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Hey guys,
I am new to straight shaving (two shaves under my belt!), and was wondering if anyone has any tips for making sure your sideburns are even? I find it can be a little tricky to see exactly where the blade is hitting, since my hands and the blade itself always seem to be in the way>
Thanks in advance!
Biodoc100
That's an easy one - grow them longer then you'll be able to see the line! lol
(I wear sideburns and my avatar is Neil Young, what can I say? ;))
Seriously though, with short sideburns there is no real trick. After shaving with a straight for awhile you get an intuitive feeling for where the blade is even if you can't see it. So until that time comes you pretty much have to guess. Other than that you can try cutting them ATG, which should give you some visibility.
In a SORT of related way, I have the same SORT of issue with my goatee. I use my R hand for the R side of my face and my L hand for my L side. My hand is in the way when I shave towards my goatee, and I need to guess a bit; and then use the heel of the razor to shave around it. However, the other say I used my R hand on the L side and was able to see the goatee. I don't have long sideburns, but just did a bit of an experiment in the mirror and I reckon if you swap hands for the sideburn bit (i.e. hold the razor in the L hand, scales down to shave the bottom edge of your R sideburn) you should be able to see it. Make sure the angle's right, though, as at that angle you COULD did in a bit...
Thanks guys! I tried the ATG this morning, and I had good luck, without going Van Gogh on my ear, haha. I will try the opposite/hand scales down next time.
I had the same issue till I started lining up my sideburns with the tang side of the blade pointed towards my ear; both hands on the razor, WTG. Give it a shot.
Hmm...I like the sound of that technique. I will definitely be trying that soon!
I use sideburns too. As a reference, I use the ear tragus, that's the scientific name for that little part.
Then, after I wash off the remaining leather, I look at both sides and trim if I think it's needed.
Are you able to see your ear in the mirror?
I think I can see my ears (it was pretty early when I got up this morning, so who knows!)...That is how I would do it when I was using my Gilette fusion (well, I am still touching up areas with it, but I am having to touch up less and less!
I don't worry too much about them until my next trip to the barber - he evens them out for me.
In the old days barbers used the position of their thumbs in relation to the razor and sideburns when using a straight to trim sideburns. Don't ask me how but I remember that's how they did it.