2nd & 3rd shave observation and questions

For my second and third shave I used less pressure and concentrated on my angles, resulting in the bumps and irritations to be kept at a minimum. I also used more water with my cream - I felt my first shave was to dry - and this made a big difference as well.

The toughest area for me is around my mouth and chin. At the corners of my mouth the hair lies very flat to the skin. Which stroke works best in this situation? I am stretching the area as best I can, but I can't decide if with the grain or against will give the best results with the least amount of irritation.

Thanks,
Pete

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Originally Posted by Peterman

For my second and third shave I used less pressure and concentrated on my angles, resulting in the bumps and irritations to be kept at a minimum. I also used more water with my cream - I felt my first shave was to dry - and this made a big difference as well.

The toughest area for me is around my mouth and chin. At the corners of my mouth the hair lies very flat to the skin. Which stroke works best in this situation? I am stretching the area as best I can, but I can't decide if with the grain or against will give the best results with the least amount of irritation.

Thanks,
Pete

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I was having the same problems back when I started....for the coners of your mouth I always shave the area first with the grain and then very carefully against the grain. One advantage that I have is that two of my razors are spanish point razors...the point can be used to get into areas that are difficult to shave in this case the coners of the mouth and under the nostrils. Good luck.

for the corners and under my mouth, For my WTG pass I just shave it normal to reduce the bulk of hair. I don't really need to do ATG for this hair but I do use XTG.

For the XTG pass I stick my tongue between my skin and teeth to make the skin push out. It seems to help stretch the skin and get the hair to stand up. If your facial structure and hair are similar to mine this may help. Yet I probably have easier facial hair to shave than most so results may vary.

The stroke will probably matter less than the way you hold your razor: Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peterman

I can't decide if with the grain or against will give the best results with the least amount of irritation.

Thanks,
Pete

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Pete please forget about the AGT. if you learn right technique to shave you will never need to GO AGT TO get great shave.
try scything motion . take time and stretch the skin. light touch shaving no pressure.
GL
hope this helps

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

if you learn right technique to shave you will never need to GO AGT TO get great shave.

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Sorry, but after two years of straight shaving, I can assure you that this assumption is wrong.

Thank you for the links!
Pete

Hi Pete

I know which hairs you're talking about. The ones at the corner?
I have very delicate hairs there. I can shave them, but sometimes I don't bother. They are hard to see anyway :p The technique that works for me is to open my mouth a fair amount. This makes that section of my skin very flat. I then do only WTG to get them. I find it works best to use opposite hands. So when I am shaving the right corner of my mouth, I'm using my left hand. Basically, my hand is almost in my mouth a little bit to get a good angle.

I've tried to do ATG on the moustache area, but I still can't really do it. I'm getting pretty good at XTG though and I think that works best for me anyway.

In regards to the chin, my solution was to grow a goatee :p That's not 100% true, but I'd be lieing if I said it wasn't part of it. I actually had wanted to grow some facial hair for awhile, so I am growing the chin and soul patch, like I used to wear in college. I thought it would be fun to have an "obstacle" to shave around. Ya know what? It is fun :D

Are you still using the Shavette your wife bought you?

I fully understand the desire to keep the Mrs happy, but you really should pick up a "real" straight razor. Given your motivation for trying the straight, to abandon uneeded modern technology, you should get a vintage balde form a member here. Most of the razors on the classified will come shave ready. My first razor was a Bengall from the classifieds. It was only $33 and it was a great investment! It's actually led me to seek out more Bengall's from ebay :P The member I purchased from has even sent a couple follow up emails asking how I liked it! In case you haven't figured it out yet, the community of gentlemen (and ladies) found here are the best anywhere!

If you're worried your wife will feel hurt, talk to her about it. Explain that a real straight will improve the shave and it furthers the goal of eliminating disposable shaving products from your routine. :)

If shaving with only one pass will more pressure be needed for a close shave? My first shave a couple of days ago I used more pressure and it was a very close shave, but there was some irritation a few hours later. I assuming that if only was passed was used, irritation will taper off once my skin becomes accostumed to the razor?
Pete

I am currently researching my first purchase of a real straight right now. I am eager to judge for myself the difference between the real thing and the shavette. I'm starting to think that the shavette is too light.
Pete

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Sorry, but after two years of straight shaving, I can assure you that this assumption is wrong.

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I never shave AGT except if i am testing blade. I just want to make sure blade true shave ready and do AGT.
i have been getting great shave every single time since i start to use right technique.
Now i should admit i got this level not after 2 years but after 4 years and learning scything motion shave.
hope this helps

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Originally Posted by Peterman

If shaving with only one pass will more pressure be needed for a close shave? My first shave a couple of days ago I used more pressure and it was a very close shave, but there was some irritation a few hours later. I assuming that if only was passed was used, irritation will taper off once my skin becomes accostumed to the razor?
Pete

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Never use any pressure. It's probably the most important thing to learn. When I try to focus on using the lightest touch possible, I get the best shaves.

Sharp blade + light touch = great shave :D

I'm sure someone here will disagree with me, but IMHO, a single pass is shave is unrealistic. Sure, you can do it, but you won't get a nice clean shave and/or you cut or irritate your skin.

I can't recall, are you using a brush and soaps/creams? For me, part of the joy of the shaving experience is using all those wonderful soaps, creams and AS's. Since I'm a beginer myself, I'm still learning how to shave the different parts of my face. This means I'm rather slow. A straight razor shave takes me about 15-20 minutes, maybe longer. I've started taking my showers and shaving in the evenings before bed since I was getting to work late too often because I took too long shaving. :p Because I was in a hurry to get to work, sometimes I would try to hurry the process which usually resulted in nicks and cuts :( I shaved last night before bed and it was one of the smoothest shaves I've ever had. I did nick myself once, but I almost didn't realize until I saw that bright red indicator. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peterman

I am currently researching my first purchase of a real straight right now. I am eager to judge for myself the difference between the real thing and the shavette. I'm starting to think that the shavette is too light.
Pete

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It's pretty common for new straight shavers to migrate towards the heavier, less hollow or wedge, blades. Eventually, most shaver start to gravitate back towards the full hollow lighter blades. Granted this isn't always the case, but it's a definite trend I've seen while reading these forums.

I'm taking the approach that since I'll eventually develop enough skill to appreciate the full hollow, I'm just using them right from the beginning. Hopefully it will help speed up the learning curve a bit. That being said, I do love the way that 1/2 or 1/4 hollow Bengall shaves :D

Watch the classifieds. There are usually a couple shave ready vintage blades available for ~$30-40. They might not look pretty, but they will get the job done! My Bengall has some tarnish or black spots on it, but it doesn't affect the shave. Someday, I plan to fully restore it, but not until I practice on some other blades and have more razors to put into my rotation.