First shaves mixed results

First of all I would like to thank everyone here :)

I have been shaving with my new straight (this one http://www.billysblades.com/EL.Razors/1754.htm) for a couple days with mixed results.

My first shave was just horrible I missed a bunch of spots and the spots I did get weren't very close no nicks tho.

Second go I spent much more time making sure I got all the spots this time when I tried to shave my chin the razor didn't want to cut the hair :shrug: I even re lathered and did it a couple more times nicking myself in the process. I was left with a nicked hairy chin.

Third time just a while ago I got my cheeks and neck nicely but the razor won't cut the hair on my chin it either goes right over or if I change the angle just digs in.

Is the razor not sharp enough? Could it be my stropping? I'm getting a 4000/8000 grit stone anyway should I give my razor a few passes?

That does sound like a sharpness problem t me. It might be your stropping technique. Are you pulling the skin taunt? It is important to have your skin stretched tight.:shrug:

Good points, Rich. Also, I found that a slight cutting angle of even 5º can help me get through the denser passages a little better. Always shave carefully, especially when trying new techniques.

X

Lashtal,

If you got your cheeks and neck nicely, then the razor
sounds like its sharp. Have you tried shaving the chin
from different angles? RichZ was definately right
about stretching the skin. For me, the chin did prove
to be the hardest. I usually have to go over it 2 or
3 times. Try different angles.

Also if you have a tough beard, you may try re stropping
before doing the chin.


best of luck,

Terry

Thanks for the help guys I just spent 10 mintutes very carefuly stropping my razor and I'm about to go shave with it. If it doesn't shave well now I think I can rule out stropping :hmmm:

:hmmm: Just shaved took my time put a hot towel on my face lathered up left it on for a good 5 minutes wiped it off and lathered again shaved slowly making special attention to angle.

I got a super shave on my cheeks totally awsome :D

Upper lip was also great.

When I got to my chin tho I still couldn't get a close shave It must be technique I tried stretching I didn't really notice a difference I tried to change the angle but still couldn't get it close enough I think I need more practice.

I finished up on my neck with good results.

Sounds like you are getting there. Keep it up.:)

Lather up really well and often for this area. You may want to strop again before you shave your chin
Try a few different shaving directions, with the grain and against it. The with is easy the “against” requires you to be very very careful the first few times. When you go against the grain you must be careful of razor burn at first. (and if you are a snow skier you might relate it to catching an edge if your razor grabs the tough hair in this area, it can make you reach for the styptic) Lather up really well and often for this area. You may want to strop again before you shave your chin.

It just takes practice. keep at it and eventually you'll notice how easy it is.

I just shaved again tried attacking my chin from all directions tried changing the angle still can't get a very close shave. My cheeks are super smooth tho :D

And don't forget how manly you look shaving with a straight ;) It even looks cool just sitting there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lashtal

I just shaved again tried attacking my chin from all directions tried changing the angle still can't get a very close shave.

---

Imagine diving your chin into sections, then shave just that section. By attacking the chin in different sections, you can really focus on stretching the skin tightly for that particular zone. I imagine about 8 different zones for my chin: bottom lip to crease in chin (left, center, right), cheek to chin along bottom jawline (left & right to center), throat to chin (left, center, right). Make sure you are stretching the skin, and do some "facial yoga" to really get it tight. With all of the curvature present with the chin, it is sometimes difficult to maintain proper angle throughout the motion. Pay extra attention to your angle of attack, start with 30 degrees or approximately two spine width's from spine to face. You might also try stropping the razor before going after your chin. If you do, relather before & after stropping to get extra moisture on those tough whiskers.

The last couple days I've been getting a much better shave on my chin by stretching the skin and going from left to right in one slow pass but still not satisfied but getting closer.

It is a matter of trial and error ( as long as its not a big error):D

Yes, I wouldn't like to chop my nose off try and try to tape it back on with duct tape then go to the doctor the next day and end up trying to make up a cool story like someone threw a lawn mower at me while I was saving some elderly people from a fire :D