Thread: The Mach Delivers ?!

Originally Posted by markdfhr

Hi csrund,

I know you've received a few responses to this comment.

I am a recent SR convert, too, and I also have a problem with getting that perfect shave. My beard above and under my chin is especially coarse, and I have dark hair. Not only that, but the hair under my jawline grows sideways, not up and down, making anything other than ATG very difficult for me.

I do not have a DE or SE razor to fall back on, I only have a cartridge; and I've not used that cartridge after my third shave. Maybe one day I might get a DE for travelling, but I've forsworn myself off cartridges forever.

For most of the time I've been using a SR, I've not had the best of shaves. I've been presentable most of the time, but especially on my chin and underneath my jaw, it's been very difficult for me. My technique has been improving, but I felt that if I didn't get a good enough shave or if I left patches where there should be none, I wasn't going to correct them with my cartridge, or even a SE if I had one. This might not work for everyone, especially a person who is in sales or does presentations or otherwise must look immaculate at all times, but it left me with no crutch. I had to, and still have to, improve my skills or I suffer the consequences and live with my shame for all to see.

I guess I've dedicated myself to this cause. I could probably get a better shave now with a cartridge because my prep work is heads and shoulders above what it once was; I've learned a lot about wet shaving simply because it's a necessity for straight razor shaving. But I'm not in this for the perfect shave. I'm in this for the straight razor shave; and I think that the perfect shave will come along soon enough.

I have experienced other benefits that other members have noted. My face and skin are healthier; my razor bumps along my neck are almost gone. I don't experience ingrown hairs, even where I do get that often elusive BBS. This may not be every members' experience, but it has been mine. Also, if it weren't for straight razor shaving, as I mentioned, I would have never learned the joys of wet shaving in general, and the general pride one gets in learning this art. At some point I plan on getting into honing, and maybe even into restorations.

I really like this hobby and I'm glad I ran across SRP. There's no way I would have taken this up without all the information available here and all the nice people willing to give good advice to someone like me.

So Mr. Gillette can stick his cartridges someplace I'll never see them again. I'm on a new journey down what others have styled The Straight Road. And I'm not looking back.

-Mark

I had much the same problem when I first started using straights, until I found out why smiling razors where so popular. If you're using a flat cut blade the underside of the throat is going to be very difficult, a smile allows you to get into the hollow under the chin and neck with full blade contact. the shape of your blade should be based on you beard type, facial hair style, and face/neck shape. If you wear facial hair you need a French point, Spanish point, or any protruding point so you can trim easily. If your beard is heavy you need more smile, if it's fine. less smile. The amount of smile should never be less than the shape of the hollow on either side of your wind pipe with the skin held tight (for most men this is very little, that's why most can use a flat edge with no problem). These are things that used to be taught but where lost when straights lost there popularity.