Thread: Okay let's talk about the chin

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 pull the skin tight and shave from my cheek toward the center of my chin. This east-west motion seems to work the best for me, provided the skin is TAUT. You'll find what works for you eventually, I got many nicks myself before I found what worked. Remember that everyone's chin bone is shaped differently.

First north to south. Then south to north. Finally from cheek to center of chin from both sides. On all passes I stretch the skin with fingers and tongue.

I just grew a goatee

Couldn't help myself....

I shorten up my strokes on the chin and this helps to make the required angle adjustments. I also use the face/chin muscles to either point the chin or pull it up depending on the situation. Sometimes I re-lather and/or re-strop when it's chin time. I do believe I use an unconventional grip on the razor for a certain part of it as well.

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!