Thread: Progress - Finally

Been shaving with a SR since the beginning of the month and with help from the endless information provided by the members here on SRP, I've learned much and tried many techniques in pursuit of that perfect BBS. I'd like to share my path so that others can learn from my mistakes.

First, I've learned that no matter what you read and different techniques discussed, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! We all have different whisker characteristics, different skin types, different facial shapes, and much more. The infinite combination possibilities just add to the confusion. Finally resigning to this and understanding that there is no cookie cutter way for everyone, I started to dissect what worked and didn't (for me).

My epiphany happened yesterday evening and I was dying to try it today. Results were the most comfortable SR shave to date with almost no skin irritation and no nicks.

Before this gets winded, let me explain. I've been trying so hard to get a close shave that after I did the "With the Grain" (WTG) stroke, & "Cross the Grain" (XTG) stroke, I concentrated most of my time & efforts on the "Against the Grain" (ATG) stroke. Today, I concentrated my efforts on WTG and in fact did this 3 times stretching my skin every way I can. On the 4th and final pass, I did a water only (no cream or soap) pass WTG - works great and I have AFDAVIS11 to thank. Only after all that did I do ATG on spots that were obviously needed extra help.
The result were:
+ Skin irritation was almost non-existant
+ Touch-ably smooth with a relaxed face
+ Visually as clean as when I used an electric shaver
- If skin is stretched a bit & I rub ATG, can still feel a slight stubble

Still not perfect but I think I'm almost there.

If you want to read on, my deductions were: Because I concentrated on the ATG stroke and didn't take the time to reduce as much hair as possible WTG, the thicker or more abundant stubble directed the blade closer to the skin. Or another way of looking at it, as the blade is moving ATG, it grabs the stubble and pulls the skin up and the skin gets cut too. Either way, you get skin irritation and nicks.

Take the time to learn which way your hair grows. Example: I've found that my left upper lip area generally grows straight down and my right upper lip grows diagonally down. Knowing this really helped me with each shave stroke I made. Also, taking short strokes actually shaves better and saves time. Go figure... I'm thinking it might be like a car hydroplaning on a wet road. Once you loose traction, the effort is useless. Hence the short stroke will keep "traction" and cut better.....I know, very bad analogy.

Now here's my disclaimer: I am using a SR from AOS that was purchased "shave ready". It passes the hanging hair test but still may not be as sharp as it could if professionally honed. Once I am able to get it honed, I may have different results but thought I share this experience for those who may be having the same difficulties.

BTW, I've found that my stubble shaves better with shaving soap instead of cream. For the veterans reading this, do I understand it correctly that the soap/cream does not only lubricate the surface to be shaved but also "floats" the blade away from the skin? If so, I believe that the soap doesn't float the blade as much. Been using the only soap I found here in Hawaii - Williams Mug Shave Soap.

Good luck & Happy New Year!

Michael

Well done, and thanks for the information. I agree that we really start to make progress when we adapt what we have learned to our individual faces and needs. In my case, I've dropped the XTG pass altogether because I didn't seem to get much out of it and because I've had more luck and no irritation with ATG passes. Good luck on your journey!

Aside from developing technique, a beginner's skin also needs to adjust. Personally I waited about a few weeks before going XTG and about a month before even attempting an ATG pass.

I found that with WTG and XTG you can get away with less stretching and less than perfect angles, with ATG you really have to stretch well, have a really low angle (Spine touching the skin practically) and a nice guillatine stroke. Anything less than this and you dramatically increase discomfort and irritation.

I've been straight shaving for about 6 months now and still shaving (for the most part) WTG. It's such a good shave that I really haven't bothered with anything else. I think I am doing better as a result of concentrating on this first. Perhaps someday I'll explore more, but a daily WTG is good enough for me.

Enjoy!!! ...

I am very envious of those that can get by with a WTG stroke only. I am 100% Okinawan and we are known to be very hairy people. I'm praying that when I get my blade professionally honed, I can join the ranks of the people I envy.

Thanks for the info. I did my first one last night and tried ATG in one spot only, it felt very smooth but was a little nicked. I think maybe I will try the 3 to 4 WTG passes and see what the results are like.