Thread: XTG via diagram help

ok...so I am getting much better at my str8 razor..chin area is getting slightly better but not much hair coming off..always feels like I barely touche the surface on both small pockets of my chin under by bottom lip
(left and right side)..my other question is this...Via the Diagram I attached...if you look at numbers 4, 16 and 17 then all point to the spots near the adams apple..this is where my little "cactus" hairs can ONLY be shaved with my DE/SE handles effectivly..I tried different positions but could angle the blade near them without the tip of the blade touching something a bit higher...any help would be appreciated..and any pics or videos as well ;-)

pcdad

Originally Posted by pcdad

ok...so I am getting much better at my str8 razor..chin area is getting slightly better but not much hair coming off..always feels like I barely touche the surface on both small pockets of my chin under by bottom lip
(left and right side)..my other question is this...Via the Diagram I attached...if you look at numbers 4, 16 and 17 then all point to the spots near the adams apple..this is where my little "cactus" hairs can ONLY be shaved with my DE/SE handles effectivly..I tried different positions but could angle the blade near them without the tip of the blade touching something a bit higher...any help would be appreciated..and any pics or videos as well ;-)

pcdad

I use this exact technique during my second XTG/ATG pass or my touch up, so I know it works for me... YMMV.

The idea is to pull the skin away from the Adam's Apple to the side and up. When I do this, the whiskers twist a little bit from a true N-S grain, to a kinda NNE-SSW grain. Then I do a scything motion that curves a little bit to a NNW-SSE direction, which gets about to an XTG. Hopefully this makes sense. Really the idea is that you can stretch the skin and make the grain change just enough to find a more manageable XTG stroke.

I used the Whisker Map, but I only messed with the sections you asked about.

Edit: It should go without saying that I use a shallow angle and a really light touch for this move. Spectator's usually inch to the edge of their seats...

Originally Posted by BingoBango

I use this exact technique during my second XTG/ATG pass or my touch up, so I know it works for me... YMMV.

The idea is to pull the skin away from the Adam's Apple to the side and up. When I do this, the whiskers twist a little bit from a true N-S grain, to a kinda NNE-SSW grain. Then I do a scything motion that curves a little bit to a NNW-SSE direction, which gets about to an XTG. Hopefully this makes sense. Really the idea is that you can stretch the skin and make the grain change just enough to find a more manageable XTG stroke.

I used the Whisker Map, but I only messed with the sections you asked about.

EXCELLENT point couldn't be more agree. STRETCH THE SKIN ON ADAMS APPLE.
lastly please remember doesn't matter what diagram show's to you it is not for 100% everyone.
there will be at least 5 % people which their facial hair growth will be different then rest.
if you remember just this rule you should be ok.
1. always shave WTG IN YOUR first pass. doesn't matter up ,down sideways etc just fallow the grain.
GL.

I see the diagram a little better visual but scything motion how?..I tried different directions and to no avail..hmm..although this shave time I only stretched very minimally which was nice to know I can use face stretching to my advantage as I had a led hand injury at birth but "it's ok" and can shave and strop very well..regarding Adams apple stretching...sounds like a good idea..but how does my blade get even near that area as I found my rounded tip to touch the upper area regardless how I held my blade ...hmmm

Originally Posted by pcdad

I see the diagram a little better visual but scything motion how?..I tried different directions and to no avail..hmm..although this shave time I only stretched very minimally which was nice to know I can use face stretching to my advantage as I had a led hand injury at birth but "it's ok" and can shave and strop very well..regarding Adams apple stretching...sounds like a good idea..but how does my blade get even near that area as I found my rounded tip to touch the upper area regardless how I held my blade ...hmmm

You have to use a little miniature razor like the one in the diagram that is the size of the guy's chin... Sheesh

I know...i've been trying to contact the guy uv the pic but he won't return my emails..

A few things...

Scything (the way I do it) is moving the razor around a pivot point with the edge leading in a short "swoop." The wiki even has a little video! With a light touch, you can cut the whiskers close and easy without going ATG.

Also, I will sometimes use the Guillotine method. But a word of warning, always move the razor into the edge NOT along the edge. Unless you want to recreate that opening scene in Eastern Promises.

The direction is easy: straight down! The stretching moves the whiskers and the grain changes a little bit. Just lift your chin and hold the razor horizontal then do a N-S pass with a scything (or Guillotine) motion. The toe of your razor should not point up, so I don't see that being a problem. If you can't fit your razor all the way across your neck, just use the toe since the heel will be out of the way and under your hand. That diagram is what you'd see in the mirror exactly if you watched me shave.

well..my process last was 1x downwards/1x upwards/1x xtg on cheeks and jaw area..1 final pass for any minor touchups as best as I can get..but around my adams apple has been with my SE/DE handle..I doubt its blade size as the problem even though I use a 7/8 Sheffield handle ...that wiki vid seemed like the guy was using a 4/8or something much smaller...I think the problem is...when I try every which way to get around the area around my adams apple where the "cactus" whiskers are...I can feel another part of the blade touching another part of my neck I don't want to be touched (sounds funny I know)

pcdad