Thread: Continued improvement/challenges

I've had several shaves now and here's what's happening:


1. Not BBS but much smoother on the sides, neck and chin
2. getting really close with the grain on the upper lip but can't get as close on the chin without going against the grain.
3. Razor burn on chin with several small spots of bleeding. If I could get this resolved, I'd be a happy shaver because I can't seem to improve this.


Now, I've had to take it back to the .5 paddle after every couple of shaves. I guess I expect this since I am still getting comfortable and still in the learning curve. I've also just received a 3" latigo strop from Tony so my stropping technique needs adjusting because going from a paddle to a hanging strop is a little different. To any other newbies reading this, Tony's stuff is fantastic!

Lessons I'm learning:

1. I find that one long pass on the sides of the face is better than several short strokes
2. I need to stretch my skin much more than I was originally doing
3. LIGHT touch, especially on the against the grain passes.
4. This is too much fun I can't ever see me going back to a Fusion or other multi-blade type razor.

You only mention going with and against the grain; you might want to try a cross-grain pass on those areas that are giving you trouble. It does nearly as well, and is a lot easier to pull off without nicking yourself especially in those areas that are difficult to get a good stretch. You can go cross-grain in both directions for even better results (this is how I shave my upper lip and chin).

Originally Posted by mparker762

You only mention going with and against the grain; you might want to try a cross-grain pass on those areas that are giving you trouble. It does nearly as well, and is a lot easier to pull off without nicking yourself especially in those areas that are difficult to get a good stretch. You can go cross-grain in both directions for even better results (this is how I shave my upper lip and chin).

I've tried cross grain and it's OK on the sides, I really rip up my chin so I've stopped the cross grain there. I haven't found a way to go cross my upper lip yet.

The chin is where it comes especially useful. I could never get it totally clean without going cross-grain. Try to work on that (be careful with the angle and gentle with the pressure).

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

The chin is where it comes especially useful. I could never get it totally clean without going cross-grain. Try to work on that (be careful with the angle and gentle with the pressure).

I'll try again. Can you give me any type of reference for a good angle? I seem to have to go almost flat (spine almost on the skin) to avoid cutting myself.

It's not the angle that will prevent you from cutting yourself. Just use an angle that will cut your hair in that area (about 20 for me), stretch the skin and go gently across. The main thing is to be careful about positioning the blade and moving it without sawing/slicing.

Originally Posted by steve

I'll try again. Can you give me any type of reference for a good angle? I seem to have to go almost flat (spine almost on the skin) to avoid cutting myself.

You may be using too much pressure.

Going across the chin is an advanced maneuver in shaving. I wouldn't recommend it until you have quite a bit of shaving experience. I think its advanced because its all done by feel as far as the proper angle and lack of pressure as well as proper stretching. Also there is a tendency to want to slice doing that maneuver more so than any other so caution is the watchword here. I've been shaving for 4 years now and if I'm not concentrating on what I'm doing when I come across the left side of my chin that is the only place I will on rare occasion nick myself.

I just shaved tonight after doing the following:

1. 10 laps on the 1 micron pasted paddle and 20 on the .5 (I did this because I noticed a small blemish in the edge)
2. stropped 30 laps on my leather hangins strop and it didn't feel sharp enough
3. 10 laps on the linen followed by 10 on the leather again

I did a hot towel prep with Colleen's shaving cream. 2 passes on the neck and cheeks (with and against). 3 passes on the chin (with, cross, against). Only a couple of small bleeders and minimal razor burn and the results are near BBS, the best shave to date. Firestart, your advice on going lightly on the pressure was a big factor in reducing razor burn and nicks. Thank you!

Looking forward to my next attempt.

Something else which I find helps cut close without irritation is using a slight (15-30º) cutting angle. This is where you lead each shaving stroke with the tip[ of the razor slightly and let the heel trail a bit. This modest cutting action really helps clip those hairs and I find it actually safer than the straight push.

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