Continued improvement/challenges

[steve]

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.

[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).

[steve]

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.

[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).

[steve]

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.

[FiReSTaRT]

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.

[mparker762]

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.

[Flanny]

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 got a couple spots that I can only get at with a cross grain for some reason. My hair grows crazy though. I pull them tight and do my best and they do quite well.

[TomlinAS]

As a newbie shaver, the chin is my most hated "protrusion" as well. Pretty much all of the nicks I've given myself, with the exception of a few careless nicks to the ears, nose, and jawline (yeah, it's a good thing I'm a quick healer), have been on my chin. The worst part is that I pretty much have to get it BBS when I shave, because some folks that I work with that don't like me and have heavier collars keep a close eye on my shave (and anything else they can bust my balls about). As I tell people who ask me what the hell I am doing in the head, "The best hobbies are the ones you pay for in blood." Hah! I have gotten some pretty good shaves on it, though, using the same techniques posted by AFDavis. Break it into small sections, go slowly, and STRETCH...that's the key. The only really hard part of it now is that area of skin that isn't on the front of your chin and also isn't really on your neck yet, that transitional area.

[steve]

Well, I got a great shave today. After doing an experiment in stropping I started my shave and restropped for 5 passes on both linen/leather between my 1st and 2nd passes on my face.

I ended with with a very smooth shave and no cuts or nicks I count about 9 all total (mostly on my chin) and I do hope they don't leave scars. I don't really want to look like Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre

I've still got the area dead center on my chin that's left after I attack my chin from left to center and right to center. But all in all, it was one great shave.

I've also re-watched a little video from someone called Lynn and he suggested that on the neck you stretch the skin sideways. I've tried this and it makes an immense difference. I get hairs on my neck halfway down that grow up and flat. Doing this (which is taking the skin on the neck and stretching it toward the back under the ear) as made a huge difference. I was already getting smooth shaves on my neck and this just made it smoother.