Thread: After 64th shave with a shavette

Hello all, after vigorously searching, religiously studying and blindly following the guidelines on straight razor palace, I stand here to say that shaving with a straight razor (a shavette, to be precise) is indeed an experience, a man should never miss to fully explore his manlihood. I have completed 64 consecutive shaves and now I can say that I can get the finish shave almost as good as my earlier Gillette ready shaver. I know straight razor shaving is a journey (a vey slow one indeed) and you can expect to become a master only after 100th shave. Till now I have learned and improved during almost every shave and have been increasingly satisfied with the results. But now, since last 5 or so shaves I m not finding any way to still improve to achieve that as smooth as baby's back shave - specially chin area. I Have also tried 90 degree shave angle of razor across (left to right) the chin with fully stretched skin. Can any expert guide me through this please?

Welcome!!

I never can get BBS no matter what I use unless I go against the grain. You could try stretching the chin by pulling up towards the mouth, that helps me get much closer on the chin area

And you kind of answered your own question, it just takes time, you will get there. Tc

Thanks for the advice. Yes I agree that ATG is must for BBS. Just it will take time to master the chin area. Will keep trying

I don't stretch my skin on my chin by hand but slightly open my mouth and fold my bottom lip over my teeth. That causes the wiskers right and left of the chin to protrude more. Try it and feel your face till you find the correct grimace that works for you. I use this technique on all passes. The upward pass is the closest and makes the razor work the most. For the front middle of the chin I only shave down on all three passes (Lynn shows this on one of his beginner vids, by the way) and get satisfactory results. To get the bottom of the chin and neck I tilt my head back and in this way stretch the skin and can shave w/c/a the grain for best results. You must shave around the corners of your chin in one continuous stroke on the down and up passes to get everything. That takes practise.

Forget believing you'll be a master after only 100 shaves. I've been using shavettes and straights for about 3 years now and still find little things to improve. Think of your shaving while you're away from the mirror too.

I wouldn't worry about Baby butt smooth shave. As they used to say back in Nebraska, leave some for seed. Meaning, you'll get them next time.

With me to get extra smooth I have to cut against the grain, meaning up on my cheeks and down on my neck (just the way my whiskers grow). HOWEVER, to do that invites nicking/cutting (with me) and ingrown hairs (with me) so I just get it to pretty good. Heck, there are times I haven't shaved in 4-5 days and look as scruffy as a nerf herder.