Thread: Removing thick stubble

Hi all,

Got about a week's worth of stubble to get rid of and I was wondering what's the best way of doing this. Am I going to cut/cause pain to myself if I try to remove it by shaving it as I usually do with a straight?

I have quite thick whiskers anyway and don't normally have a problem shaving three or even four days' stubble, but I wanted to check with the pro's here to see if there is a better way, perhaps less painful method of removing thick stubble.

Thanks in advance!

Not much of a problem as long as you use proper prep. Yesterday I wiped off 6 days' worth since my new razor won't be arriving before Monday and it was beginning to itch lol.
1) Wash your face with soap and warm water to take out all of the oil that your skin deposited on the hair
2) Hot towel (optional)
3) Lather up and let sit for 2min
4) Wipe off the stubble

Just do what you always do. Best is to go with the grain first and give the lather some more time to soften the whiskers.

I have the same problem RUM. What I do is, I use a set of Hair Clippers on a #0 setting and run them over my face first. This takes the stubble down a good degree and makes shaving it off, a pain free exercise.

Try my tip and report back via pm.
Graham.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Wow, three responses in less than 15 mins. This forum rocks!!

Responding to each of you individually:

FiReSTaRT - thanks. I'm definitely going to go for the towel treatment. So long as our water is hot enough (and I like it scalding!), it's a very relaxing experience. I have the last few drops left of my tub of GFT Rose cream to use up. It's almost exactly 15 months since I bought it!! And I've been using it every week since (once or twice a week).

Kees - definitely will do. My skin is unfortunately incapable of doing "against the grain" passes. I get too many ingrown hairs that way - and nasty ones at that. Whiskers are quite curly you see...

poona - this has been suggested to me by someone, which is one reason why I asked the question here. I am a little sceptical of anything electric as I get too many ingrown hairs if I don't shave properly with a straight. However, I am not going to brush-away your advice just like that! I was thinking maybe I could trim one cheek tonight and then see how it shaves tomorrow.

Thanks again to all of you for your speedy and informative replies!

Rum,

I took off my entire goatee (5 years growth ) using normal shaving methods just the other day. If the straight is sharp enough, thick growth shouldn't be a problem.

James.

Trust me, ive been doing it for years and haven't had a single problem. It's the way to do it tbh.

Graham.

It worked a treat. I ended up taking it all off with my trusty Robeson Shuredge. Went through it like a blow torch through butter. Left me with a very refreshed feeling afterwards. The electric didn't have enough charge in it, but I suppose there can always be another time.

As you see, there wasn't a necessity for it. Good show

If I shaved with a cartridge or DE I would definately trim before to avoid clogging, but with a straight I don't need to. I soak in the bath with my beard under water breathing through my nose for a bit. That hydrates enough to make shaving a weeks beard easy.