Thread: The wall of beard hairs

This is a technique issue I have when I shave, both with a DE and a SR.

Some patches of hair are like a wall. The only way to cut them is my pushing on the razor.
And that is WTG! It happens even if I put Proraso white preshave.

I find it hard enough to have a light touch, but that's driving me nuts.

Suggestions?

You might approach them with a different angle.
While not always wise, a slight scything stroke is possible with DE's and definitely is with a straight.

Experiment, just keep the spine low?

Using short strokes can be effective with both DE and SR. If you are not already doing so try shaving with 1 spine width gap between spine and face. You could also try using a slant DE like the Merkur 37c. Here are some different strokes too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQco5PWc2JU

Bob

Good advise, Bob! Like backing-up and hitting it again differently, sometimes, the wall goes down fast.

This seems to only happen to me when my blade is not sharp enough.. not to suggest a less than proper honing, simply that I grab a blade that is "extra sharp" for those times.
Also coming in at a slight angle like Tom said and lowering my blade angle have worked.

I'm guessing you have a course beard?
Good reason to stay sharp!

Certainly with a straight you should never have to push on the razor no matter how tough the beard. Usually that's an indicator of a blade not up to snuff or an angle thing or both.

Since you have the same issue with a DE I'd say it's a technique issue.

Which DE do you use and which blade do you use?

The only time I experienced similar was when I tried head shaving with a straight.

I had not bothered with washing the hair or prepping & lathering adequately. To a degree, I can get away with it with a DE but not a straight.

Hot towels & lathering well are a must for some beard types. This is all in addition to a good blade, of course.

I think that just about covers it.
Keep a low angle.
Major beard prep to soften those whiskers.
Sything motion with many short strokes. Or use a twisted/slanted DE.

I have a guy i work with that just hates to shave. Mainly because his beard grows like carpet. So thick and dince it amazing to see. And it takes him a very short time before he has a full beard. He uses a slanted DE and it takes him some time to shave. I mean more than most. I tried to get him to use a straight but he wont have anything to do with it. When hes done with the shave he tosses the blade, as he says it wont make it thru another shave ofter one use.

So keep at it. Many short strokes at different angles and follow the comme ts given. Be sure that your blade is as keen as possible and you will get thru it. Pun entended.

BTW, i forgot to mension that his beard is curly too. I hate to admit it but.... ive stroked his face a time or two. It really is an amazing beard! But dont tell anyone.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Since you have the same issue with a DE I'd say it's a technique issue.

Yup, I think one of the most common of technique issues concerns the angle.

For a DE/SE place the top cap flat on your face with the handle parallel to the floor. Rotate the handle downwards till you just start to feel the blade edge on your skin. That should be close to the optimum angle for that razor and it will vary slightly razor to razor depending on the head design. If you drop the handle even more you are getting into scrapping the whiskers off not cutting them off. That is inefficient and can cause irritation also.

Bob

Jerry every time you get back into the cool group you say something like stroking another mans beard. BACK TO THE UNCOOL! Tc