Thread: Having trouble shaving the Jaw line

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.

Originally Posted by nobby

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.

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.)

Can anyone actually get a shave as close with a straight edge as with a DE? I'm trying - but so far no success.

Originally Posted by wfr308

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.
Everywhere else, especially in the sideburn area and the upper lip, nothing has ever given me a smoother longer lasting shave than the straight.

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

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.
Everywhere else, especially in the sideburn area and the upper lip, nothing has ever given me a smoother longer lasting shave than the straight.

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. BBS


Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

One spot on each side of my neck, where the hair grows sideway

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. BBS


Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by wfr308

Can anyone actually get a shave as close with a straight edge as with a DE? I'm trying - but so far no success.

the only place i dont is my upper liip, because i dont want to slice my nose off going ATG

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.