Having a problem.

**ubet** · 09-09-2011, 10:19 PM

I have only been at this 2 or 3 weeks. I just cant seem to get the area under my jaw on my right side shaved, my chin, and at the poing of my jaw bone on my left side. The grain is left to right to the chin, then down, then starts left to right at the right jaw again. How the hell do you guys shave under there? I have tried up and down strokes, tried shaving parallel to the contour of my jaw last night (thats NOT easy). But I cant get it smooth. I also have problems with the chin, and am starting to think its just not meant to be shaved.

On shaving the chin the only luck I have had is with the blade LIGHTLY at a 90degree angle to my face and short downward strokes. Can you guys give me any pointers on all this?

Thanks
Ubet

**thebigspendur** · 09-09-2011, 10:40 PM

Of course everyone is different and the chin and jaw area are a more difficult area. I shave my chin with straight downward-short stroke and keep the skin as taught as possible. For under my chin I go straight down and around which is not a maneuver for a rookie. For my jaw I go against the grain S-N from my neck up to the mid point of my jaw and also go from my ear to my mouth straight along my jaw and also go N-S down the side of my face and around the jaw. That's what works for me.

**ace** · 09-10-2011, 01:14 AM

I've made an attempt to eliminate the chin as a problem area by eliminating it as an area altogether. I do this by shaving it with passes originating in other areas. I shave over the chin with WTG strokes originating from the lower lip downward over the chin. I shave across it with strokes XTG starting at the sides of the jaw, and I shave ATG over it with strokes starting at the bottom of the neck. As I do this, I maintain very light pressure and raise the spine slightly as I proceed over the chin. This is a VERY delicate move, especially for people new to straight shaving and should only be used with caution and with some experience. Here is a video of someone using this technique. It's not me. I'm not that good looking.

Cut-throat Razor shave - YouTube

**CaliforniaCajun** · 09-10-2011, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by ubet

I have only been at this 2 or 3 weeks. I just cant seem to get the area under my jaw on my right side shaved, my chin, and at the poing of my jaw bone on my left side. The grain is left to right to the chin, then down, then starts left to right at the right jaw again. How the hell do you guys shave under there? I have tried up and down strokes, tried shaving parallel to the contour of my jaw last night (thats NOT easy). But I cant get it smooth. I also have problems with the chin, and am starting to think its just not meant to be shaved.

On shaving the chin the only luck I have had is with the blade LIGHTLY at a 90degree angle to my face and short downward strokes. Can you guys give me any pointers on all this?

Thanks
Ubet

Join the club.

I have been working on this 18 months.

I remember studying YouTube videos until I could imitate every movement and still not get the results.

This is the answer, one I wouldn't have believed when I started. As you gain experience you become more agile in your handling of the razor. The other key is stretching your skin to give your razor the flattest surface possible to shave.

My experience has shown me that I can be taught how to use the razor, but what works for my face alone is achieved through practice. One day you'll pick up the razor and reach an area you could not before or successfully shave an area you could never quite get to your satisfaction.

Using a straight razor is like playing football without a facebar on your helmet or riding a two-wheel bicycle without training wheels. Using a DE razor is easier because it helps you stretch your skin and shave at the right angle. The blade comes pre-sharpened and when it gets dull you toss it and get another one.

With a straight you're on your own. That's the challenge and for me, the lure of straight razor shaving.

I'll give you a pointer. Use a DE razor and notice where it goes to successfully shave the areas that elude you when you use a straight. Then shave that same way with a straight, stretching your skin and shaving at an angle that gets the whiskers off.

I'm still learning, and hope sharing the pointers I largely taught myself through experience will help.

Maybe the biggest lesson I've learned is to enjoy the ride. I don't get discouraged any more because this has become an enjoyable pursuit.

**fragalot** · 09-10-2011, 05:57 AM

Ofcourse another, yet far less satisfying, option is to grow a goatee

**ubet** · 09-12-2011, 04:48 PM

Ok, well I shaved this morning and got it bbs. I added a little burts bees body wash to my soap, and that helped. The chin went easy today. Under the jaw, I did a wtg, then atg, and a spot wouldnt get shaved, so I washed my face, and it got super slick. So I had the shank at a nw under my jaw, tip at se, started a straight pass, then brought the spike in a rounding motion, with it ending up in the west and the shank in the east, I pretty just much pivoted the shank, and it came bbs. I was a little nervous about doing it, but I had enough of that spot not getting shaved, and figured if I was gonna bleed myself out at least that damned spot would be smooth, and I was lucky, no cuts, nicks or anything its just one spot I had to use that stroke.

**Ryan82** · 09-13-2011, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by ubet

Ok, well I shaved this morning and got it bbs. I added a little burts bees body wash to my soap, and that helped. The chin went easy today. Under the jaw, I did a wtg, then atg, and a spot wouldnt get shaved, so I washed my face, and it got super slick. So I had the shank at a nw under my jaw, tip at se, started a straight pass, then brought the spike in a rounding motion, with it ending up in the west and the shank in the east, I pretty just much pivoted the shank, and it came bbs. I was a little nervous about doing it, but I had enough of that spot not getting shaved, and figured if I was gonna bleed myself out at least that damned spot would be smooth, and I was lucky, no cuts, nicks or anything its just one spot I had to use that stroke.

Ultimately, that's what this sport is all about; experimentation and finding what works for YOU. In the beginning you may end up using all sorts of complicated techniques and procedures, but eventually with experience you'll be able to par it down to a simple process.

Congrats on your success!

**paco664** · 09-13-2011, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by ubet

Ok, well I shaved this morning and got it bbs. I added a little burts bees body wash to my soap, and that helped. The chin went easy today. Under the jaw, I did a wtg, then atg, and a spot wouldnt get shaved, so I washed my face, and it got super slick. So I had the shank at a nw under my jaw, tip at se, started a straight pass, then brought the spike in a rounding motion, with it ending up in the west and the shank in the east, I pretty just much pivoted the shank, and it came bbs. I was a little nervous about doing it, but I had enough of that spot not getting shaved, and figured if I was gonna bleed myself out at least that damned spot would be smooth, and I was lucky, no cuts, nicks or anything its just one spot I had to use that stroke.

i don't even know what you said there man....

.....lol.... but congrats

**Ryan82** · 09-13-2011, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by paco664

i don't even know what you said there man....but congrats

lol - I'm not sure I do either, but hey, it seems to be working out for him....

**AFDavis11** · 09-13-2011, 01:47 AM

I got it, geospatial references and all. be careful with the spinn'r top stuff. 90% of the problems with chins originate with sub-par honing and end with mediocre stropping. The chin is no place for a straight perriotte.

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