Thread: Is it just me???

I have been STR8 shaving now for about 7 months. I know my technique stropping/shaving has improved quite a bit no question about that. What I have noticed is; I get a better shave the longer I let my beard grow. After 3 to 4 days growth I can get an outstanding BBS shave. If I have 2 days or less growth I can not get it BBS to save my life. Am I the only one this happens to? Am I doing something wrong? Is it the size/grind/steel of my razor? Is this just the nature of my face/beard?

I still only have one shave ready razor 5/8 J.A. Henckel #451. Gary sent me a nice 5/8 Bengal spike, but I have not had the chance to get it honed yet. My in-laws are also holding a razor Joe Chandler sent to me for Christmas. I am hoping once I try some different razors I will find the one that fits my face just right.

It's not just you. I feel the results are better/smoother with 3-4 days growth as well. I'm not entirely sure, but maybe it's that my prep is better since I know I'll be whacking down some trees.

I also agree. My shave after skipping a day is closer and smoother than when I shave every day.

It ain't just you. I've noticed the same thing.



Terry

That's the way it is I am afraid. No matter what way you shave.

Me too. I think it might have something to do with the skin depilation as well, but your guess is as good as mine on that. More than the closeness of the shave, because I can still get very close with two days growth, I notice how gooood a straight shave feels after three or four days growing.

X

My God man, why don't you send the 5/8 Bengal Spike to me? One shave ready razor is like a car with 3 wheels...

It costs like a $1.50 to mail a razor, I'll even pay the return shipping your way....you can always pay for a honemiester when the kid gets out of college!

Did your wife have her Straight newbie yet?

I think that different individual hairs grow at different rates, so that after a day off, all the hairs have grown out sufficiently to allow them all to be shaved close.

I think that when you shave daily, the slower growing, and therefore, shorter hairs aren't cut as closely and grow out ahead of the faster/longer ones which were cut shorter.

I want to echo tombuesing's theory. I've heard that hair elsewhere on the body has different "growth cycles," so it makes sense that maybe some hairs on the face grow slower than others.

This theory assumes that it's easier to cut longer hairs closer to the skin, which I can't quite wrap my brain around. But it seems to work consistently for a lot of people, including me.

Josh

I think the longer the hair (to a point) the more there is for the razor to work with. At least that sounds like a good theory. I notice the same thing. 2 or 3 days growth and I get a fantastic shave with the least effort.