Thread: technique question for experienced shavers

Originally Posted by Matt69

I have a similar pattern of growth, and getting a close shave there is an ongoing project. Things that I've found which help are -

- a scything stroke. (I use my left hand for the right side and vice versa, with the blade edge upward)
- stretching from the side, to tighten the skin over the hollow to the side of the Adam's apple.
- pulling a face like Hector Salamanca:
Attachment 134345

HTH!

+1 I do the exact same thing. From my chin down to my Adam's apple my beard grows from left to right. Have not found a way yet to get it with the straight. I use a DE razor and can get it acceptable. I don't like going ATG with either the straight or DE. Too much irritation no matter what. Usually just a N to S pass and a little XTG.

On the Adam's apple and either side of it just a S to N pass just as stated above. If I try to do a N to S ATG pass I get irritation and ingrown hairs no matter how good the razor edge, face prep, or light touch.

I have a similar problem with my neck, the right side grows to the right and left to the left and the corners of my mouth and chin growing mostly in a 45 degree angle from center.

One of the solutions I have found is beard reduction, shaving straight down and straight up to reduce as much of the beard in these areas. This is where edge preparation really pays big dividends and allows me to make several passes without irritation. I do 2 passes with heavy lather WTG, 1 ATG, straight up, 1Across the grain and final ATG of the problem areas.

My final pass is with water against the grain with skin stretching in these problem areas. There is some contortion involved and you will have to figure out what combination works for you.

I don’t shave like this daily, usually it is 1WTG, 1ATG and 1 ATG in problem areas.

I would recommend a very keen razor, pasted for comfort. I like a .10 CBN or a well stropped Translucent or Black Arkansas edge. Strop your razor well and experiment with some paste and find a routine that works for you. Good soap helps, I like creams as opposed to hard soaps.

If you would like to PM me, I would be happy to put a .10 edge on a razor for you, so you can see what is possible.

I feel your pain.

Marty

One thing to keep in mind while stretching your skin is the direction your are stretching it. If you are stretching the skin WTG, you're actually flattening the hairs/stubble against the skin, be it ever so slightly. If you stretch ATG, you're lifting the hair/stubble from the skin, allowing the edge of the razor to do it's job more easily and requiring less pressure (not that you should be using a lot to begin with) and fewer strokes.