Thread: Okay let's talk about the chin

Originally Posted by gflight

I just grew a goatee

Couldn't help myself....

...same reason I grew a moustache 40+ years ago...just couldn't get that upper lip.

Originally Posted by gflight

I just grew a goatee

Couldn't help myself....

You beat me to it! For the chin issue, I would use a mirror to get reeeeaaaallllyy close and watch the blade as you shave a bit at a time. This is easier with really thin lather, where you can see the individual hairs. Also, try to think of cutting them "down" and not completely off as you shave. It has helped me develop pressure and stroke direction for ultra sensitive spots.

When I first started with a straight and had just about the whole face down the chin was the last real estate to master. (I have a full mustache).

Each time I would start down the chin this critter on my left shoulder said full speed ahead just straight down and around your chin and down your neck. But this critter on my right shoulder said you do that and you gonna slice yer chin right off and you'll be enroute to the hospital with your chin in a baggy.

Well I just froze and then one day I said the hell with it and you know what. I just went straight down and around the chin and down the neck like it was nothing.

So the moral to the story is once you develop facility with the razor there ain't nothing you can't do if you have the courage.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

I am interested in hearing from you guys about shaving the chin. I would like to hear your strategies, your little tips and tricks for a neat close shave on the chin...without nicks. I have watched every video and read every post on shaving the chin...and I am still occasionally nicking myself on my non-dominant hand side of my chin. I have no problem shaving every other part of my face...just my chin is driving me crazy!

I'm trying also, cut myself the last 2 times, I think left to right or right to left is better and yes a tight skin is a must.. I cut myself real good the other day(going too fast) using a super sharp Landers Frary & Clark. Its my sharpest one yet, I've trying use it as a bench mark for the rest of my razors, so far its been a trial.

This morning I put some of your good advice into action and had a great shave...no nicks, cuts, abrasions...and most important no blood! I went slow, paid extra attention to angle and pressure and ensuring the lather was full and wet, worked fine!

Having the same problem with my chin, I will try some of the advice here when I shave this morning.

Originally Posted by supersets

Having the same problem with my chin, I will try some of the advice here when I shave this morning.

Another strategy that seems to work for the chin is to do a first pass with a DE or SE and then do a second pass on the chin with a SR. It is going through the copper wire thick chin stubble on the first pass that is so difficult. The first pass with the DE/SE covers that...then develop some muscle memory with a second pass with a SR. Seems to work fine. Eventually won't need the first pass with a DE/SE.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

You beat me to it! For the chin issue, I would use a mirror to get reeeeaaaallllyy close and watch the blade as you shave a bit at a time. This is easier with really thin lather, where you can see the individual hairs. Also, try to think of cutting them "down" and not completely off as you shave. It has helped me develop pressure and stroke direction for ultra sensitive spots.

I found out by chance that the "really thin lather" portion of Dinnermint's great advice is key. A tube of Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Shave cream fell out of my cabinet onto the floor, snapping off its plastic cap. I shave with soaps and creams, brush and straight. I only kept the Neutrogena around to provide extra glide for using gift soaps of dubious quality but sweet intention. My kind benefactors were thrilled that I tried the soap they found, and I was thrilled that the Neutrogena kept me from harsh shaves. Otherwise, it went unused... until gravity took over.

Once the cap snapped, I could watch it dry out slowly or use it. So I used it for straight razor shaves. It became that "really thin lather" than Dinnermint mentions as an easy way to see what is happening with the chin. With the thin "whitewash" of Neutrogena Shave Cream, my callous disregard of the contour of the right side of my chin was exposed. My clumsy, non-dominant hand, under-the-jawline strokes were shown to be inconsistent frauds, explaining the stubble often left there. I found out exactly why I occasionally got nicks or redness in certain places. In only took ten or so shaves, but I became much, much better at my straight razor shaving, especially on my chin. This improvement lasted when I returned to the thick lathers of the heavenly soaps and creams I love. I remembered what I saw through the whitewash and applied it to my regular shaving.

Did the Neutrogena have the scent, loft, or luxurious feel of my regular soaps and creams? Well, no, not at all, but it was a hell of a lesson to use it.

If you try it, keep the hand you use to stretch the face out of the cream, or it will lose all traction when it touches the Neutrogena.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

Another strategy that seems to work for the chin is to do a first pass with a DE or SE and then do a second pass on the chin with a SR. It is going through the copper wire thick chin stubble on the first pass that is so difficult. The first pass with the DE/SE covers that...then develop some muscle memory with a second pass with a SR. Seems to work fine. Eventually won't need the first pass with a DE/SE.

I like the sound of this and will try it.

I don't shave daily anymore so I have heavy growth when I do shave.

Practicing with butter knifed GD has help develop some muscle memory etc. but the chin and a couple neck hollows still challenge me.

Pushing seventy my face is slowly sliding off my skull creating creases and crevices at angles that defying straight razors. Har!

Originally Posted by jmercer

I like the sound of this and will try it.

Let me know how this approach works for you. I have been getting good results so far.