Clean, Neat, and Straight Beard Lines

[frustratedSRuser]

Now that I finally got shaving with a straight razor down, i'm no longer a frustrated straight razor user. How can I make clean, neat, and straight beard lines with my straight razor when there's shaving cream on my face? I did it good the first time, but I have a hard time seeing where i'm shaving. I end up shaving off part of the beard I want to save. Suggestions anyone?

Thanks!

[Moggs]

I lather with shameless amounts of cream but I'm careful to start my first stroke a little way from my beard line. I find that this approximation has become more refined as I have practised. The latter passes are made with a very dilute lather (thinning down to a 'water pass') when I am able to carefully 'edge' my way up to the desired shape line. This is of course, easier if a smoooth shave is maintained.

[sebell]

Just before shaving up to the edge of my (du jour) Van Dyck,
I wipe away the lather with my finger enough to get a see
the edge clearly. Shave away!

- Scott

[sbrouwers]

Trimming up the side burns I just start a little away from the edge and shave as normal then go back and apply a small amount of lather to that spot where I want to trim. I have to use some alternate grips for those spots to keep my hand out of the way so I can see where I am with the blade.

[mikemeatman]

+2 with sebell, I do the same. I also lay my razor down at the edge of my go-tee & shave away/out from it. That way I never shave in to it. I did plenty of that when I first started LOL.

[sebell]

+2 with sebell, I do the same. I also lay my razor down at the edge of my go-tee & shave away/out from it. That way I never shave in to it. I did plenty of that when I first started LOL.

Interesting! My first pass WTG would be away from my chin,
but I do a second XTG pass right up towards the goatee. I
do this carefully, of course.

- Scott