Thread: Thick facial hair.

I have been blessed and cursed with thick facial hair. It does allow me to grow some pretty epic beards, but also makes for a frustrating experience shaving. This is partially why i was turned onto straight razor shaving in the first place. I initially got a base of the line Dovo and honed it myself. It does really well except under my nose where my eyes always water. I thought it may be due to my inexperience so I bought a Tuckman razor from Obie to compare. His razor is certainly superior to my first one but it still tugs at those under nose hairs. I am wondering if it may be the type of razor I am using both are near or are full hollow ground. Would a wedge or a higher weight razor be any better for me? Any advice on the matter would be appreciated. I currently use madame Scodioli shave soap, and Cirmes aftershave and pre-shave oil.

I would say, based on what you've said, that the razor that you honed yourself doesn't have the best edge that it could have. Try sending it out to a pro and you'll probably have an easier time on those tough areas

I would guess, based on your info, that at least one of your razors are in fact shave ready.
It also sounds as though your prep is decent.
That said, keep practicing both your technique and your prep-routine.

As to the hard/thick beards, a shave ready straight will cut it.
Given prep and technique is up to snuff, most any grind and size will do the job.

I have razors that are full, and even singing, hollows that is even marked "for heavy beards"
Keep at it, I'm sure you'll get that upper lip eventually, with the tools you presently have.

I had always been left with an irritated lip and chin areas, until I tried something. I stopped trying so hard. I kept the razor firm in my hand but at the same time just barely touching the skin. It feels like I'm taking the hair down a piece at a time until there isn't that tell tale "Velcro" scratchy sound. Maybe mine isn't as sharp as it could be but at the same time my upper lip and chin areas are not irritated anymore.

Funny timing on this question. There is at least one recent thread with the question of is a heavier grind better for new shavers with heavy beards. I have a son that claims it makes all the difference in the world. His big issue is on his neck. If you don't mind spending money on more razors I say try it. If you want to try it with out much of an outlay there are imperfect razors that you can get cheap that are shave ready and a lot of really nice razors that go for very little in the classifieds. I must admit that inexpensive 1/2 and 1/4 hallow razors are a little more rare in the classifieds. You might try asking for a loaner from a member. I guess the conclusion from my perspective is try it, just make sure it is shave ready.

what do you do to prep your beard?

Shaving under the nose prompts the wrong angle. Try to approach the area so you can flatten the angle. A smaller razor eg 4/8 makes that even easier. It must be properly honed.

The razor must be SHARP. I come in @ nearly a 90 angle under the nose, simply 'cause I don't know any other way to do it, and I have never cut myself there, and the razor doesn't tug n pull. I don't do a stroke, but a wrist rotation...kinda hard to explain without a visual reference.

I don't know what it's like to shave a normal beard with a straight razor, but I do know that the thicker and harder the whiskers are, the more difficult they are to shave. I experience this every day as I progress from my cheeks to my chin to my mustache. There are three things that help; softer whiskers, sharper blades, and better technique. I need all three of these to shave my mustache.

I probably shaved 100 times before I developed sufficient skill to shave my mustache. For the first few months, I started my shave with a DE razor on the mustache and chin and then finished with the straight. In my experience the challenge is to maintain a steady stroke through the thick whiskers and the momentum of a heavy razor is very helpful in this regard. Although I still prefer heavy grinds, I can't say notice that advantage anymore.

I swear by proraso green pre-shave. I have a tough beard and it definitely helps. In addition, try pulling your skin taught when shaving and using short buffing strokes and or a scything motion on those areas where the hair is toughest.