Thread: Newbie question

Hi all I'm hoping I can post here I'm having problems from my phone. Okay I'm a month into straights. I'm noticing problem areas on the wind pipe and under the chin. I guess we all have them as such. I tend to like the BBS feel but don't really like the going over the same areas multiple times getting them inflamed(for lack of a better term). How best to achieve good results with minimal discomfort?
This far I'm stretching the skin and putting alum on my fingertips. Good pre shave routine along with a good post shave routine. I'm keeping my wrist locked and trying to maintain my two spine width angle. I've tried to look at facial mapping programs but for some reason unknown to me they don't wo on my iPhone.
Thanks to all who take the time to look at this post and offer suggestions

I found that switching from soap to cream (Truefitt and Hill) and adding a few drops of glycerin really helped me. I often do 4-5 passes around the windpipe to get BBS, and no irritation.

welcome to SRP Nighthawk: Using a lather with a thinner consistency works better than a thick DE shaving lather. Tell us about the edge on your razor. Did it come "truly shave ready" or do you hone your own razors. Go to youtube and search for the three pass shave. Watch the video of the gentleman shaving while listening to classical music. Watching his method for a three pass shave really helped improve my shaving technique.

The windpipe area is a tricky spot. The only way I can get any results is by using the tip of my razor and very, very lightly pick at that area, shaving the air more than the skin. And that's with a lot of skin stretching. Usually I pick in all the directions of the compass. But be extremely careful, even with a round nose razor. If you are using a spike or square point I'm even more careful - they 'bite' very easily.

as said before, is your razor truly shave ready? and as a newbie , your technique probably isn't there yet this takes time ,, and the angle isn't always 2 blade thicknesses sometimes almost flat ,, it comes with more experience , but I did learn that having a properly honed razor and technique cured my razor burn. where in ms. are you? tc

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

The windpipe area is a tricky spot. The only way I can get any results is by using the tip of my razor and very, very lightly pick at that area, shaving the air more than the skin. And that's with a lot of skin stretching. Usually I pick in all the directions of the compass. But be extremely careful, even with a round nose razor. If you are using a spike or square point I'm even more careful - they 'bite' very easily.

Best description of why I do is "scythe-like". Short, almost angular upward passes.

Everyones face is different so those hair mapping pictures might not relate to your face. Let your beard grow for a few days and see what direction they grow for yourself. If your shaving against the grain on your 1st pass thats a sure fire way to get razor burn. Dont get hung up on BBS, for me comfort always comes 1st.

You are relatively very new to straight razors. I would not beat up yourself about not getting a BBS shave on your neck just at this time. IMO BBS is overated. Anyhow, you need to give yourself more time and it will come. They say around here on this forum that it takes around 100 shaves to get a good decent technique down to a comfortable shave.


Mike

As has been mentioned scything and guillotine strokes work, as does stretching the skin to the side of the windpipe. I have also found that different grips help, for example on the right hand side of my neck I sometimes use my left hand and shave from the back of my jaw forwards, sort of hard to explain. It looks and feels a bit awkward but works well.
As for beard mapping, grow your stubble out a bit, draw a face and neck, feel your stubble and then section the drawing to suit your growth pattern and draw arrows on it, or just use a mirror and whiteboard markers I suppose.
In time if you work on a small section at a time and concentrate on what you are doing a physical beard map won't be necessary.
Regards ed.

This started off as a trouble spot for me as well. I move the skin on one pass to the right of my wind pipe, and on a second pass to the left, hitting it with the razor over two passes in each hand. I also use an even lighter touch there, just barely letting it glide over that area, as it is particularly sensitive to me. Works pretty well in my case....might be a thing to try. I am very new at this is well and every successive shave I learn something new, even if only in a very isolated area.