Thread: Touch Ups

Originally Posted by Lynn

So how do you guys handle the touch ups??

I use a different stroke for the touch ups. It's sort of a combination of blade buffing and the scooping motion you use on the upper lip just below the nose...except the scooping is done at a much shallower angle. I find by doing that I can get the hairs I'm after quicker and with less discomfort than by trying several passes at different blade angles.

I almost hesitate to mention this because I don't like to foster bad habits (even though I have plenty and with shaving it's all about what works right?) but you can use the scooping stroke if you are having trouble finding the proper angle while making an ATG pass. By using very short strokes and varying the blade angle from very shallow to almost nothing you can make up for a lack of beard prep, technique and/or sharpness. I've used this trick from time to time when traveling or when I didn't have time to hone and needed to milk one last BBS shave out of a razor.

Originally Posted by AusTexShaver

I use a different stroke for the touch ups. It's sort of a combination of blade buffing and the scooping motion you use on the upper lip just below the nose...except the scooping is done at a much shallower angle. I find by doing that I can get the hairs I'm after quicker and with less discomfort than by trying several passes at different blade angles.

I almost hesitate to mention this because I don't like to foster bad habits (even though I have plenty and with shaving it's all about what works right?) but you can use the scooping stroke if you are having trouble finding the proper angle while making an ATG pass. By using very short strokes and varying the blade angle from very shallow to almost nothing you can make up for a lack of beard prep, technique and/or sharpness. I've used this trick from time to time when traveling or when I didn't have time to hone and needed to milk one last BBS shave out of a razor.

That sound like an interesting addition to the arsenal of advanced shaving techniques. If I understand correctly, your use sort of a short "rocking" buffing stroke?
Although I never tried it, I can see it work very well on patches with swirling hair growth and such. Time to do some more adventurous moves on that face, eh?

I'll keep you posted.

Bart.

Thanks Ray for sharing that video.. first I've seen of such a thing... reminds me of singing pinfeathers off of a freshly plucked chicken... lol

Thanks for the cool vid Ray. I would love to go to that barber shop for the post shave/haircut massage. I could do without the barber tapping me with the little hammer though What was that about ?

Originally Posted by Bart

That sound like an interesting addition to the arsenal of advanced shaving techniques. If I understand correctly, your use sort of a short "rocking" buffing stroke?
Although I never tried it, I can see it work very well on patches with swirling hair growth and such. Time to do some more adventurous moves on that face, eh?

Well I don't know if I would call it "advanced" or not...like my patent pending vibrating stroke it's more of an advancement in years than technique.

Based on your description I think you understand. It's hard to describe the actual motion but "scooping" is the closest thing that comes to mind. The blade starts at a 10-15 degree angle and reduces to 0 as the razor moves thru 1/4 to 1/2 inches of travel. It's also easier to do ATG than WTG as you can think of it as grabbing onto the hairs and prying them out.

Give it a try and let us know how it works!

I actually do a 4 pass shave due to the fact my hair grows in so many angles and my skin seems to appriciate a second XTG befor I go for ATG. From time to time I might have to go back and touch up along the curve under my jaw line on my right side, most of the time I don't. But at the same time my shaving time is a Relaxation time for me so the extra time for the extra pass is SOOOO much more relaxing!