Thread: Okay let's talk about the chin

It's all in the wrist, and the skin stretch and the short strokes and the curves require an ever changing razor roll to maintain a great angle. When in doubt use less angle and more stretching or holding. The chin tends to be real wiggly for me so it requires more holding.

I finish the chin with my DE...still. Been shaving with a DE for a long time, just recently started straight shaving but I still go easy on some areas and I'm still learning. I guess once you master the chin you've graduated from the str8 razor academy.

Never a good thing to rush anything and shaving should be relaxing. One step at a time and don't let yourself feel inferior to anyone because nobody was born taught. It's all trial and error and lots of patience...and a steady hand lol.

You may have already done this, but if not, now is a good time to properly map your beard growth using this nifty little app: Whiskarmap.

Then, think about why you are nicking yourself. There are two ways to do that: either you are moving the blade sideways (and that should be easy to fix), or you are keeping the blade at too steep an angle, and applying too much pressure.

It might help to have someone watch you shave, and make you aware of errors. The wife found that a rewarding pastime, albeit for the wrong reasons ("ha! more blood! haha!"...).

I'm still working on my chin after a couple years. I got the wiggly chin skin that defies stretching. I have a horizontal old age crease across my chin under my lip that defies all razors. I'm getting there with all the great advice.

Originally Posted by RobinK

Then, think about why you are nicking yourself. There are two ways to do that: either you are moving the blade sideways (and that should be easy to fix), or you are keeping the blade at too steep an angle, and applying too much pressure.

I am quite certain it is not the blade moving sideways...I am very attentive to that. It is more likely poor angle and too much pressure. And because it is on the side of my non-dominant hand I am inclined to think it is probably too much pressure. I just need to be more mindful of what that blade is doing at every moment!

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 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!