Thread: Starting to get better shaves

I am now on my 3rd shave and starting to get a lot better. I have my lather making pretty much down. I am able to shave my whole face with the exception of my chin. No matter the angle, it's painfull and cant cut any hairs. I guess I will keep practicing on it.
I only have minor irratation on the neck as I am using to much pressure. My hair on my neck starts at the middle and grows towards my ears. I cant seem to get ATG there. I would have to start at my right ear and shave across my neck towards my chin to get AGT and same for the left side and cant seem to find a comfortable position for that.
All in all, I seem to be doing pretty well, only having to finish my chin with a mach 3.
Just wanted to give an update for those who went out of there way to help me out and giving me pointers.
Thanks again,
-Anthony

Excellent 3rd shave. My chin gets multiple passes using short strokes and the strokes come from different angles. I am sure you will find what works best for you.

The neck has areas where you can not get a true ATG pass with a straight razor. This is where technique comes in and everyone is different as to what works the best for them.

Pabster

Hi AnthonySzum,
There is a learning curve with the chin-it is a difficult area to master.If the razor is shaving sideburn and cheeks well then it can't be down to the razor being dull.So that leaves technique which takes time to master.

If you start with guillotine strokes on your chin while pulling faces or stretching your skin there should be evidence of hairs being cut -follow up with strokes from your ear to the tip of your chin while stretching the skin back towards your ear with your free hand.these two types of stroke should remove some of the hair if not all if your using the right angles and your razor is sharp.
(I must say that for me, when hairs were left after doing this correctly then the razor needed a few strokes on my 10k Naniwa hone.)

Lastly-have patience-I found that even with a sharp razor,getting the angle right for cutting hair on my chin took at least 20/30 shaves and 3/4 WTG passes per shave.it only came together when i mastered the ATG pass which took care of all left over hair both on the neck and chin after approx 50 shaves.
Stick with it-it will come in time-and don't forget to enjoy the ride!
All the best

Noggs

+1 on noggs247 advice. The chin is the last area most str8 razor shavers master because it is the most difficult area of the face to shave.

The neck is another problem area because the hair tends to grow in all different directions. Intially, don't try for a BBS shave on your neck, just enough to get by. Later, as you gain in confidence and experience, you can try XTG; and after awhile you may even want to try ATG to achieve an even closer shave.

All in all it sounds like you are making good progress though. Remember, you have only completed your third shave. Try shaving with your straight razor everyday for a couple of weeks or months. I am certain that things will get better over time.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

I too have just completed my 3rd shave. I had a bit of head start on you as I've been shaving with a DE razor for a few months so my lathering is quite practiced already but I felt that the 3rd go felt a lot more natural.

I agree about the chin area and its reasuring to note that its the same for everyone. That said I had a good go at it but its not in the slightest bit smooth!

Agree with Noggs about navigating the chin. You really have to watch the angles. I had a tendency to flatten the blade when rounding the chin, thus losing the cutting angle. Have faith, it takes a while to get the result you want, but soon that Mach 3 will be gathering dust.

Good luck

Joe

Congrats! It sounds like you are getting along just fine, which is great..!

Dont rush things, just take your time and develop as you feel comfortable. And most importantly, enjoy it..!

Good luck and keep us posted!