What causes the razor to "skip" / "jump" rather than glide?

I've started using a shaving soap rather than the canned goo, it's the Wilkinson Sword blue bowl one (yes I have read the 'urinal puck scent' thread, but it's all that I can find at the moment!), and I am finding that the razor wants to move in a slightly jerky rather than smooth manner. The best description I can think of is it jumps or skips.

Is this caused by the soap or is it an angle thing?

I do use a little pre-shave oil, but only the smallest amount needed to cover my face - could it be this?

I'm still getting a comfortable shave, fairly close, but obviously I'm worried that it's going to 'jump' at the wrong moment and I'll cut off an earlobe!

Thanks in advance,
Paddy

It won't be the pre shave oil, that adds glide.

Is your lather quite glossy or is it like a dry foam? If it's dry then that could be a contributing factor. Also try using a hot towel to soften your beard, that will help too.

Another thing, is your blade shave ready? Poorly honed blades can skip and pull as you use them. Is there any pulling at all? The blade should just glide over your face with no pulling and remove the hair as it goes.

If you want me to, I can hone the blade for you for the cost of postage. That'll eliminate that concern! :) Just drop me a PM if you're interested!

After that it'll be a combination of technique and lather.

You need a lather that provides lots of glide and the razor angle should only be 2 spine widths from your face. Lathering, applying a hot towel, relathering and then shaving will also improve comfort and results, as the hot towel softens the beard.

Hope that's if some help! :)

The razor "jumps" on my face when I'm too light on the pressure. It's as if the blade catches a hair, and just lifts the blade off my face.

Don't get me wrong, you don't want to push the blade into your face, you just want enough pressure to keep the razor touching your skin at all times, which really isn't much.

Also, I get a similar feeling when my lather is too dry. It's as if the razor stops gliding and starts plowing, which causes all kinds of weird things.

If you're using long strokes, try going shorter until the skipping stops. I presonally prefer long strokes, but it demands a lot more control and skill, so that could cause problems for a new user. If you're already using short strokes, keep at it until you get more shaves in.

Good luck !

I'm using a disposable straight (strange design, a 25yr+ old Wilkinson Sword product, thats for another post) so thanks for the honing offer, much appreciated Stu, I'll bear it in mind for when I get my hands on a proper straight ;)
The blade was fresh, so sharp as it can be for a disposable.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try adding more water to the lather, although it didn't feel particularly dry.
The soap does seem to struggle to produce a 'smooth' lather, it's a bit 'thin'... hard to describe really, there's plenty of it though, probably too much dimethacone in the formulation (sorry, I'm a formulation scientist, these things interest me!)

I do tend to use longish strokes, so I'll try going shorter and see if that helps.

Cheers gents
P

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Originally Posted by PaddyX21

(sorry, I'm a formulation scientist, these things interest me!)

P

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Never appologize for being a scientist, no matter the circumstances !!! You worked hard to get where you are, be proud of that !

And don't be afraid to spread your knowledge and use scientific terms when you post, you'd be surprised how many people here understand and like technical & science related things.

It could be incorrect beard prep, dull blade and more than likely an incorrect angle. Eliminate the suspects one by one until you determine the true culprit!

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Originally Posted by PaddyX21

I'm using a disposable straight (strange design, a 25yr+ old Wilkinson Sword product, thats for another post) so thanks for the honing offer, much appreciated Stu, I'll bear it in mind for when I get my hands on a proper straight ;)
The blade was fresh, so sharp as it can be for a disposable.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try adding more water to the lather, although it didn't feel particularly dry.
The soap does seem to struggle to produce a 'smooth' lather, it's a bit 'thin'... hard to describe really, there's plenty of it though, probably too much dimethacone in the formulation (sorry, I'm a formulation scientist, these things interest me!)

I do tend to use longish strokes, so I'll try going shorter and see if that helps.

Cheers gents
P

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Hi your using a shavette, I started on one of those (granted I have not been straight shaving for long)
But i am using the blue tub of wilkinson sword soap "whats wrong with that? Ive smelled a lot worse, Hi Karate anybody?"

I had the same problem with skipping so I jumped on the SRP forum did some reading and applied the advice given, as if I was using a Full on propper staight razor. I changed the angle of the blade slightly ,moved the spine closer to my face and used I little pressure,and a thick not too dry lather. the result of this? Massive difference nice smooth, no jumping shave.

It worked for me give it a try

Good luck

Anthony

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Originally Posted by PaddyX21

The soap does seem to struggle to produce a 'smooth' lather, it's a bit 'thin'... P

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Hey Paddy, Try adding some glycerine to the soap B/4 you work it with your brush. Also I have learned from this site to use short scything strokes with my razor. Saves the blade and makes smoother cuts of the hair. Good luck!!!;)

Go to Bath and Body works and pick up a tube of CO Biglow. It's great stuff. But to answer your question I think it could be either angle or too dry IMHO. I've noticed if my angle gets too aggressive it will skip and I've noticed that if my face isn't wet enough when I apply lather it can skip. Good luck.

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Devilpup

while much has been mentioned here and most of it repeated i would also suggest that you look into your skin stretching technique. not to confuse, but this is just another characteristic that can cause skipping.

Shavettes often jump simply because the blade is so light. Honestly, a DE blade was never really intended to be jammed into the end of stick. You might need a firmer hold without adding more pressure.

You may also be using too little pressure... before anyone jumps me, I mean too soft a grip. While you don't want to put pressure against your skin you do want to hold the razor firmly. Gently enough that if it catches or tugs you can feel it and hopefully not get cut badly but you want that blade to slide through that hair. Move the blade with authority. If the skip is mostly at the tip that should fix it. If not, better lather and beard prep will be your friend.

Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions - I've learned quite a bit from this thread!

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Try adding some glycerine to the soap B/4 you work it with your brush.

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I added some glycerine to my bowl before lathering, and it has seemed to help the lather thicken up a little, I'll add a bit more next time and work out a sweet spot for this soap over time. It also held a little more water than without glycerine, so I may try out some other humectants as well.

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more than likely an incorrect angle

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I have been taking my time with these early shaves, and concentrating on keeping roughly a two spine widths angle for WTG/XTG and a slightly lower, say 1.5 spine widths angle for ATG. Because of the design of my razor (it is the same concept as a shavette, but really not the same!) I'm starting to think that the spine is thinner than an equivalent straight, so I'm going to try using a bit more angle - thanks for the advice.

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Go to Bath and Body works and pick up a tube of CO Biglow

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Wish it was that easy, but it could be quite a long trip from this side of the pond ;) I will keep my eyes open for alternatives to the Wilkinson's as well though, even if just for experiences sake - it's all I know at the moment.

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i would also suggest that you look into your skin stretching technique. not to confuse, but this is just another characteristic that can cause skipping.

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I did make more of a conscious effort to stretch last shave, and I would definitely say it helped - thanks :)

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You may also be using too little pressure... before anyone jumps me, I mean too soft a grip.

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This is also a valid comment for me, as I notice that when trying to shave with my non-dominant hand that I don't grip as tightly, and I do get more skip. Although I tend to shave one handed, as my non dominant hand is all but useless, the logic follows!

Thanks again gentlemen, much appreciated
P