Advice for getting started on my chin/under bottom lip...

Tonight was the second time using the straight razor. My prep is legit and the same as when I use a DE, and can get BBS/DFS from the DE with no issues. It's not a problem with the DE< but with the straight razor, I am not able to get the blade going on my chin. This has happened both times. it just catches on the whiskers and hangs up, and this is the area where my beard is the thickest, but in all honesty, compared to most, I wouldn't consider my beard really heavy or coarse. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Possibly dumb question, but is it known shave ready? That area does tend to be the hardest for most of us, and will also expose a bad edge and or technique.

this may just be a case of the blind leading the blind, but here goes:

when this happens to me its because my angle is wrong. In my case, the angle is too steep. I also find it easier if the blade has a little momentum already when it hits the hairs (By starting the stroke on some other (smooth) part of my chin first

That's how I did it at first also, it worked well

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Originally Posted by igga

this may just be a case of the blind leading the blind, but here goes:

when this happens to me its because my angle is wrong. In my case, the angle is too steep. I also find it easier if the blade has a little momentum already when it hits the hairs (By starting the stroke on some other (smooth) part of my chin first

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CAVEAT: I am beginner who is just beginning to get close shaves at the chin. I haven't cut myself there yet. (but there is plenty of time left for that to happen) :rofl2:

I will assume you have a truly sharp razor. This is a perfect reason to play with a shavette. IF your razor's edge is lacking ATG on the chin will tell you really quickly.


The principal cause of chin troubles is the constantly changing angles. Whatever direction neck up, lip down, or side to side the razor has to move in some kind of arc to follow the contour and it is really easy to get the angle too high which will stall out your razor. The good news is your stroke is nicely controlled as you are stopping before the blood shows.

One possible avenue of attack which has worked for me is lay the blade flat against the skin(the spine touching the neck) and move the razor slowly but deliberately into the whiskers as you bring the spine up. By saying "spine up" I mean no more than two spine thicknesses from the skin. Try it with a butter knife first. What you are trying to locate is the angle where your whiskers will give up to the blade and no higher. With practice that angle with become muscle memory in your hand and you can then concentrate on the motion of the stroke. NO pressure against the skin the stroke is like you are just wiping the lather off.

I am a beginner but I am finally getting some BBS results on my chin by using a very sharp razor, very low angle (in my case against the skin), and keeping the skin stretched to force the whiskers above the flesh.

It is similar to shaving the chin with a DE. If you get the blade angle too high it will either scrape the skin causing burn or catch the hair. If your pass is WTG and it stalls against the hair the razor can jump and cut the spot where it lands. If your pass is ATG and the angle gets too high the blade will follow to the skin and dig in. If you haven't gotten cut working at this it demonstrates a good grip and control of your razor. Persevere you will succeed.

It just keeps getting better.

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Originally Posted by rodb

Possibly dumb question, but is it known shave ready? That area does tend to be the hardest for most of us, and will also expose a bad edge and or technique.

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yes, it is shave ready (purchased from SRD< so i know it was sent honed and shave ready) the first shave I didn't strop because I did not want to run the risk of messing it up. stropped it before the second shave, and it felt identical to the first time, making me think that my stropping was fine, as well.

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Originally Posted by sbpark

yes, it is shave ready (purchased from SRD< so i know it was sent honed and shave ready) the first shave I didn't strop because I did not want to run the risk of messing it up. stropped it before the second shave, and it felt identical to the first time, making me think that my stropping was fine, as well.

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Sounds like an angle issue - also make sure there is a thick lather on that area too - it will help

Less angle helps make things smoother while you are reducing the beard.

Also, quick but very short strokes helps. Move the blade back and forth without losing contact with the skin and moving a little more forward with each stroke. Only have the blade about one spine width away from your skin on the first pass. Moving very slow can increase the pulling.

Lastly, stretching the skin is important to reduce the chance of a cut and to make the hair stand up.

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Originally Posted by Crotalus

Only have the blade about one spine width away from your skin

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I'm just loving this advice. Thanks.

Use your tongue she said:) Use it to stretch the skin,use short strokes

I'm now getting a little better on my chin, too. It's most likely an angle issue. Keep it low. Also, if I try to piecemeal my chin, forget it. I have to do my chin along with some other long stroke, such as from just under my lower lip, or cheek. There's some finesse involved. Try doing this stroke with something dull first, like a butter knife. If you practice keeping the angle the same as you go around and under your chin with something dull first, it may be easier to repeat this movement when your actually shaving.

After the first pass you can raise the blade to two spine widths. This approximates a 30 degree angle. This is where you will get the closest shave.

After the first pass at a low angle, the second pass at the higher angle will be much more comfortable.

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Originally Posted by Crotalus

After the first pass you can raise the blade to two spine widths. This approximates a 30 degree angle. This is where you will get the closest shave.

After the first pass at a low angle, the second pass at the higher angle will be much more comfortable.

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I have to try this!!

Doing under the chin is an advanced maneuver and personally I wouldn't even attempt it until you have a good bit of shaving experience.

However here is what I did to master it, nothing. I shaved for weeks and weeks and when I came to that area I felt all thumbs and finally gave up. One day while shaving in that area I tried it and it just worked. The moral of the story is as you gain more facility with the razor the more challenging areas become very easy. You just need to give it more time and not force it.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Doing under the chin is an advanced maneuver and personally I wouldn't even attempt it until you have a good bit of shaving experience.

However here is what I did to master it, nothing. I shaved for weeks and weeks and when I came to that area I felt all thumbs and finally gave up. One day while shaving in that area I tried it and it just worked. The moral of the story is as you gain more facility with the razor the more challenging areas become very easy. You just need to give it more time and not force it.

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I have the same experience... If something doesn't feel good, do not proceed. It will come later, plenty of shaves left ;)
I started in January and couldn't do the chin until recently. Now it isn't a problem anymore.

You could try to make first a pass with a DE

Do NOT use momentum! You are setting yourself up for a nasty cut. If the blade is truly shave ready and you've improved your technique, the chin hair shouldn't stop or catch the razor... oh, and always stretch the skin tight. Go slow and be patient and you'll get it.