luck with that. One of the things I love most about straight shaving is finding solutions to these kinds of problems. How do I...

Yep, I've tried pushing it out, I've tried everything from full hollow to wedge, it is just a stubborn spot I guess. Oh well.

def don't give up, as many have recommended practice, and invest in a good shaver, also your right in thinking that your hair is unlike most...like mine it could be used as hypodermic needles and i have to shape up the edge more frequently than others! also do what you can on the two or three pass then take up your DE again and get what you missed it will come if not like DP said some of us will just have to understand there are areas that just have that no joy frustrating hair patch!

start looking i say at your local antique shops...i've been hitting gold constantly..and for under 20$ also...

never give up!
Wulfgar

I agree with Sham, and with Kees that your razor is probably not up to par in the sharpness dept. Even if your honing stroke is right on a 12k will only refresh the edge for so long before you need to redo the bevel and sharpen it again on the lower grits.

I assume you leave your chin for last ? Years ago Gillette had instructions that recommended leaving the lather on the goatee area until everything else was shaved. That is the toughest area for all of us if I am not mistaken and leaving the lather on longer will soften the whiskers a bit more.

When doing prep I wash and rinse my face twice and vigorously. I really press hard on the whiskers on my chin and jawline. I learned this from how a barber prepped my face for a shave when I was a young man. I also lather in a bowl because , for me anyway, I get a far superior lather than if I face lather.

Finally as Wulfgar said if you have to there is no shame in using a DE or whatever your choice is to clean up what you couldn't get with the straight until you get this sorted out. I suppose it is a bit of a hassle but better than tearing your chin up.

I had the same problem, even though probably less than you are describing. I got better results after using a Chinese 12K to freshen the edge. Glen then offered to hone my blade and I cannot believe the difference! I now get BBS on my throat and chin with just a WTG and ATG. I also get far less razor burn/razor bumps.

You mentioned that there were chips visible on the edge. That is what is tearing your skin up and the only resolution that I know of is to do a restoration on the hones. You would need to start with a low grit stone (such as a 250) and move up to the 1,000 followed by the 4K and 8K with polishing the edge with the stone you currently have as the final step.

BUT, you need to get one of the honing experts to hone your razor before you try your hand at the restoration.

If that doesn't improve your shaves you might be best to return to the DE or make your initial passes with the straight and touch up with the DE but get the edge restored!

Good luck and keep us informed.

hippy,

Others have offered good advice here. It does sound like your blade might not be as sharp as it should be since you said there are visible little chips in it, but I have to disagree with Sham. I have 3 NOS Wapi's that I honed up and they are great shavers.

Where do you live? If you are in the US, I'd be happy to touch up your razor for you to get it back where it should be (just take care of shipping is all.)

Like a previous poster said, a high grit hone like you are using isn't going to get those chips out.

Also, I understand the difficulty with the chin area. This can be a hard area to get since you have to constantly adjust your angles. Where around your jawline are you having trouble? Hard for me to understand from your post, maybe some pics would help.

Keep the faith, and if you want help with the blade, PM me.

Around the chin is the hardest part for me. I nick myself at the bottom of the chin-bulb nearly every day. Just little ones that stop bleeding with cold water applied. But I'm getting better with continued experience.

This area being so difficult to shave may explain why so many straight shavers have "van Dykes".

I suspect that since you mentioed visible chips in the blade that that is where your problem is. If you want to keep the blade then I'd go down to your nearest Home Depot and pick up a 640 grit hone and get those chips out. From there you would need a Norton 4k/8k and finish with a paddle strop treated with Chromium Oxide paste.

Rich

“Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any” – Mark Twain

I hear ya. This can all be frustrating, but before you give up I have a couple suggestions.

1. Get your razor sharpened and evaluated by one of the honemeisters here. At least you'll know the problem isn't the razor, or maybe it is.

2. I have the same problem under the jawline. I fixed it by pulling up hard on my cheeks, as I work my way down, and shave that area up higher on my face instead of trying to shave on my jawline. When you let go you'll find the only thing left is your neck. You can work the rest of your face the same way.

As a newbie I find I can get a better shave all around with a DE. But, I find shaving with the STR8 an addiction and a challenge I can't seem to stop. I wish my beard grew faster.