Thread: Missed (a perfect shave) by that much!

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Sometimes it helps to change your grip on the razor. For example, to get the right side of my neck smooth I straighten out the scales like a fixed blade razor (or Japanese style razor). The scales do not get in the way at all. Some may ask why I do this, and it's difficult to describe without a visual presentation, but in the end it's how I've always done it an it works great for me. No use fixing what isn't broke

I want to believe there is a grip that'll do the trick but, so far, it has escaped me. Might just need more time and technique to find what's literally right under my nose.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

I want to believe there is a grip that'll do the trick but, so far, it has escaped me. Might just need more time and technique to find what's literally right unde my nose.

Haha, yeah that would be great but you've been given some good advice so far and I figured that a grip change used in conjunction with the other tips should do the trick. Yes, it's going to take some experimentation but I have no doubt you'll figure what works best for you.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Haha, yeah that would be great but you've been given some good advice so far and I figured that a grip change used in conjunction with the other tips should do the trick. Yes, it's going to take some experimentation but I have no doubt you'll figure what works best for you.

Took a weekend off from shaving and let things settle out. I returned to the elusive smooth-in-three-directions neck shave without particular enthusiasm. However, I returned with the Dubl Duck Dwarf, a razor I have been slow to embrace due to the worrisome square point. Gotta say it seems to shave a little easier than my other razors in spite of absent jimps. I paid more attention to the neck-stretching and, without adding a lot of extra passes, employed a number of scything strokes XTG on each side of my throat. It still isn't perfect but the results are at least a 50% improvement in the hard to get real estate. Was it the time off, the technique or the razor? Or all three?

And in the top of the 2nd (month), no runs, no nicks, no errors. Working on the details and keeping it fun. Damn - I like a smooth shave!

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Was it the time off, the technique or the razor? Or all three?

Possibly all three. By far the easiest factor to rule out is the razor; using a razor that is, without question, properly sharp will eliminate that variable. A little time off helps too, as it allows the skin to heal. Longer whiskers also tend to lend themselves to a smoother shave. But technique is likely what contributed the most to your improved results as it sounds like you`ve employed a few tricks from this thread.

It sounds like you're on the right track and progressing well. Carry on!

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Sometimes it helps to change your grip on the razor. For example, to get the right side of my neck smooth I straighten out the scales like a fixed blade razor (or Japanese style razor). The scales do not get in the way at all. Some may ask why I do this, and it's difficult to describe without a visual presentation, but in the end it's how I've always done it an it works great for me. No use fixing what isn't broke

I see better why it takes a few months or more to get the hang of it. You must keep practicing one thing until you can do it well enough to change it. I've been experimenting with moving scales here-and-there, gripping and regripping, none of which works better right now than a series of six or eight scything moves on each side of my neck - it's pretty darn good results, really. I think as my stropping skills elevate I would expect another dimension of improvement.

I no longer fear the point. I learn negotiating room is sparse on my neck and the DD Dwarf's short blade makes it easier to navigate the territory. I have had similar good luck with a smallish round point August Kern blade. Do varying face shapes lend themselves better to longer or shorter blades or is it all just time and experience?

Just enjoy the ride, Moo. Don't sweat the little things like BBS early on. Keep focusing on the technique, on getting the shave you want overall and on getting those muscles trained up and comfortable. Then you'll start to realize your strokes are even lighter than you ever thought they'd be, your shaves are smoother and, one day, things just fall into place and you're hitting those areas that scared the crap out of you, only now with all the confidence you never had before. This happened to me with the end of my chin, upon which I have a bit of a scar. It was always a huge pain in the butt in and around that area and often took me longer to shave than a whole pass on the rest of my face. But then I found, little by little, that I could get it smooth with a lot less effort.

Now, I just have a goatee and don't worry about the chin anymore

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Was it the time off, the technique or the razor? Or all three?

And in the top of the 2nd (month), no runs, no nicks, no errors. Working on the details and keeping it fun. Damn - I like a smooth shave!

I'd say all three.

I can assure you that the square point won't be a problem in due time. I had a Filarmonica 12 razor I really liked with a round point and couldn't pass it up when another one became available in Classifieds with a square point. At first I had to be careful, but now it honestly doesn't make any difference which one I use. Those two Fillys are interchangeable for me now.

Your advice of keeping it fun is probably the best tip for a beginning straight shaver. There is a feeling of accomplishment as skills develop; you appreciate a great shave; and then the realization kicks in that shaving has become enjoyable.

Originally Posted by jdto

Just enjoy the ride, Moo. Don't sweat the little things like BBS early on... ...little by little, that I could get it smooth with a lot less effort.

And, ba-da-bing... a little-by-little experience changed the game this morning. A very sharp edge, wet lather, a properly shallow angle, mega-stretch and a short downward ATG stroke slid into a bit of a guillotine pass. And there it was - perfection where it had not before been achieved. Simple pleasures.

And yet another epiphany... I read many veterans here are vigilant about keeping their razors (other than the blade) and hand(s) dry. I have really enjoyed swishing a razor clean in the sink but, as of today, no mas. I have joined the SRP Dry Hands Club. Phew... what was I thinking about with soap and water on the shank? Madness.

Another thing about keeping your hands dry... Your attention isn't diverted from the razor by reaching for a towel come skin stretching time. It's hard to hold a razor AND stretch yo face with wet (soapy) hands. Phew. Better technique ahead.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

And yet another epiphany... I read many veterans here are vigilant about keeping their razors (other than the blade) and hand(s) dry. I have really enjoyed swishing a razor clean in the sink but, as of today, no mas. I have joined the SRP Dry Hands Club. Phew... what was I thinking about with soap and water on the shank? Madness.

Another thing about keeping your hands dry... Your attention isn't diverted from the razor by reaching for a towel come skin stretching time. It's hard to hold a razor AND stretch yo face with wet (soapy) hands. Phew. Better technique ahead.

If you have an alum block, rub your wet fingers over the block and then grip your skin, You'll find that it greatly increases your ability to grab the slick, wet skin once you have a tad of the alum on your fingers.