New shaving issues after second shave

Ok, after my second shave I encountered the following issues...any ideas???


1. I noticed that going against the grain on my upper lip I seemed to have peeled off little bits of skin, at first it looked like I missed hairs, but its skin. I am thinking that I may have to much of an angle on the blade, but not sure if that is the issue

2. When shaving against the grain right directly under, on, and directly above my jaw line, the blade tends to skip over patches of skin, like a rock skipping on the water. I am trying to stretch the skin as tightly as possible, but it doesnt seem to be helping

3. I cannot find a good way to reach the area of my neck below my chin going cross grain!

4. I noticed that today my chin area was very irritated, Im not sure if it was using the new TI razor (sharpened by Lynn), or if it was just to soon to shave again against the grain, although I did wait two days, but my beard does not grow fast at all.


I did notice that my first shave was much more comfortable, and the only differences:
First Shave:
Cattaraugus(honed by Lynn)
AOS Shaving Oil
Classic Shaving soap
AOS After shave

Second Shave:

TI Evide (first time using this razor, it was also honed by Lynn)
AOS Shaving Oil
GFT Coconut oil shaving creme sample
AOS After shave (ran out of aftershave so didnt use much)

On the second shave I took a long hot shower (which I didnt do on the first shave since I was so excited to use the razor), but because my beard was so thin and so short from just shaving two days before (and I was in a rush), I started shaving cross grain instead of with the grain. This was never a problem for me with the DE if my growth was minimal, would that change with a straight?



Any help would be GREAT! I am hoping the difference isnt with the razors, because I will only be travelling with the TI, which means I will use it about 60 - 70% of the time.

JL,

1 - It could have been the angle, I have a mustache so no
experience shaving there.

3 - If you are talking about getting the razor in the right position
to shave cross grain here is what I do. I extend the outward,
so it's like an open knife. I remember another forum member,
I believe AFDavis said he did this.

4 - Is there anyway that the angle could have not been right
or that you used a little too much pressure?

As far as the prep goes I'm sure that it probably wasn't an issue.
It's interesting though that the shave before the shower was
better than the one afterward. I get just a good of a shave from
just washing my face.

Wish I could have offered more.

Good Luck,


Terry

1. Get a very good pass down and across in both directions and you'll minimise that. I also go extra gently to avoid just the problem you express and go at a very acute angle, almost flat against my lip.

2. Try using a slight cutting angle (carefully of course). That's leading with the tip slightly 5º-30º. there should be less catching up that way.

3. Thats a tough spot for me too. I reach over my head and stretch that way while turning the razor so that the tip aims at my throat and the heel sticks out from my chin. I also turn the scales in to 45º and go at my adam's apple a little closer that way.

4. It's still early days and your skin will need to adjust. You may have been applying some pressure. There really is no pressure needed with a sharp razor. It cold also be less efficient prep, but it sounds like you had that covered.

X

Well, I did tell you not to shave against the grain . . . so its skin. You've probably noticed there isn't any safety bar on a straight, with the grain it goes as deep as you push it. Against the grain it catches on hair and goes deeper than it should. Thus, skin gone, beard too though huh? LOL...

Its the razors, there different. Just keep practicing. Stropping more should smooth it out. Practice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLStorm

1. I noticed that going against the grain on my upper lip I seemed to have peeled off little bits of skin,


*** don't go against the grain, too soon. ***

2. When shaving against the grain right directly under, on, and directly above my jaw line, the blade tends to skip over patches of skin, like a rock skipping on the water.

*** don't go against the grain, too soon. ***

3. I cannot find a good way to reach the area of my neck below my chin going cross grain!

*** don't go cross grain, too soon. ***


4. I noticed that today my chin area was very irritated, Im not sure if it was using the new TI razor (sharpened by Lynn), or if it was just to soon to shave again against the grain,

*** don't go against the grain, too soon. ***

---

Let you face heal. I still don't go against the grain after 10 weeks or so. But everyone's face is different . . . I would say to give it a couple of weeks at least. That way you can "hone" your technique.

Emil

Lynn called me tonight, he said he thinks it might be the blade since I didnt have any of these problems with the other razor. I am going to ship it back to him so that he can take a look.

Its important to have your own tools at home for blade tweeking issues like this. In the beginning most occur from the strop it self. Any overly aggressive angle shaving can even tear off the edge. I would suggest a fine barber hone or a paddle strop. It can also just be variances in the blade. I often prefer the softer steels, even if my stainless ones are honed perfectly. Sending the blade off to Lynn on occasion can be complemented with "homework". Or as the 12 year old in the house says "Your doing you honework".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Its important to have your own tools at home for blade tweeking issues like this. In the beginning most occur from the strop it self. Any overly aggressive angle shaving can even tear off the edge. I would suggest a fine barber hone or a paddle strop. It can also just be variances in the blade. I often prefer the softer steels, even if my stainless ones are honed perfectly. Sending the blade off to Lynn on occasion can be complemented with "homework". Or as the 12 year old in the house says "Your doing you honework".

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I know, I am going to have to get the honing equipment, I just spent so much on the razor and accessories that I cant afford to shell out that kind of cash right now. Besides if Lynn had trouble honing it, I doubt I could do muc with it at this point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLStorm

Ok, after my second shave I encountered the following issues...any ideas???


1. I noticed that going against the grain on my upper lip I seemed to have peeled off little bits of skin, at first it looked like I missed hairs, but its skin. I am thinking that I may have to much of an angle on the blade, but not sure if that is the issue

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JL I had the same problem. I have found, as other have stated, that to prevent the abrasion to my upper lip to do the following:

1. Normal shave of the upper lip.

2. Shave against the grain of the upper lip, but with the razor almost flat against the skin. In addition, I have to take slowing smaller swipes being careful not to "grab" the skin.

Good Luck,
Mark.

JL, don't worry, it will all be fine after some 200-300 shaves. Serious.

Just don't worry about going across and against the grain, and the result will come. After some time (couple of months or so) you can start experimenting with tweaking your technique.

have fun,
Nenad

It will all come in time. It is a matter of patience and experience

JL it will take you a while to find the technique that works for your skin/hair combination. I found that I enjoy my shaves more when I give my face a days rest. The hair is a bit longer and the skin not as sensitive. Every day shaves make leave my skin more irritated.

Thankfully with a straight I can skip a day and look like I have an early six o'clock shadow. Only my daughter complains that it is not smooth. She is five and prefers baby butt smooth skin on my face.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vladsch

Thankfully with a straight I can skip a day and look like I have an early six o'clock shadow. Only my daughter complains that it is not smooth. She is five and prefers baby butt smooth skin on my face.

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That must be an adorable moment. Is English her first language? I'm just wondering what turn of phrase she uses to complain. If it were me, I'd be shaving daily just to keep her closer. lol ... You're a lucky man, Vlad.

X

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vladsch

Thankfully with a straight I can skip a day and look like I have an early six o'clock shadow. Only my daughter complains that it is not smooth. She is five and prefers baby butt smooth skin on my face.

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Vlad,

I have a six year old daughter who feels the same way with me. I basically shave every day with a str8 even though some days I could go without. When I skip a day to get 2 days between a shave she complains she doesn't like it. In addition she rates my shaves. She tells me if I haven't done a stellar job shaving that day. :D Wow women even at that age..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichZ

Vlad,

I have a six year old daughter who feels the same way with me. I basically shave every day with a str8 even though some days I could go without. When I skip a day to get 2 days between a shave she complains she doesn't like it. In addition she rates my shaves. She tells me if I haven't done a stellar job shaving that day. :D Wow women even at that age..

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Rich,
It must be genetic, my seven-year-old daughter does exactly the same thing. I typically get two ratings each morning (thumbs up or thumbs down), the first rates my shave, the second my cologne.
Ed

hmm...all I have is a fiance and two kittens...all of them look at me like I am nuts no matter how well I shave...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ForestryProf

Rich,
It must be genetic, my seven-year-old daughter does exactly the same thing. I typically get two ratings each morning (thumbs up or thumbs down), the first rates my shave, the second my cologne.
Ed

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Ed you are right it must be genetic. She also has a distinct preference about my after shave. My son on the other hand could care less. Men are from Mars Women are from Venus, must be true.