Thread: 1st/ 2nd shave......

I've recently had success on the chin and jawline with both straights and DEs by not allowing them to be distinct areas and shaving them as I go from cheek to neck and ATG from neck to cheek. That is, I don't stop at the end of the cheek or at the jawline on the way up ATG. The secret is to use no pressure at all, just the weight of the razor itself (which in the case of the Merkur is plenty), and re-angle the razor as you round the chin and jawline. I used to stop at the bottom of the cheek and at the top of the neck, then I realized that I was actually 'creating' trouble areas that otherwise wouldn't exist. Lately, I've gotten in the habit of using much longer strokes and going from the sideburn area all the way through the neck, and, on ATG strokes, from the bottom of the neck to the top of the cheek. It takes some practice and some improvement in technique, but if done patiently and carefully tames the troublesome jawline and chin areas. I would caution that this is not something that can be done well without lots of practice, but it works well and can also make shaves go more quickly. Good luck!