Thread: Taking it on the chin

For those of you following my saga, I've been at this straight razor obsession now for about 6 weeks. Started by nosing about in these forums and collecting a bunch of valuable information. Then it was on to ebay and several other sites to procure steel and other (more or less) expensive accessories to make said steel razor sharp--(insert Tim Allen like, gutteral grunt).
Following honing success--Genco razor passed hanging hair test on October 15th; I attempted my first straight razor shave on October 16th. Moderate success--it was not the closest shave, but there was no serious bloodletting. I finished that shave with my Mach III. I continued touch-up with the M3 until 10/27 and have since been using a straight exclusively. I figured that the only way to really learn how to use this tool was to discard the crutch (the M3). I've worked on two other razors, a black diamond and a Silberstahl; both seem to be in shaving trim. Then, so that I'd have a point of comparison, I purchased a hen and rooster from David Uthed--(Thanks David)--and when it arrived, I promptly put it into my shaving rotation. I was pleasently surprised that my honing attempts seemed to compare pretty well with the blade from David.
Anyway, I've been preping with lots of hot water, using Surry glycerine shaving soap and a Men-u premium shaving brush. I feel like I've been making pretty good progress with my technique--(Thanks Lynn for the great shaving video), but I'm having a heck of a time getting my chin shaved cleanly. I am making two full passes, N-S then S-N, but it seems that in order to clean up my chin I've got to make a bunch of passes from at least six different directions.
I know I tend to be impatient when it comes to learning a new skill . I really wish my beard would grow faster so that I could practice more often than once a day--not really, but you know what I mean. I guess I'm just fishing for some advise from those of you (most of you) that are much more experienced than am I. Is there a trick I'm missing, or do I just need to relax and allow my skills to develop at a reasonable (slow) rate?
Thanks for all your help so far, and that yet to come,
Ed

Ed,

I think for me personally the chin has been the hardest area to shave well. I find though that the sharper the razor the easier this becomes. I usually make a N-S pass and Then W-E pass ( it might be E-W can't figure it out in the mirror). Slow down and take it easy. It will all come together I at least I hope it does for me. I like to think of it as my relaxing time where the Mach3 was a chore like taking out the trash.

RichZ

That's a common difficult area. If I can find any stubble on my face after shaving, it will be the chin. If I take extra time, I can get it, but sometimes good enough is good enough. Depends on my schedule that morning. I don't go S-N on the chin, just straight down and then across. I can get nearly all of it by pulling the skin up and shaving down and under. After I let the skin retract, what's left will now be down UNDER my chin, and I can crank on that pretty easily. The jawbone behind the skin on the chin and jawline helps keep the skin tight so I can get close. My rule of thumb is this, the less blade touching my face, the lighter the pressure. With the whole length of the blade sharing the weight of the stroke, you are very unlikely to nick yourself. On the other hand, when driving around and under your chin, under the nose, etc, only a small portion of the blade is touching and can nick you very easily. Keep that in mind in the touchy areas and it will help. When I have time, I try and get everything perfect, and I usually have time. My chin has improved steadily and so will yours. .........................Jeff

I have to come in onside of this being a challenge beyond most other areas of my face partly because the whiskers are kinda tough, there's definitely more of them and it's tricky terrain. Sharpest blade IS the answer, but using a cutting angle helps a lot here, and patience too!

I never cleaned up with the disposables though. I figured it robbed me of getting the job done with the straight and I've always gotten great shaves. Plus, I actually heard . . . some guy was CAUSING himself irritation from the Mach III finish. On his chin no less! (true story)

X

Yes the chin is probably the hardest area. I think it took me about two months after I started before I even attempted a N-S pass but what I usually do now is first a N-S pass to the bottom of my chin then an E-W and W-E pass and then another N-S pass from the middle of my chin all the way around the under part of my chin finally a S-N pass on the upper part of my chin only. That seems to do the job. Just remember to have a very sharp razor and keep plenty of lubrication on your chin.