Thread: trouble spots since using a str8

Hi, everyone.

I have been shaving with a straight razor for almost a year now. I also use a DE occasionally or to do touch ups.

Since I have started I have developed areas just under the jaw line on both sides of my face that just won't shave smooth. The areas are narrow starting around the middle of the jaw and running sideways then on a diagonal towards the center of my neck.

I have tried all kinds of strokes including buffing with the stra8 as well as a Merkur slant bar. Nothing seems to work. The grain runs towards the end of my jaw.

It's really frustrating because I was getting better shaves before than I am now. All my razors are sharp, no problem with two pass shaving.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Charlie

Originally Posted by cskumin

Hi, everyone.

I have been shaving with a straight razor for almost a year now. I also use a DE occasionally or to do touch ups.

Since I have started I have developed areas just under the jaw line on both sides of my face that just won't shave smooth. The areas are narrow starting around the middle of the jaw and running sideways then on a diagonal towards the center of my neck.

I have tried all kinds of strokes including buffing with the stra8 as well as a Merkur slant bar. Nothing seems to work. The grain runs towards the end of my jaw.

It's really frustrating because I was getting better shaves before than I am now. All my razors are sharp, no problem with two pass shaving.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Charlie

I have similar growth on one side of my face. Here's how I tackle it. Do a WTG or XTG pass to mow down most of the stubble. Then on your next pass, pull the skin over your jawline for an easier access ATG pass. For any areas that can't be pulled over the jaw line, I shave a small patch of skin below the adams apple, hold the razor in the opposite hand (left for right, right for left), pull the skin from the shaved patch in the opposite direction (right for left, left for right) and shave ATG downward toward where my hand is pulling the skin. I switch hands because in order to achieve this angle of attack, you need to use your opposite hand. I hope you can use this method. Good luck.

Thanks, OCD.

I tried your method this morning and my shave was definitely an improvement. Not perfect yet but that will come with practice.

Charlie

Originally Posted by cskumin

Thanks, OCD.

I tried your method this morning and my shave was definitely an improvement. Not perfect yet but that will come with practice.

Charlie

Fantastic. You'll figure out how to tweak it from here on out.

Don't know if you've tried this yet, but use an alum block on your hands to make them really tacky. This will enable you to stretch problem areas to a easier spot to shave. You can even put it on your face on the area your going to place your fingers to do the stretching. I always start my shaves by rubbing alum on my hands. Good luck.

REALLY spend time trying to figure out the grain direction of your beard. I used to think that I would go down for a WTG pass and up for a ATG pass but there were these spots near my adams apple where I would always get nicked and raw. Then, I figured out that the direction of my hairs actually switch in that little 2" area. So when I go WTG I have to switch up the direction now.

I suggest this because you mention that your results are similar whether you use your straight or DE. I had the same experience.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

Don't know if you've tried this yet, but use an alum block on your hands to make them really tacky. This will enable you to stretch problem areas to a easier spot to shave. You can even put it on your face on the area your going to place your fingers to do the stretching. I always start my shaves by rubbing alum on my hands. Good luck.

I gotta try that. That shave soap hardly allows me to get a good grip to stretch my skin.