Chin Difficulties

Hi there!

First of all, this is one of the best forums I've ever seen and the amount of knowledge is incredible! Thanks to Lynn and all the highly experienced men and women sharing their talent!

I purchased the SRD wet shave kit (Dovo 6/8 Best Black, 2" Latigo strop, etc.) and have read the Wiki and watched the videos repeatedly. I've been shaving full face now for about two weeks (four total) with only two nicks and a few minor abrasions. No major razor burn or stitches, yay me :)!

I can handle ATG and WTG passes over most of my face, but my chin (at the roundover to the neck) is really difficult. No matter how I hold the blade, pull my skin or what direction I attempt to make a pass, the razor wants to grab the hairs and dig into my chin. All the videos make this seem easy, so I'm really confused. I know I've got a thick beard there, but a Mach3 will clean the area up nicely after my unsuccessful straight razor passes.

Is this a sharpness or stropping issue that's only noticeable on the tougher hairs? Or is this just a technique issue that I'll have to keep working on?

Thanks!

In my experience, it's a technique thing. When I was first figuring out the chin area, I thought that I was using good technique, but I wasn't.

I found that my blade angle was not being maintained as I rounded my chin (in any direction). In other words, I'd start with a 20 degree angle and end up way off my angles at the other side of my chin.

Try to visualize maintaining the same relative angle to where the blade is contacting skin. Also, since you are having trouble with your chin, you may be tempted to use more pressure (or just do it by accident)... be careful to avoid this.

hope this helps

Dave

One stretch I found effective is to have my index finger on one side and my thumb on the other and stretch towards my ears. Use the half of the blade towards the heel in short buffing strokes. As Dave said, blade angle is key. On the knob of the chin the flatter the better. I also pull on one side and than on the other and shave the tight side. first one side than the other. I don't know if my description is adequate but that is what I do. :gl:

Not only is angle of blade important but especially with a thick beard the manner in which you move your blade across your face will be important.
Imagine if you will how a guillotine cuts. If you can imagine this and copy the same technique on your chin but maybe not as severe a cant and you will find the whiskers will wipe right off your chin without issue. Some here call this scything or a toe leading stroke. You can also do this as a heel leading stroke where necessary.
It will take a little practice and there is a real chance that you may cut yourself until you get the hang of it but once you do get the hang of it shaving with a straight will be a breeze.

Shaving the chin is just one of those things which comes with practice, I think. If it seems easy enough to me now, it emphatically didn't when I was starting out, and the main issue was the cutting angle, unsurprisingly. My guess is that most of us have come up with our own methods by dint of experimentation and perseverance. Stick with it, watch that angle, and it'll come right in due course.

Back when I started, the chin and the Adam's apple took awhile. The seniors are steering you in the right direction. One other thing to consider is the amount of pressure you apply to the razor. You get focused on navigating through the area, trying to maintain an angle that feels good, then before you know it, your pressing to hard. One of those multi-tasking deals. The more you do it, the better you'll get.
If all else fails, grow a go-tee.!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JMS

Not only is angle of blade important but especially with a thick beard the manner in which you move your blade across your face will be important.
Imagine if you will how a guillotine cuts. If you can imagine this and copy the same technique on your chin but maybe not as severe a cant and you will find the whiskers will wipe right off your chin without issue. Some here call this scything or a toe leading stroke. You can also do this as a heel leading stroke where necessary.
It will take a little practice and there is a real chance that you may cut yourself until you get the hang of it but once you do get the hang of it shaving with a straight will be a breeze.

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Mark is right on the money here IME. I am reluctant to post that info because until it is mastered there is a chance of cutting yourself..... and even then. :) Get comfortable with manipulating the blade and if you try this do it on easy areas. It is the way to shave with a straight though AFAIC.

I've been having a little difficulty shaving against the grain on my chin as of late. i wonder if anyone would be willing to show a video of the different cutting techniques against the grain on an especially thick and stubbly chin??

or if course if they could reccomend one that already exists. thanks!

The chin area is difficult to master-so you must be patient as you adjust to getting the angles and pressure right.It will eventually click-usually after you have developed the XTG and ATG passes.
In the meantime don't murder your chin skin!-do WTG and XTG and finish with a D/E or cartridge.(I didn't do this and when finished looked like i'd done 3 rounds with Sweeney Todd!!)
If you cut yourself use a good antiseptic cream and aftershave balm to heal the skin.
Go slow and smooooth!!
Kind regards

Noggs :)

Don't get me started on the chin!!

I'm still a new shaver and am still figuring out how to deal with this monster... but I've found it's largely the application of technique that will see you through the chin. In my experience, very small, light strokes (i.e. buffing) seem to work the best. Using this technique I have started to get a nice smooth chin.

Here's a way too detailed description of how I handle it, in this case, using only my right hand.

XTG - For the right-side of my face:
1) Stretch the skin upwards using the left hand and some alum for 'purchase'. I reach around - sort of over the ~top of my head and pull up from the cheek.
2) Shave XTG, along the jawline toward the chin with shorter strokes. I'm holding the razor with my thumb on the top of the tang and moving forward and downward with the blade angled slightly forward. A slight scything motion can work well here.

XTG - For the left-side of my face:
3) Using the left hand, stretch the skin upward from the cheek (or rear/upward from lower near the jaw).
4) Shave along the jawline as before. This time, I use the more 'conventional' grip (thumb on bottom of tang).

ATG - Stretching the skin downward on the neck, I come up from the underside of the chin/neck area and roll the blade up over the chin with a smooth stroke, or careful shorter ones - watch the blade angle.

Sounds more complicated than it is, but between the XTG and ATG, I get a good result. :gl:

Thanks to everyone for the tips and techniques. I'll keep practicing!

Another thing I like to do that wasn't mentioned: Imagine your chin in different "facets" that are flat and shave them separately instead of trying to go over the curves.

I started shaving with a straight razor a couple weeks ago. I still have trouble with the chin, and between the nose and the upper lip too. A re-lather helps, and taking my time does too.:)

The chin is a tough area, mainly because the angles are constantly changing and the beard growth can sometimes be a bit odd as well..!

To be honest, its really a technique thing and all I can suggest is to leave this area until you feel comfortable handling the razor and only then start to tackle it.

Skin stretching will really help you here, and make sure that the razor glides better over the skin rather than getting snarled up in the hairs.