Thread: What's your hardest area for you to shave? (of your face)

Originally Posted by Shangas

My hardest area is my right undercheek/jawbone area. It's a kind of hit and miss area. Sometimes I'll do one good stroke and whip it all away in one, other times, all the blade-buffing and scraping in the world doesn't get the stubble to budge. I've found it's generally an indication of the sharpness of my razor, so the moment I can't make this stroke, I know it's time to hone.

this one is tough for me too and it seems like a tricky spot for others as well- mainly b/c i don't like to shave the right side under-jawbone area with my left hand since its too shaky (i can get the corresponding left area with my right hand on the atg pass. ) For the right side underjaw atg pass, i use an unusual grip with my right hand. the razor is open to about 280 degrees. with the edge pointing up i put my thumb on the side of the tang and my index and middle on the other side of the tang. the ring and pinky is under the monkey tail down to between the 2nd and 3rd knuckle of the ring finger- locking the blade in my hand. then shave up on the right underjaw with your right hand with the heel closer to the chin and the toe pointing to the ear. i kind of curl the razor up to keep the edge angle pretty small. hope this helps

I agree with under the jaw bone being tough. Although my problem isn't getting that area smooth, it's the irritation and multiple weepers I've been causing with my ATG pass that is the issue. I think I may try two XTG passes from opposite directions (n/s and s/n) because under my jawline the hair grows from the middle towards the ear on both sides.

Well gentlemen, I proved my hypothesis, that if I can't shave my jaw-area, it's because my razor's dull.

I sharpened up my straight-razor, stropped it to within an inch of its life and with hot lather, went to town on my face.

Two good strokes and I got my right under-jaw area nice and smooth.

Originally Posted by Shangas

Well gentlemen, I proved my hypothesis, that if I can't shave my jaw-area, it's because my razor's dull.
I sharpened up my straight-razor, stropped it to within an inch of its life and with hot lather, went to town on my face.
Two good strokes and I got my right under-jaw area nice and smooth.

Yes, a proper shave ready blade will certainly help in this area (or any area for that matter ), but don't forget that proper technique is just as important. You'd be surprised what a good scything stroke will do for you, even if that blade isn't exactly scalpel sharp.

what exactly do you mean by scything. -is it moving the edge forward -point first- slightly off the perpendicular line or is it something else? ps is that you in your avatar or a young neil young?

Originally Posted by 8man

what exactly do you mean by scything. -is it moving the edge forward -point first- slightly off the perpendicular line or is it something else? ps is that you in your avatar or a young neil young?

lol - The actual definition of what constitutes a scything stroke is still debated - to avoid rehashing it, I'd suggest looking it up in the wiki or doing a search for related threads.

PS - Yes, that is indeed Neil Young in my avatar. It`s from the cover of his 1978 album Comes a Time.

Originally Posted by gomatty

Other than that, just to the right of my adams apple. For some reason the hair grows in different directions and the concave topography of the area make it a little difficult. :/

Totally have the same problem. It looks like an aerial view of a hurricane when it's grown out, making the right side of my neck the toughest part to shave by far.

hollow on the base of neck like the OP and ATG on the edge of my chin, but i genuinely believe that the chin is a grind issue as i have an easier time with my quarter hoillow than my full hollow

Just below my jawline on the right side of my neck. The hairs grow almost sideways and I need some creative attack and a good smiling blade to get the best result.

Originally Posted by ace

My ear lobes. I don't shave them very often, and when I do it is unintentional and very ugly.

But for me, it's the chin, hands down, thanks to a serious cleft combined with whiskers that grow due south. Approaching my chin as a series of very small, flat planes helps, but the stroke that would really work best for the cleft--ATG--is very difficult. It's tough to get the skin there stretched so that it's flat across. I usually manage to get it done, but it takes more time than any other area on my face.