Thread: Still doing something wrong, but I'm buggered if I know want...

So my razor is honed properly, I've stropped it, preshave is pretty good, but the shave is not quite right.

I've read that pressure is a big issue, so I tried to let the razor do the work but it catches on my beard and it feels like it requires a push, the only time it glides is when I have the razor flat against my face (then it 'sucks' to my face and requires some encouragement to move).

I've also noticed that the razor 'skips' if I give it a little encouragement (I try to keep the pressure to a minimum).

I guess my question is: how much room for error do you have on the angle?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm also new to this so you can take it for what it's worth, I have been having great shaves though. First off I've found proper pre shave prep goes a long way. As far as the angle is concerned as many will say 30° is ideal but slightly more or less hadn't made to huge of a difference, laying flat however won't get you far. Also stretching I've found to be very helpful in getting the razor to glide over your skin. Of course all this assuming your razor is shave ready that is huge.

You need some pressure, but keep the pressure downwards, not into your skin. Use short confident strokes.
Your lather may be a bit too thick as well, if you feel it sucking the razor to your face.

are you stretching your skin? sounds like the razor skipping is either the razor is sharp enough which we can rule out beecause its been honed, to me it sounds as though your not stretching your skin. Actually if your lather is too dry - depending on the soap - I've found it can toughen up the hairs alot and seriously affects how smooth your shave is.

try using hair conditioner on your face for 10-15mins before shaving, some of us just have really tough beards/stubble, my chin is annoying when I don't have time to prep it.

All good advice. Angle 5-45 degrees go with what works for you. Ive also seen new guys just being too careful. Commit to it the shaving stroke at worst you end up with a little cut.

I had a lot of skipping issues when I started

1. Pre-Shave - I have typical Middle Eastern tough as heck beard (sometimes, if I've let the growth go for more than two days I need to strop mid-shave to keep things smooth) so making sure my beard is as hydrated and clean as possible is critical. If you have a tough beard then this is a good place to make sure you're not skimping on details.

2. Shave Ready - Again, strop, strop and do it again and give it a slow hanging hair test along different parts of the blade. I found that I could tell where I had issues with my stropping because some parts of the blade was sharp and others not so (you can also find this out the more painful way...).

3. Lather - I would get a good lather, but when I started, it took so long for me to shave that some parts would dry out by the time I got to it. I lather one side/segment at a time hence always rich, wet lather is being used.

4. Stretching. I stretch progressively down my face - basically following the razor down. This method has given me some great single pass shaves when I'm in a rush but couldn't bring myself to use the much hated Gillette multi-razor abomination. I think also for those us with tough beards, this really allows the razor maximum exposure to the stubble.

5. Length of stubble. Don't let the growth go for too long. I've found there is a point where if I try a straight on long beards then I'm in for a long and not too pleasant shave. I shave around my goatee and trying to trim the goatee with a razor is not recommended (not in my world anyway). That's what I use the Gillette multi-blade abomination for - clean up detail.

Hope some of this helps.