Face stretching, not just for the wrinkly mugs.

Evening gents. Even though all the video's and FAQ's and senior members on here all extol the value of proper face stretching while shaving, I never did it much.
I guess part of me figured grimacing and sticking out my chin were enough as I have fairly taut skin still.
Well, tonight I was using a #14, wider blade, and I thought, no, I need a bit more control tonight.
So I held my sideburns for the WTG and my neck for the ATG passes.
Sometimes, prior to tonight's shave, the razor would skip a bit on my up strokes, almost wrinkling the skin a bit on the way up. Didn't want that to happen with a new razor. Does not happen when you face stretch at all.
The shave was much closer, the alum lit my face up post shave and I was really BBS in both directions..
So I guess this is just to share my own stubbornness, and delayed break through in wet shaving.
Mentors and mod's, thank you for being clear about the value of it. Wish I thought that was as important as all the other aspects of this way of shaving when I started. It is.
Always learning.
Thanks.
:chapeau

If I don't stretch my skin, I'm sure to get nicks. I do it religiously with a straight and a DE, and I'd probably do it if I had a cartridge now too.

No matter which razor I use, I always stretch the skin..... If not stretched or "tight".... That blade will jump or wrinkle my skin as you said. I have a narrow face/ skinny face. Puffing my cheeks out and making some of the most God awful expressions...... Which I'm sure we all do.

I agree with the above posts.

If I don't properly stretch the blade will bite.

You cannot over value stretching the skin. Glad you found this valuable tool in your journey! I don't have my skin banjo tight, just kind of hold so it doesn't move and bunch up. If I hold it tight it gives some irritation, but of course YMMV, happy shaving!

Yes it is an eye opener, plus you better get used to it as you get older the skin ain't going to stay as tight as it once did. Tc

Thanks for the feedback and observations from your own experiences gents.
I was lucky in avoiding cuts with my non stretching ways. It really is, for me, the last part of the straight shave equation. Woke up, still smooth faced, and still a little sting from the morning Pinaud. I think I will lighten up the stoke on the ATG in conjunction with stretching.
I almost posted this in the beginners thread, but thought here was better. It's something I should have done from the beginning. And yes, we aren't getting any less wrinkly with age..
Cheers.

What you need is that alien face stretching machine from that Star Trek Movie. It should make shaving a snap.Just watch the setting.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

What you need is that alien face stretching machine from that Star Trek Movie. It should make shaving a snap.Just watch the setting.

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You just watch and Gillette will market one with a single setting then in a few years one with 5 settings then in a few more 10 etc :banghead:

I do believe that Obie is the only one amongst us older crowd who doesn't need to do this - it's all down to his Hollywood face apparently.:cool:

Nope, I don’t do any stretching, other than some face contortions. I guess it just depends on your beard and skin.

Well if you don't do any stretching you are probably blessed with fairly taught skin. But be warned as time goes by one should do some amount of stretching lest you'll wind up posting in the Cut of the Day.

Lynn Abrams made a video showing that as he'd aged he needed to adjust his shaving technique/including more stretching.

I do believe that he said he'd developed a 'Gobbler' :w

Found the video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

In my "learning how to shave with a Straight" journey I think learning how to stretch was the most important part after the edge.
And IMHO it is one of the reasons why a shave with a Straight lasts longer than any other method.

I need to stretch or I need a transfusion...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MJC

I need to stretch or I need a transfusion...

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You know that would be a catchy signature for at the bottom of posts. :hmmm:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

You know that would be a catchy signature for at the bottom of posts. :hmmm:

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"Make mine O+ please"

Like this? :shrug:

"I need to stretch or I need a transfusion so make mine O positive please"

Absolutely - stretching is key to a safe and comfortable shave.

Was a great thread somewhere comparing the difference between a safety razor shave and a straight shave - most people don't stretch with a safety razor, and that's a key reason many don't get similar or close to results from a straight.

Stretching is a fundamental, whether a straight or a safety razor is being used....and contributes to much less loss of blood and the losing a chunks of facial tissue.:o

Nonsense.

My Broadway Face is far more rare and desired than any common Hollywood Face.

I used to be a slack skin shaver.... Unfortunatly, for some strange reason, my skin has developed a lot more slack in the past 5 years.:thinking:


It took a slippery lather and a light touch of the blade, so it had to be sharp, but I got the closest shaves that way.


Today is a different story, and I'm finding I need to take up some of that "slack" when shaving....<sigh>. I am not getting as close a shave as I used to, and ATG in particular is getting more difficult.


Regards

Kaptain "More slack and a stiffer neck does NOT, a good combination make." Zero

I'm not very quick about figuring out the initials thing - some help please. What does YMMV mean?

Your Mileage May Very.

I think there is an acronym thread somewhere, that's quite handy.
Cheers.

Acronyms and Abbreviations - Straight Razor Place Library

Thanks for the help, Mike. I'll refer to the thread often.

The Library is a gold mine of info.
Enjoy and welcome aboard..