I'm sure this comes as a result of technique. I'm thinking I'm probably changing the angle of the blade as I do a pass and the hairs are left because I'm flattening the blade out. Thoughts?
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I'm sure this comes as a result of technique. I'm thinking I'm probably changing the angle of the blade as I do a pass and the hairs are left because I'm flattening the blade out. Thoughts?
Two possible causes:
1. Changing the razor angle, making it so flat that it doesn't cut, or
2. Going over a hollow area on your skin, so the edge isn't actually touching the skin in some areas.
. . Where is the troublesome area?
. . What kind of skin stretching are you doing?
. . Is this after a single "with the grain" pass, or after several passes in different directions ?
. Charles
A flat angle is conducive to comfort & will cut hair but if you are lifting the edge away from your skin you will miss some hair.
Is your razor sharp enough?
I've noticed this as well, although it seems to have minimized as I've increased the passes on my strop up near 100 pre shave. Another item is there seems to be a change in the hair growth direction in the areas I normally see this. Could be the culprit.
Cohen: The first major place I noticed it is around my cheekbone, and I'm not stretching the skin towards my jaw so I don't think it's been an issue of passing over a hollow. This is after a single pass that is mostly WTG. What I've basically done is get as close to WTG as I can while still feeling like my hands are in a safe position to do it. I know it's going to take time to get used to gripping the razor, lathering, stropping, etc etc so I'm pretty much just getting in the bathroom and DOing it without going overboard. Kees: I had the razor professionally honed before it was delivered. It cut quite a lot of the hairs I passed through. I think it's unlikely that sharpness is at fault here, but I am still new to this. I digested a few videos, diagrams, and articles on stropping before I even got the straight razor but I'm still not sure I'm doing it quite right. I will keep watching videos on that. Terp: That could very well be it. I'll keep on the lookout, thanks. EDIT: Is there a way to keep the forum from formatting my posts into a big brick?
Just had an idea. Could this be caused by not moving the entire blade of the razor over the strop? My strop is, I think, about 2 inches wide, and I have trouble when drawing the razor towards myself covering the length of the edge (not so much when drawing it away from me).
I don't find my WTG passes remove all the whiskers. That's why I continue with an ATG pass, the quality of which will depend on your developing technique.
Well, I almost wanted to try an ATG minipass, but I don't know. I feel like I should wait. I'm about to do my fourth straight razor shave ever so I'm not entirely confident in my ability not to garrote myself going ATG.Quote:
Originally Posted by ace
Like I said, your success with ATG passes will depend on your technique. I didn't start with ATG passes until I was WAY past where you are now. Stick with WTG for now, maybe experiment with XTG passes, but that's a big MAYBE. Give it time, practice and patience. You will get it but rushing your progress is not the way to go. You will either hurt or frustrate yourself. Be in it for the long haul. You'll get there.
A x-pattern is required when using strops less than 3" wide, so yes it is very possible that you are not stropping the entire edge if you are going straight up and down.Quote:
Originally Posted by Majestic
While sharpness/stropping could be a culprit I'd bet this is still a technique issue....
Which is okay. I know how skills like this are learned. I put about two years into traditional drawing/painting. The process is similar (although I don't remember risking injury when painting). Draw/paint a vase, draw/paint a vase, draw/paint a vase. Maybe after 100 you start doing two vases. Then more items. Then portraits, etc.
I usually do two "with the grain" passes, and I'll still have some of those short, light hairs that won't be removed until an "across the grain" pass. Some of those suckers just seem to need to be attacked from a different angle.