Thread: The new guy!

Hi everyone. I took up straight shaving a few months ago. I started out with a zeva which was a big mistake. It wouldn't hold an edge toe a whole cheek. So my search for a better straight started. I then found a Ama 100 that was sent shave ready, made all the difference in the world, and now I'm hooked. These are the best shaves I've ever had. The only areas I'm having problems with are under my jawline and upper neck. No matter which way I go it just won't shave all the way off. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Hi! Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

The most stubborn patch of beard I have is on the jawline. I get am able to shave the area in the first pass by stretching the skin, pulling upward on my skin between cheekbone and temple. This pulls the skin at and just below the jawline up past the jaw for the with the grain cheek pass. On my second pass I go across the grain going from ear toward chin. Finally, if I have time and I am chasing the perfect shave I'll do an against the grain, third pass along the jawline.

My advice would be to get the basics of straight razor shaving down, practice, then go for perfection on the trouble spots. Lynn Abrams has some great videos on YouTube about stropping, lathering, and shaving. Watch and practice, then refine.

As your shaving technique improves with time, you will gradually figure out which angles of attack work best for different areas of your face and neck. Follow Leatherstockiings advice; he summarizes the solution to your problem very clearly.

Welcome aboard!
Leatherstockings advice is correct, it took me several months before I hit the chin area.
Remember one thing, you are shaving the lather!
Lots of useful info can be also found in the library section.
Cheers!

Thank you for the advice. That area is a very stubborn patch. I will definitely keep practicing to get my technique perfected.

Hello and welcome to SRP!
Part of the fun of straight razor shaving is figuring out what works for you.
It will take a bit of time but is well worth the effort.
Enjoy your time here on the forum!

Pete <:-}

I'll also have to check out the library posts for info too.

Welcome. For me there are a few important items for a great all around shave. To get the tricky area on the top of my neck and u deride of my jaw I found putting on weight was really helpful. I'm kidding, but skin stretching and holding are very important for a decent shave in that area. Keeping my blade angle nice and low helps a lot too.

Hello Paul, welcome among us.
When beginning with straight, there is no shame to use it on the easy parts and a DE on the tricky ones. Learning is a step by step process, as for everithing.

Welcome to SRP!!
Some great folks, as you have seen, and the library is full of great info. And reading the forum will also help

Do as Leatherstockings said and you'll get it.
Enjoy and have fun!

This is a step by step way of shaving, you have to get each step before you get the next one