Thread: Chin Advice

While proceeding with Dovo Shavette this morning, it all went swimmingly until I got to the chin. I had a nice clean shave going, although the blade, a Shark Chrome, may have been a bit dull after four shaves. I tried to go WTG to make some progress across the chin, ran through the little cleft there, and bang!.....straight into the skin for a nice cut.

I'm going do the chin first tomorrow, put in a new blade, stretch the skin, and keep the angle low. If that doesn't work, I'll just finish off with my DE like I had to today.

Originally Posted by IamtheLaw382

Hey Everyone,
I got a Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel, Kingwood, 6/8 for Christmas and am having a few issues with my chin. Before I get started I want to say that I have a few years experience with a Feather AC but it was used in conjunction with a DE so my technique is certainly not flawless.

I'm having a lot of trouble with the chin area right now, that is, I can't really get the razor to cut through the stubble. I can't quite tell if it's the angle (I've adjusted it some with little result), a lubrication issue, stropping, or something else. It also seems to drag some when I go against the grain under my sideburns. The razor was ordered through Classic Shaving's honing service so I wouldn't think that would be an issue.

I'm really enjoying the straight so far and would love to get the chin down so I can shave even more and with less irritation. Please help out a straight razor noob.

Thanks for your help!

EDIT: I just tried the HHT with the razor and it failed miserably but it the Feather with a new blade failed as well. Any thoughts?

The chin and jaw line are my biggest challenges after 9 months of experience with straights.

I have found that some razors handle the chin better than others, and I suspect the honing job is the reason. One razor in particular I bought from one of our fellow members here really shows my chin who's boss.

The jaw line is really challenging and I have attacked it from all angles. I came closer to perfection after re-watching the straight shaving video that is put out here when I saw the presenter moving the skin on his neck off to the side and shaving down.

I think the elusive yet not impossible dream of a comfortable BBS shave helps maintain interest and enjoyment in straight razor shaving.

You received one fine Christmas present in that TI.

Originally Posted by ace

While proceeding with Dovo Shavette this morning, it all went swimmingly until I got to the chin. I had a nice clean shave going, although the blade, a Shark Chrome, may have been a bit dull after four shaves. I tried to go WTG to make some progress across the chin, ran through the little cleft there, and bang!.....straight into the skin for a nice cut.

I'm going do the chin first tomorrow, put in a new blade, stretch the skin, and keep the angle low. If that doesn't work, I'll just finish off with my DE like I had to today.

I've gotten better with the Shavette and think I could master it if I used it on a regular basis, but those razor blades can really be unyielding at times and for that reason I think they're tougher to use than straights. At least to me. I was hoping to use the Shavette for travel only but really can't because I have to stay in practice. When I'm home I want to use regular straights.

Is there any chance that I've screwed up my razor enough with bad stropping that I need to send it to get rehoned or should I be pretty safe?

Originally Posted by IamtheLaw382

Is there any chance that I've screwed up my razor enough with bad stropping that I need to send it to get rehoned or should I be pretty safe?

IMO that would take some work. Unless you have repeatedly lifted the spine putting all of the pressure on the edge, you should be OK.


As for the chin, picture the contours as smaller flat planes, use smaller and more specific strokes and be sure to stretch the skin!