Thread: Straight razor and facial hair

For all those straight razor shavers with facial hair, do you have any specific tips or tricks that you have developed over time? I have facial hair that is between a short, chin strap/beard style, that stops around my jaw line. So i have basically all of my neck and under my chin, and then about 1/2 to 2/3 of my cheek that i shave, and a little bit to keep the mustache in check.

I am not sure how many straight razor shavers out there have facial hair, but im sure there are some.. show me some love!! ..or just some advice is fine.

I have a goatee, I find it quite easy to maintain with a straight razor. You really just have to take your time when you're shaving right next to the whiskers you want to keep. Take your time, figure out which way your beard grows and find a way to hold the razor that is comfortable to you. You'll go through a couple different techniques until you find your own system.

For me, I shave WTG to begin, then XTG going away from my goatee towards my ear, finishing with an ATG (toe of razor near ear, heel towards goatee). I think that makes sense, it does in my head...

A shorty may come in handy too. I have not used one but I may make one soon just to see what it's all about. Less blade more finesse ?

I just sport a handle bar so.......

I'm a newb with a full beard and 'stache, so I'm only shaving my neck and cheeks. And it's not as difficult as I'd feared.

So far, I've shaved with only true straights (no smilers, yet), both square/spike and round points, in sizes from 5/8ths to 7/8ths. Here's some of what I've learned so far:

• I don't have a preference for a point style, yet. But I'm VERY wary of spike points!
• I'm not coordinated enough to shave my neckline or Adam's apple with larger blades. 5/8ths works fine, but 7/8ths is just work, especially ATG at the jaw line. I imagine that will change with more experience and practice; at least I hope so...I have an 8/8ths I hope to use some day!
• The razor's heel...it doesn't have a "heal" ...really is great for lining out the cheeks. Just like many of the folks here have said!
• I don't always feel the need to chase a baby butt smooth shave, especially on my neck. One good pass with one of my straights is AT LEAST as good as what I got after multiple passes with my Gillette Sensor!
• Slow is fast...fast is slow

I say, "Go for it!" I'm glad that I did!