Thread: Need Help with unsmooth Chin

I've been using a DE for years. (I should say over a number of years so someone doesn't think it takes years for me to complete a shave).

After a very botched SR attempt, I decided to start with a Shavette and then switch once I mastered (more or less) the Shavette.

I'm using a Dreadnought Shavette. (A 6/8 Dovo is waiting in the wings). I've shaved close to ten times with it and have become pretty good (i.e., not too many divots) and have avoided the chin until now. I have a mustache, so no need to worry about under the lip, but I have a chin that seems to be a cross between a golf ball in smoothness and the surface of the moon. (Tis but a small shave for man but....).

This AM was my first attempt at that territory and I cut myself twice before reverting to the DE. (You think I look bad, you should see the other guy!).

Somehow, I manage to shave that with a DE with no problem. So, in theory, I should be able to do the same with the Shavette. Why isn't it working?

Anyone whose licked a similar problem chin have some tips on how to shave that area without coming out looking like Frankenstein's monster?

TIA,
Paul

Have never tried a shavette, but I have heard they are not very forgiving, and I certainly had trouble with the chin using a straight. All about the angle, which you need to adjust a lot in that area. It really is a matter of patience and practice, you will get better results. Nothing wrong with using the DE to finish up either, I did that for quite a while.

Originally Posted by PaBlum

Somehow, I manage to shave that with a DE with no problem. So, in theory, I should be able to do the same with the Shavette. Why isn't it working?

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum!! Glad to have you aboard!!

I don't have the situation that you're describing, but you've got me thinking. A DE of course has a leading edge on the razor body that pushes down and friction pulls the skin prior to the blade making contact. Not so with the shavette.

Probably the best thing you can work on is stretching the skin. Pulling down under the chin and left or right to stretch the skin taut and more even.

Then 3 things you can try.

First: Try canting the razor/blade just a little so you're not hitting the whiskers or the recessed areas straight on like an ax would hit chopping wood. With the blade canted and moving the blade straight it provides a slicing action like a guillotine and the blade only hits the irregularities a little at a time instead of just dropping into a depression and the whole edge hitting and digging into the skin. Play with the angle, but don't get to acute or it will slice flesh!!

Second: I usually recommend a very low angle of the razor on the face...almost flat. However you're going to have experiment with that and see. In your case it may be the exception. So......

Third: Try a higher angle of the blade on the face. Maybe to the extent of almost scraping across the skin. Don't actually scrape, but tease the limits. This may remedy the digging in.

But, which ever you're trying, the shavette demands very light pressure. So much lighter that your blade just barely caresses the skin. It is sharp enough to shave at that light pressure.

Maybe try variations of these, and....I hope it helps!!

Regards,

Howard

I have to say that the angle is of great importance and supporting that angle with good stretching or skin holding is also very important. The chin is a tricky little bit of rubbery tissue. I always hold the skin behind the blade to flatten it a little. It took me a while to be able to figure out against the grain on my chin and opted for across from each side to get it for the longest time. Now I just do it from ear to chin and against the grain. My whiskers grow fairly flat there so with the grain doesn't get them quite as easily.

Until a couple of days ago, I had a goatee, so never shaved my chin with a straight. It certainly takes a bit of getting used to and it can be pretty tricky. I've nicked myself a couple of times, but it's just a matter of patience and practice. I have to stretch the skin as taut as possible and shave with a slightly steeper angle.

My 'tash is staying as I have a handlebar nicely coming along! The goatee will probably make a reappearance before too long. Had it for years so it feels a bit odd without it!

Good luck with the Dovo PaBlum.

Keep trying to work your way in making flat planes a close to the chin as possible: on the sides, above, and below. This at least reduces the remaining, troublesome, curved point of the chin. Eventually, you'll be able to swoop the blade over that bit of curve.

The chin is the last area most guys get dialed in. Don't worry, it will happen over time.

Thanks all with your helpful suggestions.

I've been getting better every day and decided that tomorrow morning will be the day I switch to the Dovo!

Some notes:
-- Someone suggested canting. You know the expression: Never say cant? :-). The Shavette has sharp corners so that is something I won't attempt. Those corners may have been responsible for some of the cuts.

-- Yes, I'll stick to the easier parts of the face and work my way up, again. No sense in paying the price for over-confidence.

-- I suspect that many men got SRs for Christmas. I'll bet that they were delivered by St. Nick. (Think about that ).

PaBlum (aka Paul. Yes, it is an acronym)

I got my first straight this Christmas. I got it from my wife, but I suspect she is St. Nick...at least that's what my face says. Rob

When you shave your chin, look at the contoured surface and envision it broken up into smaller flat planes then adjust your angle and stroke accordingly. Hopefully this will help.