Thread: First real shave = FAIL

I cant figure out what I did wrong.
I seriously did about 8 - 10 passes on this area. WTG XTG and ATG.
I used a Wapi from Mike.
I didnt strop or anything, just used out of box.
I did a hot towel wrap on my face prior to the shave.



Even with all the passes I made, I didnt get much irritation.

What could I possibly be doing wrong?!

First off - the chin is by far the most difficult area.

Second - what angle did you use? Too shallow, and you'll glide over the hairs, not cut them. To steep, and the razor will pull and skip all over the place.

Third - I'd try stropping anyways.

I agree with HenrikWL. Watch the blade angle; vary it a bit to find that sweet spot where the whiskers fly off the face. And definitely stop this next time around.

Keep it up! First shaves are usually crap, but they really open the eyes as to what it takes to get a good shave.

~Chris

Eric the most important thing, is what you left out of yer post.... Other than the chin area, how did the shave go on the cheeks and side burn areas????

Ooo, good questions, Glen!

Also, stretching the skin is very important...especially around the chin area. It makes those hairs stand up so they can be swiped off the face.

~Chris

EDIT: Hey Glen, is GemStar the GS in gssixgun? Just Kidding...

Oh! That's strange! You didn't try to shave with the back of the blade, did you?

Jordan

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Eric the most important thing, is what you left out of yer post.... Other than the chin area, how did the shave go on the cheeks and side burn areas????

The sideburn area was the best. although even after 6 passes, even going ATG it still has quite a bit of stubble.

I was watching my hairs close up, and I was just watching them getting caught on the blade, and then somehow slipping right under it.

Do you think this may be caused by bad angle?

OK 6 passes is just to much my friend, First let's do a quick test on your edge place the blade flat on your arm and see if it pops arm hairs, if not that is your problem... Strop very carefully,,, 50 linen laps and 100 leather laps and try again....It should pop arm hair like no tomorrow....
If that works then concentrate on the angle, the best way I have ever heard it put, is that the blade edge and the hair should meet at the skin using no pressure, the hair should be sliced away... Start with the blade at a flat and then angle very slightly away about 1-2 spine widths and adjust to cut the beard... It is so hard to try and tell you this with just words

Also, I would suggest that you PM Mike he might have even better suggestions than I do, he is way more knowledgeable with Wapi's than I am.... I have only worked with 2 of them, ever....

Wow, the last picture I saw that looked like that was an electron microscope photo of a housefly.

Seriously, though, you should ALWAYS strop, even if your blade has just come off of the hone. As has been mentioned, you are looking at the toughest area of your entire face to get a close shave -- even for experienced straight users. I still use a DE on problem areas sometimes, and that chin area is the worst. Blade angle is most likely the culprit. Hold the blade flat against your face and then lift the spine up about 2 spine widths and see how that works. Good luck, and don't be discouraged. There's a big learning curve here, but you've already taken a big step -- overcoming your fear of trying it at all.