Thread: Technique, technique, technique

Well, I just tried this...

I even tried just dry shaving first. That did not work so well.
So then I used water with no shave prep. WTG was spotty. ATG removed hair nicely on the cheek but was a little uncomforable. Then I went to the neck. I did a small area but it was too uncomfortable to continue.
I then shampooed and conditioned my beard. I have never used conditioner before. As a head shaver I've never had it around. The other day on a whim I got a bottle to see if it would make a difference in my shaves. Anyhow... Post shampoo and conditioner I tried using just water again. The neck was uncomfortable but not nearly as bad as before. Shaving the cheek that I didn't shave before the shampoo and conditioner was great.
I ended up making some lather to finish my neck and to do my head.

I think I could shave with water only if I really had to.
Fortunately I don't really have to.

You know Eric. my beard is on the tough side of middle of the road or one could say on the wimpy side of tough...your choice. Anyways I often dry shave a patch on my cheek when testing for sharpness of a razor. When the blade is sharp enough it will go through the hair with no resistance and no irritation but the rest of my face would throw fits if I tried dry shaving.

Your blade may not be sharp enough. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I find that with water only allows for the razor to have far greater "catchyness". It grabs and cuts the whiskers far easier and at far more diverse angles. There is no slip and no resulting need for extra passes.

Absolutely! Thank you for expressing that so clearly.

I've been shaving for about 2 months now. I do an extended beard prep and 3 passes to get BBS. I feel I have my basic technique down, but what would you suggest be done to really refine my technique?

Originally Posted by markevens

I've been shaving for about 2 months now... what would you suggest be done to really refine my technique?

Continue shaving for at least 10 years. Seriously, there's no way around it I think. It's like learning an instrument. I learned the basic techniques within the first months of playing upright bass but my touch grows more effortless and my sound will continue to improve throughout my lifetime, and none too soon.
I've resigned myself to counting the plateaus I reach and celebrating each time I move up to the next one.

Originally Posted by bassguy

Continue shaving for at least 10 years.

Something about that is very beautiful. That's going as my signature.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I'm gonna do my next shave a'la JMS and post about it. My skin is so sensitive I actually couldn't shave with a Mach3 without getting irritation, and I can't shave ATG without getting irritation.

Then we shall see who is Mr Exception and what is The Rule! (:-))

I just finished my JMS shave. I was testing out three razors, a Joseph Elliot, a Joseph Rodgers, and a J Wostenholm; so all Sheffield and all heavy grinds. They were freshly finished off my Thurry - so there I deviated; they were not "used razors." And I was only shaving off about 5 days of growth.

As JMS did, I took a shower and did my normal face washing (CarrieM's bath soap), got out, and shaved. I kept a bowl of hot water on the sink, and frequently rewet my face. One razor on the right, one razor on the left, one for the middle (including chin and top lip).

I have to say, the shave went much better than I'd thought it would. The blade didn't glide over my face like it would with lather, but it didn't really drag either. Also, knowing I didn't have an extra buffer between the blade and my face made me even more careful of my angles and touch. After the shave, I rinsed with warm water and threw on some Lucido splash. Despite it having alcohol in addition to menthol, I felt only coolness - no burning at all. Now that I'm "done" and had a chance to feel my post shave face, the shave was definitely as close as a normal shave. I'll post a followup in case I get next day irritation, but I honestly don't think I will.

I can only assume Mark's technique and his shave are better, given that he's been shaving with a straight about 6 times longer than I have (and twice as long as I've had hair on my face!), but I'd say I had a good shave too.

Like with anything else, don't knock it till you try it. Even if you think it'll be a bad shave, try ONE CAREFUL pass on your cheek and see what happens. You may be surprised.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I have to say, the shave went much better than I'd thought it would. The blade didn't glide over my face like it would with lather, but it didn't really drag either. Also, knowing I didn't have an extra buffer between the blade and my face made me even more careful of my angles and touch.

This is exactly the experience that I had a few days (who knows, maybe weeks) back when I tried shaving with water only... It didn't glide or drag, and I had the ominous feeling that if I wasn't careful about my angles and pressure I'd get a nasty bite.

Just to add to what you said Dylan, I didn't feel andy 2nd day burn

I believe Ryan has a crucial point in referring to skin type. In particular it would be the skin surface characteristics. I would have to search for any clues on this (maybe it has been dealt with before) but it would be interesting to know if individuals with a dry skin type have more difficulty than those with a smooth, oily skin type. I would imagine the dry skin individuals have a much coarser, uneven skin surface on which a razor would tend to catch.

I recently went back to shaving in the morning before work, which means no shower. The only prep is just washing my face quickly.

By slowing down just a tad and paying more attention. I can get bbs with 1 wtg using scything strokes and an atg/touch up pass and minimal prep.