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I been shaving with a St8 for about a year I have a DOVO 5/8 and a Begnal I can't remember the size but I been having a hard time shaving underneath the jaw line I do a normal shave then an X shave then Agaisnt the Grain but it somtimes it feels very bumpy when I under the jaw line. I was hoping if you guys gave certian techniques in shaving underneath the jaw line that is the only place I can't get it right.
I stretch the skin to create flat area's to tackle. I find that getting it very tight helps get a closer shave. Also, when going ATG i keep the razor angle quite flat relative to the skin.
I drop my jaw so my mouth is wide open and the skin from under my jawline is stretched and moved up towards the lower cheek. Then shave diagonaly downwards from under the ear to the chin. This works for me.
Can anyone actually get a shave as close with a straight edge as with a DE? I'm trying - but so far no success.
On the vast majority of my face, I get a considerably closer and longer lasting, smoother shave with a straight than I ever could with a DE. There are, i will admit, tricky spots that are still slgihtly better shaved with a DE. One spot on each side of my neck, where the hair grows sideway in an area that can't be stretched flat enough and the razor won't fit perfectly to go ATG, and right under the tip of my chin, no matter how I stretch. Both are very good, and getting better still, after months of straight shaiving, just not QUITE as good as a DE shave in those areas.Quote:
Originally Posted by wfr308
Everywhere else, especially in the sideburn area and the upper lip, nothing has ever given me a smoother longer lasting shave than the straight.
the only place i dont is my upper liip, because i dont want to slice my nose off going ATGQuote:
Originally Posted by wfr308
I do the same as the previous posters. In my case I pull the skin up or to the side and go in whichever direction works. Over time I mapped my face and I now know the direction and angle of attack that works the best for me.
I get as good a shave with a straight as I did with a DE most of the time. If I don't on a given day my razor needs a touch up or I slacked on my technique. That is talking about closeness. On comfort the straight is better for me then any DE/blade combo I ever found. BTW, I don't go ATG with a straight on the upper lip but I couldn't go ATG with a DE on my upper lip either....... not comfortably anyway. :shrug:
Closer and more comfortable afterward. Keep at it and at some point you'll get the combination of technique and equipment that gives a great shave.Quote:
Originally Posted by wfr308
Thats just what I do. Works out so that the skin normally AT the jaw line is moved up a bit (or the jaw moved down) so I never actually shave where the jaw is at the time I am shaving. (To repeat what you said in different words.)Quote:
Originally Posted by nobby
I'm a mere newbie with a straight but I think I got the upper lip figured out! I have had a mustache for over 40 years and just shaved it off two days ago -- needed more places to shave with my new toy!Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
At last night's shave I was afraid to do very much in this area so left LOTs of stubble. The annoyance of this stubble drove me to re-shave just the mustache area this AM.
I used absolutely NO pressure, or as little as I could manage, against the skin and only did the tiniest little bit at a time. I was able to go in all directions, doing the easy ones first. Constant re-lathering. I used just the tip of the blade. It took a long time but no cuts. The results were mediocre but that's par for the course in my case.
There was a bit of razor burn and a couple of small weepers that the styptic cured. I attribute the burn/weepers to the skin in that area not having been shaved for forty years so it is quite sensitive. Also those particular whiskers are really tough.
So for me it boiled down to concentration and patience.
I have the same issue with my neck and jawline areas. I try to stretch the jawline area up to my cheek and shave on a diagonal scything motion. I still can't get smooth shaves with my straights though, all honed from members here. I think it's all up to practicing a lot.
As for the DE comparison, I get the best shaves ever with my DE. A gillette NEW improved from 1926 open comb with feather blades. It feels like I haven't even hit puberty yet after I use it. My other DEs haven't given me anywhere near as close of a shave. The only reason I am still trying to get good with a straight is because it's just so cool to use and strop in the morning. I love it. I am just hoping I can achieve the super BBS that I get with the gillette NEW after a few months of practice.
I have a moustache and don't have that problem. I think that's how moustaches came into being. Too many cut noses centuries ago.;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Slartibartfast
Luckily I have a small one (styptic pencil that is).Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasBob
Is there a Jumbo Pack available in commercial strength? I'm on a pretty steep learning curve, but determined.
I'm another who opens his mouth to do that part. If you open wide enough lots of skin is moved from your neck/jaw to below the cheek where it can be shaved easily.Quote:
Originally Posted by colmustang
Yup, me too. Open your mouth wide when doing your cheeks down to your open mouth jawline, and then when you close you mouth, you will see that you have now shaved down past the angle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rajagra
I will try this tomorrow. (The open wide trick.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by wfr308
Far closer, and not even in the same league as far as irritation. I took me about 9 months before I got everything together and could use a straight properly. Honing was the last thing that I learned to do and that was only after watching someone who was a pro at it and was kind enough to show me hands on.
Shaving along the jaw line is a little tricky. I stretch and then, while the skin is stretched I go underneath with the razor from the ear to the chin. I can not see the blade which use to make me nervous but it is the only way that I can get the BBS action without going through a lot of antics.
Take Care,
Richard
By the way the piece under you ear below the jaw line? I would save that for touch up and put alum block just below my sideburns and stretch the heck out of it, then shave from my chin to my ear and with each stroke I would go farther down. I found that if you pull hard enough you can get the skin to actually ramp up from your neck to your jawline, then it is prime for the blade. BBSQuote:
Originally Posted by smokelaw1
Take Care,
Richard
By the way the piece under you ear below the jaw line? I would save that for touch up and put alum block just below my sideburns and stretch the heck out of it, then shave from my chin to my ear and with each stroke I would go farther down. I found that if you pull hard enough you can get the skin to actually ramp up from your neck to your jawline, then it is prime for the blade. BBSQuote:
Originally Posted by smokelaw1
Take Care,
Richard