Thread: Still Feel Stubble

I'm a beginner with just over 60 straight razor shaves completed so far. The quality of my shaves has been gradually improving thanks in a large part to the information I read on this site. At first I would use my Mach 3 to touch up but I am to the point where the SR shaves are passable for work and for the last several weeks I have been able to leave my Mach 3 in the drawer.

However, for a few days this week I used my Mach 3 to shave instead. (I was rushed and had a lot on my mind and thought it best not to attempt a straight razor shave on those days.) That's when I noticed how I can still get a much better shave with the Mach 3 than my straight razors.

I figured this just shows how far I have yet to go on my technique and one day I will achieve that superior BBS shave with my straights that everyone here talks about. So this week I have been experimenting just on my dominant side sideburn and cheek to see just how close and smooth I can get so I can know what is possible.

Here is where I am stuck. It seems that no matter how many passes I do and no matter which direction and blade angle I use, I can still feel stubble when I touch my face against the grain.

It is not the razor, as I have tried three different blades and they were all honed by Lynn so I'm sure they were shave ready. I don't think its my stropping. The razors are staying sharp, the shaves are smooth, and the razors are definitely cutting hair. (I've started wiping the razor clean instead of rinsing so I can see all those decapitated little whiskers).

What am I missing? Any ideas? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hard to say without seeing your technique and knowing how your whiskers are. Until I became a professional tattooer I thought everyone's skin was the same. Found out , to my surprise, that it is not. Neither are their whiskers.

Skin stretching comes to mind. Experiment with that and continue to experiment with the angle of attack and the blade angle you're using in the attack. (not the same thing) Also are you 'mowing' the whiskers or slicing them ?

Slicing is a more advanced technique but it is also more effective IME. Took me awhile to feel comfortable doing it and on some areas I don't use it but it may be the solution. If you try it slice the whiskers, not the skin. No pressure on the skin, letting the razor's edge glide over the skin cutting the whiskers.

Personally, I believe that with all pre- and post-shave techniques being the same, you'll always get the best (easiest, fastest, smoothest) shaves using the DE razors, new or vintage. However, DE razors are nowhere near as fun or cool as straight razors.

Learn to live with a little stubble. It's no big deal. Besides, nobody gets perfect ATG BBS shaves every morning. For instance, I remember reading a thread not too long ago where many well-respected SRP members admitted to shaving at around 95% stubble-free, and they felt that was good enough.

My advice? Spend your mornings enjoying the many creams, brushes, razors, and splashes in your shaving collection. And be proud of your 95% instead of worried about that last 5.

Christopher

Its partly practice theres no denying, but you might also find that your straight has dulled slightly after 60 shaves as well.

When I started I used the same razor for months and dozens of shaves and it was only when I got my next shave ready razor that I realised how dull my first one had become..! Because they dull gradually you dont really notice it and its only when you go back to a freshly honed razor (or new DE blade) that you notice the comparison.

You might find a touch up helps?

The other thing is make sure your pre shave prep is really good as well. Use a hot towel and a good coat of high quality lather.

Good luck and keep us posted!

sounds like sub-par skin stretching.

also, make sure to keep a low angle when shaving XTG/ATG (about 15 degrees).

I have to agree with CJBianco on this. I always get the smoothest shaves when I use a DE. Much smoother than a straight or a cartridge razor. Some people will disagree and say they get the smoothest shave with a straight by far. Like Jimmy said, everyone's skin and whiskers are different, and therefore, the results are different.

I started getting much better shaves with my straights when I stopped worrying so much about BBS. As long as I get a nice smooth shave and have a fun/relaxing time doing it, I'm happy!

Also, I have noticed that approximately 1/2 hour after shaving, after your skin calms and tightens, the whiskers settle and what you thought was a sub par shave actually turns out to be pretty smooth.

My advice is do not obsess. Just enjoy and have fun.

Good comments, good advice. Thank you.

@ JimmyHAD: I have tried scything motion and guillotine style cutting but found it was very quick and easy way to add some decorations to my face. Since then I have backed away. Definitely an area I could work on.

@ Fbones24 and CJ Bianco: I am enjoying my SR shaves. This is definitely a fun way to shave. I will try not to obsess.

@ Stubear: I thought I could be in need of a touch up too, but I pulled out a brand new fresh straight razor I had been saving until my technique was a little better to compare and the results were identical as far as I can tell.

@ shiznix: Stretching could be a factor as well.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

I am travelling this week so my straight is home and I'm using a Mach3. However, I find myself using the techniques learned for str8ght shaving and I am now getting much closer with the M3 than I ever did before.

Next, I noticed with my str8ght I shave much closer on my cheeks than on my neck. My neck is where I obsess over the stubble. Can't really feel it on my cheek now.

Last, I found a combination of stretching, angle and super light touch on my cheek was what worked there. Still working on the neck. It may take a blow torch.... All kidding aside, I think the light touch was what started working. It is not pushing nor even scraping. I get the blade very close, and almost let it float through the air that works. I can't seem to even approach it on the first pass (wtg) but after I have gone back it (either xtg or atg) I focus on angle, stretching and barely touching.

Good luck

One thing that made a big difference for me was switching to shaving with cold, rather than hot, water. I wet my soap and brush with cold water, wet my face with it and rinse with it post-shave. I think it works because the cold water causes the skin on your face to contract, so the whiskers are as exposed as they're going to be. There's an old barber's manual that talks about the benefits of cold water shaving and actually recommends it. Anyhow, if you're experimenting, you might give it a shot.

I will attack it from a different angle. Have you tried a dense cream, like a molle?
It MAY help your beard stand up a little more against the blade. The 1st time I tried molle it blew me away how close the shave was. Not a hot lather by any means, but it does beat a cold water shave. YMMV.

I would get that razor professionally honed, and try a lather or cream that is a little more dense.

Most of all experiment and enjoy! You will be at this a long time.

Reference....

http://www.old-time.com/commercials/1940's/Molle.htm