Thread: Newbie issues

Back to subject, I have been experimenting a bit and have found things that work quite a bit better. My neck has been difficult as well but mostly because there are so many contours to learn. Been trying out the whole 'scythe' thing (I think that's what its called... shaving with a slight arc in my stroke instead of straight) and at a slight angle (not quite AGT, but not completely WTG either). VASTLY improved results. Now I only have to touch up back by my ears under my jaw (that little cranny is still tricky) and just teensy bits around the chin.

Little by little I'm getting better.

I still have some amount of trouble with my neck, the hair there grows in seemingly random directions all over. I'm 7 months in to this now and still experimenting with stretching. Good on you for working it out.

Originally Posted by enderwiggen

So I've been using my straight for a week now and have learned a lot. I only get nicks or abrasions from either lack of attention, too much pressure on the blade, or multiple passes. Multiple passes with a safety were my old habit and I guess old habits die hard. But either way I'm getting better, and getting a closer shave every time. Anyway, I'm having chin issues. I cut myself twice today in the process so I'm hoping that someone here has advice.

I'm a pretty slender guy, with a bit of a thin face. My chin isn't a cleft chin, but it definitely has a depression in the middle. I just can't seem to navigate this thing! Either I skip it and do it with my safety or I make the attempt and either abrade part of it or nick my lower lip area. I've attached a picture to see if anyone has any advice on a plan of attack.

Thankyou!

Attachment 101633

It sounds like you're on track to pick this up faster than I did. The problem I had as a beginner was thinking so much about technique that I distracted myself and made mistakes. Over time you won't have to think so much and you will be able to just relax and let your fingers and the razor do the work. During my learning experience I found that I was able to reach places on my face with the razor that I couldn't reach at an earlier stage.

The suggestions about stretching the skin and not applying too much pressure with the razor are very good ones.

You're on your way.

Yeah, I also do a bit of scything ATG on the neck only. Also, in regards to ATG, make sure it IS really ATG. I find if I come directly ATG on EACH hair on my neck I can get really smooth there. The trick is to work out the way the hair grows and go directly ATG on it. When I started I was really just doing N to S and S to N; thinking S to N was ATG for me, but it isn't really at all...

I've spent a good bit of time thinking about technique but in the sense that shaving is really... very simple. I try not to over-think it. As I shave I just try to keep in mind a few different principles: 1. take your time, it's not a race. 2. keep low angles (for a while I flattened out too close to 90 degrees... ouch) 3. small, short strokes and use one sweeping one to finish the section to make sure it's tidy. 4. Very little pressure is needed.

Aside from that I just keep the mindset that I'm new and that if it doesn't go so well today... tomorrow is a new day and I have a DE/safety to clean up any rough patches and a styptic pencil to fix any mistakes. I just try to mimic what a DE safety does naturally. The angles are built in, and the head pivots with the contour of your face (so naturally your angle of attack must change as you change facial contours).

I'm only about 2 weeks in and I think I'm making great progress every day.

It's great to make progress, it's also great that there's no end to improvement. One just keeps getting better and better...