Thread: Tips from Barber on Sensitive Skin

For the oil in the presave, try glycerine oe vitamine e oil....both are inexpensive.

I started using slicing strokes which has resulted in an excellent 2 pass shave. With bbs on the face without going directly ATG. I can get it on the jawline and about 2 inches under. The lower neck gets the regular straight on shave. What I have found is with slicing strokes, the blade cuts thru without resistance and without pulling up the skin which IMO is why I got irritation before.

Please photos.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

So ...... if you are into experimentation, try the cold water shave.

Prep is lather (cold) and rub it into your whiskers vigorously. Relather and shave. For me it has been a better shave and no irritation. YMMV.

I tried this the other day after reading your thread on it. I put water in my scuttle and froze it over night. I done my normal shave prep with hot towel and oil. Then I used lukewarm water on my brush, to make my later. The cold scuttle took a little longer to make later, but once it did the later seemed to hold better. The feeling of the lather was odd, but the shave did feel refreshing. I have to believe that this method gave me the smoothest shave on just one pass. Unless something changes over the next few days I am giong to keep on doing this.

Originally Posted by bill3152

I started using slicing strokes which has resulted in an excellent 2 pass shave. With bbs on the face without going directly ATG. I can get it on the jawline and about 2 inches under. The lower neck gets the regular straight on shave. What I have found is with slicing strokes, the blade cuts thru without resistance and without pulling up the skin which IMO is why I got irritation before.

I tried the slicing method once and got quite a few nicks. Any tips on how to do this without butchering my face?

Yah, ive had some great success with slicing method..
Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

My neck (under my chin) seems to be the hardest spot to get a close shave... but with some skin stretching and slicing am able to do it easily. Just takes time and light pressure.

Originally Posted by Merc

I tried this the other day after reading your thread on it. I put water in my scuttle and froze it over night. I done my normal shave prep with hot towel and oil. Then I used lukewarm water on my brush, to make my later. The cold scuttle took a little longer to make later, but once it did the later seemed to hold better. The feeling of the lather was odd, but the shave did feel refreshing. I have to believe that this method gave me the smoothest shave on just one pass. Unless something changes over the next few days I am giong to keep on doing this.

If you eliminate the freezing, eliminate the lukewarm to make lather, it might be better. Maybe it wouldn't, but the premise given in the 1906 book is that the whiskers are more apt to be cut when there is no heat involved. As far as making lather, I found that, in my case, room temp tap water did just as well as hot water. I just make sure to leave a bit of water on top of the puck for a few minutes, pour a portion of that into the lather bowl, and then load the brush. I've run water onto the bristles, under the tap, until I feel the weight of the brush become heavier. Then shake it out a bit and load. Lather in the bowl and add a bit of water if necessary.

Originally Posted by Merc

I tried the slicing method once and got quite a few nicks. Any tips on how to do this without butchering my face?

The angle of attack has to leave the edge skimming over the skin, not digging in at all. Skin stretched taut, not drum tight, and only practice on areas that are easily done. As you gain proficiency go into the more difficult areas. Requires a low to no pressure light touch for good results.

Originally Posted by Merc

I tried this the other day after reading your thread on it. I put water in my scuttle and froze it over night. I done my normal shave prep with hot towel and oil. Then I used lukewarm water on my brush, to make my later. The cold scuttle took a little longer to make later, but once it did the later seemed to hold better. The feeling of the lather was odd, but the shave did feel refreshing. I have to believe that this method gave me the smoothest shave on just one pass. Unless something changes over the next few days I am giong to keep on doing this.



I tried the slicing method once and got quite a few nicks. Any tips on how to do this without butchering my face?

A down stroke on the face heel leading at almost 45 degree angle to the stroke. On the mustache I go up and slightly to the left or right. The jawline I do sideways with the blade at an angle. You need to use little or no pressure and be really careful you don't cut yourself. My strokes on the jawline and mustache are like 1/2 inch at a time. I believe an attempt to make a longer stroke will result in getting cut.(At least for me anyway). I am hoping I will master this method as the ATG on the mustache comes right off with no pulling and 1 pass it is done. I don't think this would work on my lower neck and so far I haven't attempted it.

Shaved tonight and used a lower angle heel leading. Like 30 degrees. Much better as no nicks. I'm liking this. Right lower neck needs straight cut to get smooth.

Tried the slicing technique and sort of uncomfortable with it right now. Plan on staying with it for a few weeks and see how well it works out. Couldn't tell much of a difference with my first shave. Figure I need time to adapt to it.

Originally Posted by Merc

Tried the slicing technique and sort of uncomfortable with it right now. Plan on staying with it for a few weeks and see how well it works out. Couldn't tell much of a difference with my first shave. Figure I need time to adapt to it.

Me too! Im thinking it will work out in the end.