Thread: Stubble

Well...last few days i noticed that my razor isnt giving me quite the clean shave. I still have visible stubble on the WTG passes. I dont really try for BBS all the time i just want the visible stubble to be removed. As far as I know my angle is correct. The blade is sharp and still passing HHT. I can hear the blade going over the whiskers as it makes that familiar sound, but its not clearing the small stuff. Any clue as to what im doing wrong at this point. Im traveling atm, so I only have my 7/8 Filly.

Isaac: Sounds like wrong angle, dull razor or a combination of both. Try shaving the hair on your arm with the same motion you use shaving your face. On a truly sharp razor, the hairs seem to jump away from the blade when cut.

Razor shaved the hair right off my arm. I dunno..using the same angle..maybe im changing it when i shave...very frustrating

I would also try and adjust how you are pulling your skin. If you have faith that your razor is good and your angle correct, then the last thing is to ensure you are stretching properly.

You didn't say how many shaves your razor has given you since it was last honed. If you are sure your technique is sound and your stropping is good and you have had at least 15+ shaves from that razor it might need some touch up sharpening on either a fine hone or a pasted strop. I know many here say they can get months and months of shaving between honing but personally I find after about 15 or so shaves (depending on the razor) I need to take it to the coticule for a few strokes.

Yeah..more than 15 shaves. I figured if it was passing HHT i didnt need to do a touchup. SHould i give it 10 storkes on 1.0 and 0.5?

I have a Yellow Cuticle coming to me tomorrow...but ive never honed in my life..dont wanna mess up the blade.

I'd go for 5 and 5 if I were you. 10 of each may be overkill (yeah, Lynn, I'm slowly moving into your camp lol). I do about 6-7 on the 0.5mic Cr2O3 but I've got an insanely large stropping surface (12"x3.25") to play with.

Originally Posted by IsaacRN

I have a Yellow Cuticle...

Let me guess... are you a smoker?

I find that when the first pass becomes less effective it's an indication of a lack of sharpness. If you did try for BBS and it was an issue with sharpness, you'd definitely know about it from the extra burn you'd get.
(Another reason why shave test is the ultimate indicator!) I'd also echo what others have suggested and go for a touch-up on the pasted paddles rather than hitting the hone without practice.

You can still get the stubble off on a single pass by using shorter strokes that go in multiple directions. You can go wtg and then follow that area of the face with xtg while the skin is still wet enough. I might do as many as 8 small multi-direction strokes on a single area of the chin. I still count that as a single over-all pass since I don't stop and relather. This technique, at least for me, saves time and gives a great, smooth shave.
Hope this helps!
Ron.