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I have not use a DE much since I was a kid and never did more than one pass. I am having great success except for the ATG pass on my chin.
I do not apply pressure and am careful not to have a steep angle; however, the blade always seems to want to bite, dig in, and bounce.
What am I doing wrong? This was a second shave with a feather blade in a Merkur Futur, set to 2.5. The blade is not dull. Perhaps I should crank it down for this pass? My beard is light, but my skin is not overly sensitive.
I think it just might be an angle issue. Try placing the top cap flat on your face with the handle parallel to the floor and rotate the handle downward till you just feel the blade on your skin. That works for WTG and going ATG just rotate the handle upward instead.
Bob
I think I did that, but I'm shaving vertically on the last pass, so I raised the handle and it just seems to instantly bite.
It's likely the texture of your skin in that area. I have a similar issue on the bottom of my chin. I have a scar on the point of my chin and two small wrinkles on the bottom of my chin. I have to change angle and re-apply lather a couple times to prevent damage. Stretch your skin with your other hand/fingers and make sure you have sufficient lather on your skin. You'll probably have to play with the razor angle and find what works. You might try shaving at an angle (across the grain) instead of vertical in that particular spot.
It does feel like texture and thought the face would become conditioned to it. I might forgo the ATG pass on the chin. I have no problems WTG or XTG.
How is the slickness of your soap?
I have noticed that if I shave with a soap that lacks slickness( a lot of creams do this to me) my razor tends to do this, particularly ATG.
I was using Haslinger Meersalgen yesterday. I use several Haslingers, Proraso, or Tabac. They work well in every direction elsewhere. It's just shaving upwards coming off the bottom of my chin.
That is a tricky area to shave for anyone going ATG. You have to keep adjusting the angle coming off the throat to the jaw line and then again up around the chin.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottChapin
The only other area that may cause skipping is the lather being a bit too dry. The soaps you are using should have enough slickness, especially the Haslingers and Tabac. You might want to try experimenting with the amount of water in your lather and see what happens.
All other parts of the face seem to be more forgiving about lather and angle than the area around and under the chin. Besides having all those different angles to contend with it also has the toughest beard growth and everything has to be spot on.
Hope you get it figured out.
Bob
Thanks Bob,
I believe you are right and that it's an angle issue, but felt my initial angle was not aggressive. Maybe that keeps it from cutting.
I'm thinking about starting the pass well below the trouble spot and getting a running start before it gets to the tougher spot. Maybe momentum would be in my favor.
I went real slow and easy this morning without incident.
Me: "Dr., it hurts when I do that."Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottChapin
Dr.: "Don't do that."
:)
I know it LOL. But I'm determined to tame the beast!Quote:
Originally Posted by kelbro
You could also try light short sharp buffing strokes in that area. You could also try cranking up the aggressiveness of the adjustable a notch or two.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottChapin
Bob
I was waiting to hear that, but wasn't going to suggest cranking up the aggressiveness, because it sounds counter intuitive.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
I'd try the buffing strokes first if you already haven't.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottChapin
As far as cranking up the aggressiveness goes, I found that I could never set my Gillette Fat Boy higher than 6 before I learned to shave with a straight razor. I now leave it set at 9 for a 4 pass shave. The only thing I can think of that has changed is my technique and lathering which was improved by learning to shave with a straight. For me that meant really paying attention to the angle and no pressure on the razor be it a DE/SE or straight along with a better lather. I think it is a matter of really refining the basics.
Bob
I was thinking I needed to perfect my DE before using a straight razor. I can shave my cheek and neck with a straight razor, but not bold enough for the chin.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
XTG with a straight razor around the throat seems scary. How do you keep the ends from digging into the lower neck and under chin?
It just takes time and not trying anything new till you feel comfortable enough to try it. If you push too hard/quick, that is asking for trouble to me. Everyone advances at their own pace that they are comfortable with.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottChapin
To me the chin is all about being able to constantly vary the angle to go with the changing curves of the chin. That and doing thin swathes like peeling a potato.
I do not do XTG on my neck and settle for a diagonal stroke there. Yea, you really have to watch where the heel and toe is working there. You just get the knack after a while like with any stroke.
Bob
With Bob on that one. Technique has gotten a lot better with DE after using straight for a few years. I would crank the setting up to half at least as well. Probably leaving a bit much growth for ATG pass. Have actually enjoyed last 2 shaves with DE, used to get crazy burn and somehow manage to cut my nose.
Yeah, no dogs on that list.Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottChapin
That makes a lot of sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grazor