Thread: Chiny, Chin, chin!

Still new to the straight razor here. I just got my razor back from a fellow forum member in Alberta who was kind enough to sharpen it, from hone to strop for me. I had some trouble with WTG, but the next shave played with the angle and got great results for WTG, XTG and ATG. No nicks either. The one exception is my chin. I have been experimenting all over it, however it seems that no matter the angle and direction, the razor still pulls. I'm guessing the chin is a notoriously difficult area to shave, given it is likely the most contoured part of one's face. This is compounded by the fact that it is the thickest facial growth of my face. Anyone have any suggestions/tricks?

What helped me was a preshave oil, and generous lather/wetness..also try to stretch the skin various ways to see if you can flatten angles out.

I'm still no pro mind you! Good luck!

Yea, you guessed it, the chin is the hardest part to shave for me too and also directly under it on the neck. Wish I had some answers but being a beginner also I am still experimenting to find a solution also. At least you are not alone.

Bob

Getting proficient with those difficult areas do take quite a bit of practice

Do make sure your prep is of the best possible sort, even try to overdo it.
Then stretch, stretch, stretch while attacking from all possible sides until you find the combo that does the trick.
Keep the angle of the razor quite flat, it will help you avoid tugging and sore skin.

I think I was at least 4-6 months in before I really found the most comfortable and effective way for those problem areas.

Welcome to SRP!

I second Brinando's post above. The chin area is problematic for most, if not all, when starting out. If you think about it, you are taking a piece of steel to a rounded surface, so the blade is making minimal contact with the area. You'll have to toy with stretching the skin various ways, and making different strokes across.

Enjoy it!

I found the Chin to be a "break out" moment for me at around shave 25+. I could not get the hang of it, had to come back and do the chin with the DE. What worked for me is:
Stay on the prep, you have gotten some good advice re:Proraso.
A flawless edge - a great edge allows you to dial down the pressure - my moment came with a Chas Randall that bought from a member (PeteS) and a Dovo from SRD. It seemed to come together quickly once I started with those razors.

"pre-shave" - for me the hardest part is that 2-4mm under the bottom lip and the corner of the mouth. Solved that problem when I started using a trim razor to shave that area. I found this Noxzema Bikini Shave & Trim (don't knock it 'till you try it) I had been looking at a Merkur as a solution but my experience with Merkur blades (the DE's are great) was so bad that I did not get one. The Noxzema appears to have a Feather blade in it (wire guard, made in Japan). So you get three open comb disposables with a .625" blade for about $0.60 each. BTW, they will nick you if you are reckless. This is a bridge system, once you get the hang of it you may not need it any more. A big part of doing the chin for me was to have confidence in my technique. To get there I had to break the process down in to steps and the trim razor trick was another big help.

Don't try to get it all at once, as long as you mind the angle and the pressure (keep them low) you can go back, it's beard reduction.
I start with the "soul patch" in the center of the chin. I then "crop up" by holding the blade at a low angle (that would be almost up and down for me) and sliding up 1-2mm at a time until I get to that clear band. I then come down in one pass, holding my chin "out" to stretch the skin. Work either side of that patch next. I use the same "cropping up" to thin the the area under the chin.

Like a great Straight Razor shave, getting the chin down and not needing a transfusion just makes my day...
And I can't find the post on skin stretching to link to it, will keep looking and add it.

And you are in the right place to look for help, just about everything great about Str8 shaving for me has come from my "Brothers" in the SRP community.