Thread: How do you get that spot?

My chin is not shaped for shaving. Even with the old Extreme3 that spot was tricky.

I just can't shave the very tip of my chin and the area right under it, wich in my case is kind of shaped like a w, so I have a slight "hole" under the chin.


Also the sideburns are tricky. How do you know exactly where to start shaving?


I still am noob so I only go with the grain at the moment.

I also have a couple of places that I can't reach with the blade so I do some extreme stretching and pull them to a place I can reach.

My chin is tough as well; I have a pretty deep clef. Along with a lot of stretching, as Chimensch suggested, try making short strokes with the heal of the blade.

On the sideburns, I usually try to get as close to the hairline as I can on my downward pass, and then when I'm going upwards, I touch it up. Going down is hard because it can be tough to see what you're doing, but going up you should have a clear view.

I see that you're not going against the grain yet, but just below your sideburns is a good place to start when you are ready. I find I have very good control there (even with the left hand), and it tends to be a less sensitive spot, so you probably won't irritate yourself too much.

I have a couple spots I cannot get to adequately -yet. I find myself stroking these throughout the day.

I've been considering cutting down a razor to fit for an under the jaw E-W as it seems the blade length is the issue; however sure I am that this is inexperience speaking. I have taken a personal vow to avoid my saftey razor crutch in touching up this area, while practicing different ways to approach until it works or I grind one down.

Originally Posted by cybrok

My chin is not shaped for shaving. Even with the old Extreme3 that spot was tricky.

I just can't shave the very tip of my chin and the area right under it, wich in my case is kind of shaped like a w, so I have a slight "hole" under the chin.


Also the sideburns are tricky. How do you know exactly where to start shaving?


I still am noob so I only go with the grain at the moment.

Re: the sideburns, I also kept screwing them up even when paying great deals of attention to where I placed the blade to begin with. What I now do is start my WTG stroke well below the sideburn. I use an XTG stroke that basically runs from nose to ear with the blade held vertically. On this pass I watch the toe of the blade and trim my sideburn when I have a clear view above the toe rather than trying to guess if I was right when the blade was blocking my view on a downward stroke.

It has been just over three years now for me using a straight, and there are still a few spots that I either can not reach, or I just can't get the right angle to get the hairs. If a grip or stroke with the razor does not feel comfortable to me even when going very slow; I just grab my DE. There is no shame in touching up with a DE instead of your straight. Personaly I would just rather be safe.

Honestly, there is only that chin spot that I just can't reach.

I don't say I can do a BBS shave elsewhere, but if in 3 years I still can't reach it, I grow a goatee (but without the mustache, how is it called anyway?)

My chin is tricky, plus the jawline under it has some of the toughest facial hair known to man, probably!
I have to do 4 passes there (WTG, XTG in, then out, ATG) to equal what 2 passes do everywhere else. I use a very pronounced scything motion, otherwise the hair will stop the blade (leading WAAYY with the heel/toe). I try and keep pressure pretty light there, for obvious reasons. And as mentioned above, I make lots of little, short strokes.

Works for me, but I still wish I could do it in 2 passes!

Originally Posted by cybrok

Honestly, there is only that chin spot that I just can't reach.

I don't say I can do a BBS shave elsewhere, but if in 3 years I still can't reach it, I grow a goatee (but without the mustache, how is it called anyway?)

EDIT:

I have the same problem under my chin. I have such a hard time getting a close shave right underneath. I have a pretty coarse beard (the actual hairs) and around the chin area is probably the thickest. I don't have the W thing going on but it is really hard to stretch the skin and to get the right angle. I have made some progress on it by trying to shave small strips at a time. However, it does tend to get very razor burned. Keep at it and I will too!

Also I have a hard time on the jawline. On the ATG pass it can be pretty painful. I also tend to have a harder time getting a close shave on the right side jawline part of my face. Is it possible that because of the way it has been honed that it cuts better shaving in one direction and worse when flipped?? This is something I have been wondering about for a while. It could be my technique of course though I try to keep the angle consistent. I just alway seem to be able to still feel the stubble there while it is totally smooth on the other side of the jaw.