Thread: Could just be me, but why...

Ive noticed that at times when i get just an ok shave, like the edge could have been a little keener and after my 3 pass shave im not as clean of whiskers as normal, i find 24 hours later when its time to shave again the whiskers seem to be sharper tipped. Or something that makes them feel less comfortable when running a hand across the preshaven face. Also a slight feeling of discomfort while shaving.

Normally the day after a grear shave i dont have this feeling. Wondering what might be the cause of this. I dont think its razor burn or any skin issue, more like the feel of the whisker tips.

Any ideas on this?

Well, if it's the same razor then you have two possibilities. You might be having an off day or the razor might need a touch up. If the next days shave with the same razor gives a better result then you can eliminate the razor.

Now if you really want to be technical maybe the prep wasn't as good or the shave soap was different or your face was not prepped enough or maybe driving that truck with the window open and that cold air blowing on yer face affected yer skin.

Maybe the full moon, who knows.

Or, perhaps a slightly dull razor pushes the whisker more before cutting it giving it more of a chisel shape rather than a flat top?

It usually boils down to us. We never do things exactly the same.

I know the feeling. The hair being cut more on a chisel angle seems about right for the feeling. When it happens to me it is generally when I don’t shave right out of the shower, or really cold out and the house just seems a lil chilly. So I lean a little more to the prep side for my just ok shaves.

Chisel angled cut. Yeah, i think that explains it. At least now i know why im getting the feeling. Could be im just needing to work on that edge some more. Just to the point of not being sharp enough.

Thanks for the opinions. I think you nailed it.

I get the same thing, from time to time, Jerry.
I found that once I started doing a X pass (chin - base of neck below the ear, jawline at the ear - below the Adams apple) has helped eliminate that problem....most of the time. YMMV



Don't forget to stretch the skin.!

Thanks for the details Mike! I have not figured out how to hold the razor and go from below the ear to addams apple. Ive tried a few things but im just not getting that move down. Im missing something.
The other two i do. I think if i could get that syroke down id be in great shape.

BTW, we have the same look. Just my whiskers and hair have lost all color except gray. Ha.

One other thing I have found that makes all the difference for me with a straight: the lather. I have started shaves before with freshly-honed and stropped blades that I knew were laser-sharp, and got horrible tugging even on my 1st WTG pass-WTH? Just as an experiment, I rinsed off, re-worked the soap and hydrated my lather a little more, and bingo, the velvet squeegee effect with the same blade I knew I had nailed the edge on. It really is the little things, and every straight I have shaves a little differently, likes a slightly different stroke or angle, whatever. I'll never be one of these guys who takes copious notes on honing and shaving, accounting for variables, etc. So I sometimes forget and have to relearn these concepts.

I agree with you on this as i too habe found a difference with lathers. Its like if the lather is not wet enough then it doesnt penitrate the whisker enough to soften it up for the trimming.