Thread: Any chin shaving tips?

Okay, basically no problem cutting anywhere else (aside from a few small hard-to-reach areas I'm still figuring out), but the chin is still driving me crazy--after 2 XTG passes, I sometimes have to do a WTG pass w/ my old DE to make it look acceptable. Everywhere else is smoother/closer than ever.

What I do: Lots of prep, plenty of stropping, lead WAY w/ the point/heel (>45 deg.), 1.5-2 spine widths angle. I try to use super light pressure (just wipe the shaving cream off) and it works great everywhere else, but pulls to the point of no cutting on my chin. I've already given myself a few nice cuts from pressing harder. Any tips? Razor is a 5/8 full-hollow spike point, FWIW.

I wont be of any help, I had similar problems early on. I dont know what I did, but now it works fine for me. I guess maybe its just a "hang in there" problem... Until we can get a traveling SRP representative to go door to door and assess problems, we'll never know. Good luck though, I'm sure you'll figure out what works.

just a thought....watch the videos out there, such as Lynns DVD or any of the youtube vids. Pay atention to what they are doing and look for things you are not doing. I caught a number of guys performing facial gymnastics that were never mentioned. One thing that is mentioned oer and over is stretchinng the skin. I use the technic where you roll you bottom lip over your teeth, and sort of stick your chin out. This helps a buch for me, though I have had a razor stop dead on a single hair on my chin.....

I use to have a lot of trouble with the chin. I always do 3 passes on the chin even if I do only 2 everywhere else.

Pass 1; North to South
Pass 2; From ear to center of chin
Pass 3. From center to ear.

My chin has hair that has a beard that grows both ways from the center line out. YMMV

Later,
Richard

Excessive pulling to me sounds like you may have an edge
that is not as sharp as you may want. Try 100 strokes on
the linen side of your strop, or go back to the hones if nec-
essary.

- Scott

+1 Scott has it right.

Richard

I have found that if your blade is sharp enough. a South to Northwest pass starting at the center of the chin works well. then move east and repeat along the sides of the chin and mouth. That has worked the best for me when I started doing it a few weeks ago.

I have also found that shaving the chin goes best with my sharpest razor. I have also found that short light strokes work best.

bj

I usually move my chin not the razor and it works great for me. For example, I place the blade on my chin and use my facial muscles lifting my jaw to move the skin past the blade. I have yet to nick my chin when using this method. I also move the razor along the jawline while pulling the ear to stretch the skin. You will have to be careful as you get to the point of the chin with this technique.

I STILL haven't started shaving with a straight but this is my suggestion from my experiences with a DE (works for me)

1st pass. Down. longish strokes without stretching the skin much if at all, from the lip to just under the chin, 25 degree angle on the blade. As per method shaving except for the blade angle.

2nd pass. Right to left xtg, buffing type strokes (half inch, lift blade, another half inch) with the skin held a little tighter but not excessively taut 30 degree blade angle. Small strokes down (again) in the crease in the chin (0 pressure) at 35 degree angle

If that isn't close enough (and it usually is for me unless I'm going for bbs)
3rd pass. Left to right xtg as with second pass.

Under the chin I usually do the opposite (xtg R->L then down from top to bottom)

Notes:
1/Aim for beard reduction, not beard elimination. Comfort first.
2/Relather the area before you touch it - eg shave everywhere else except for the "goatee" area then relather that area before you go over it as it will probably have dried a bit.
3/Squeeze the shaving brush before you lather so you get ultra foamy lather for the area, that way the razor will glide smoother across it and is less likely to catch or cut.