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Been shaving with a straight now for a year and a half. Thoroughly enjoy it. There are two areas that I cannot seem to remove all my whiskers. First is one part of my neck near the jaw line. Second is on the left and right side of my jaw line on my face. Not the end of the world but can't seem to get these smooth enough to my satisfaction. I have tried different stretches, angles, etc. Can't seem to get it. Any recommendations. (Yep I have tried WTG, ATX, and every other TX you can imagine ;).
Sometimes you can get a tougher area by pulling the skin onto an easier area. For jawline, I usually pull the skin up onto my face or down onto my neck.
Also, have you mapped out your face. Sometimes part of the trick is figuring out exactly which way the hair is growing and then planning the best method of attack.
Like you said ... not the end of the world.Quote:
Originally Posted by fletcherfam
Keep after it and it will improve.
Do map your face again... you might learn
something you missed last time.
I have some patches that grow low, almost
horizontal. If I worry them to much I get a rash.
If I shave them close I can still rub them 20
min after shaving and get a scratchy patch.
For me the best shave strokes on these patches
are not WTG or XTG but diagonal to the grain
about 50 degrees from WTG for max comfort
and a good shave.
It also helps me to scrub with a wash cloth
prior to the shave.
I've been doing this ten years now and I still have some areas on my neck that I can't get. I tried everything. I still experiment but with me it's more certain razors with certain configurations that allow me to get into these areas. I don't fret about it at all. I'm still getting a very good shave.
For under the Jaw line, I simply turn the razor around in my hand (rather than the blade extending out the side of hand with the thumb, it now extends out the side of the hand with the little finger), now the scales are up above the jaw line out of the way of the Neck and shave horrizontaly along the line.
I too have had some problem areas. One thing that has helped me is using a small barbers blade to get into the tight spots.
Seems to work well. BTW I just checked in to say I was sitting here working at my home office and I just decided to get up and have a smoke and take a shave. Life is good :)
I agree with you on that one. When I first started straight razor shaving, I would lather and re-lather those areas and work that blade in there yanking my skin every which way to no avail and most of the time nicking myself. I am like thebigspendur, stop fretting about it and still leave the bathroom with a great shave.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I use the same technique that holli4pirating outlined. Usually this means that I stretch my skin up so the normal jawline can be shaved like the lower flat area of my cheek.
I'll give it a good go tomorrow morning. Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill S
For the jawline:
In addition to the aforementioned stretching techniques, I find that 2-XTG passes, in opposite directions, makes my jawline as smooth as silk. In my case, my whiskers on my jaw grow sideways towards my ears. I start by stretching the skin upward and shaving N-S (1st XTG pass), and then another XTG pass going S-N. If I really wanted I could throw an ATG pass, going from ear to chin, for good measure but never have to since it's already smooth.
Try it, you may be surprised.
Fletch, 'Good to hear someone else is still learning at the one year(+) point. The same area for me is a challenge. I can get it, but it takes several touch-up passes from multiple directions. One section has a cow-lick (circular pattern). No single direction of stretch or stroke will get it all. Compound the challenge w/ a somewhat angular and aging skin, and it will make ya work. You'll get it. So will I.
I agree with all the above. The one thing I might add... I still keep a cart handy so I can touch up under my jaw and the ATG strokes on my neck. I hate it, but it does finish off the areas I struggle with the str8 on. I notice it takes less and less of the cart, and depending on which razor I happen to be using this particular day, might not need it at all as a couple of WTG's seems to take care of it..
It seems you aren't alone, and I've heard it takes 'years' to get fully competent.. I"ve got nothing but time to figure it out!! HOpefully before I die anyway, LOL..
Best always!!
M
You will have arrived when you are in a hurry one dayQuote:
Originally Posted by mjhammer
and use your cart to shave then reach for the str8
to tidy up after the cartridge.
Have fun...