Hello gents, So I finally received my murker HD 34c and Taylor of old bind street shaving cream. I love it! I've only nicked myself a few times and very minor nicks that went away with a splash of water. Anyway my current texhnique I use is first with the grain all over my face and neck which leaves a tiny bit of stubble, then I shave across the grain from nose to ear and against the grain on neck and then lather up again going xcross the grain again this time from nose to ear direction an again against the grain again. Doing it this way I've eliminated stubble on my upper lip I've never been able to get with a manual razor and receive no irritation on my neck with this razor even against the grain. Unfortunately somehow stubble remain on my jaw and chin even after the three passes I make with the methods above. With cartridge razor I've received ingrowns and razor bumps, I haven't had a single one with my new razor even on my neck or irritation (other than dryness but my nivea for men takes care of that). So now I'm considering going against the grain all over to get the smoothest shave possible, cause right now I just look Like a guy who sucks at shaving. Do you gents think I should make a fourth all over pass against the grain or eliminate one of my across the grain passes an of so which one? Your help and advice is very appreciated
Before you try anything crazy on your neck and jaw area, I strongly suggest you feel and take a very close look at the growth pattern down there. You might surprise yourself. You'll know what to do. If that doesn't work, try shaving opposing the grain growth. But be gentle. Very gentle. My neck can't handle it.
This may call down the wrath of the shaving gods, but I always and only shave against the grain. It has been working about fifty years now.
Welcome, It matters i cannot get around my jaw perfect.. I can do Xgrain and with the grain... but as soon as i try against the grain its either tugging or weepers for me. I have tried many different approaches. What i do is just a couple passes with the grain and cross grain. Then a very mild against the grain. I get a good shave... still some stubble but that doesn't bother me... much
Hmmm, that's sounds like a good idea. A light against the grain pass. I'll see how that goes tomorrow
I try to do very short strokes there. Usually doesn't get smooth but worth the try... unless you get irritation or weepers. Then it is not worth the effort. best of luck I can get my chin no problem. I attack it from every angle and get no tugging or irritation it is wonderful.
ATG is the only way I can easily shave my neck area without cuts. For most people it is the opposite so take care when you try. Remember no pressure and let the razor do the work especially when going ATG!
I also do atg pass on my neck , starting get less irritation with those pass after I started using some shave oil for that last atg pass , also prep can help soften beard to aviod irritation . mantic59 advance shaving techniques video on j-hooking and blade buffing are some good things to know ( my neck hair grain is multi directional choas )
I, too, have multi-directional chaos on my neck and have found the blade buffing technique helps; it's the only thing that will get a few spots on my neck anywhere near smooth. My early against-the-grain efforts weren't pleasant, so I started looking for ways to cheat into it. I've been starting across-the-grain (more of a 45º approach, not a 90º) and sort of turning into the grain after I've got the razor moving a bit. It's like a sneak attack and has helped tremendously. Another trick I'm using to help my ATG passes is what I saw Mantic59 call the "Gillette Slide." You move the razor at an angle to the side as you pull it through the whiskers. I've got a channel about an inch wide up the right side of my neck, next to my Adam's apple, where the hair grows upward. This move has helped me with that a lot. Check out Mantic59's video on YouTube to get a visual of this technique before giving it a shot. Finally, as others have mentioned already: super light pressure is key, especially when going against the grain. I'm only about six weeks into this DE shaving world, so take all of what I've said for what it's worth...about $1.50.
:sihns011 I do a WTG pass, then go straight to the AGT and leave it at that. it's not perfect, but irritation and cut free.
This is what I do... Never cut myself in over a year (till yesterday where I was being cocky with a new DE I picked up at an antique shop) Edit:dyac
Some people can do ATG and some people can't. I do an ATG pass on my final pass. I agree about really taking a look at which way your hair grows, on your neck especially, and map out your beard. You might be surprised that the hairs grows in a totally different direction than you thought they did. Above all else, just remember, use no pressure.......no pressure......no pressure. Let the razor do the work.
Gonna shave on Saturday instead ha. When I washed my face somehow I had some cuts that did not manifest themselves until I washed my face. Gonna let my face heal till the growth is a little longer.
I do really well with my straight razor shaving against the grain...on my face. When it comes to my chin area, I seem to always slice my face up. To start, I go down the sides of my face (with the grain) then pass with the straight from nose to ear. I have absolutely no problem going with the grain down my neck, but of course, I want to get that closer shave. My problem is my chin and right below my jaw. I am always, screwing that up. Perhaps it is my lack of experience, or I am not taking it slow enough. Anyway, the point is that I really enjoy the closeness of the shave, after shaving against the grain. But getting there? Difficult without carving up my chin. I find that I have to take my Gillette Fusion (pardon my use of a multi-blade), and go over where I took my straight as far as my neck and chin go. This is because the straight doesn't get close enough for me, or I probably haven't gotten the hang of it yet. It just leaves that tiny bit of stubble that I can't stand... Any tips or help with this? On a side note, I tried an aftershave ritual of cold water, witch hazel, cold water, Spanish Leather aftershave. I must say, my face felt great. Really smooth. The relief that I got from the witch hazel was really nice.
I'd say it's worth a try with one caveat. Don't try your first ATG shave the day of or the day before anything really important. It may or may not work well and it's just not worth the risk.
I think if you can get use to an AGT pass in your daily shave, you'll see a huge improvement in the quality of your shaves. Unless you have very fine hair, that's the only way you're going to get a true BBS shave. I'll share my routine with you, in case it helps: I wet my face very thoroughly with hot water, lather up, shave with the grain. Then I rinse my face with hot water again, re-lather, and do an AGT pass. The key here is to be GENTLE. Light, light, light strokes. Don't press down at all, just barely touch the blade to your face and bring it up in small strokes, rinsing the razor often. Keep a towel handy to dab at your neck and keep water from running down your chest. Over time you'll learn the little trouble spots and hard-to-reach places on your face. After the AGT pass I rinse again, then apply my soap or cream in broad paintbrush strokes to my neck and jawline, as these are my trouble spots. Then I just do a little touch-up in all the little places I've learned are hard to get smooth on the first two passes. One thing I've learned is don't try to do too much in the same pass. If you're having trouble getting one area as smooth as you'd like it, just move on to the rest of your face and come back to it on the next pass. Make sure you rinse your face and re-lather between each pass. I was having a lot of trouble with nicks and irritation before I started doing that, but it has made all the difference. Good luck!
I did what you said and went down with the grain, re-lathered, went across the face, re-lathered, went against the grain. I am feeling a lot more comfortable with my shaving techniques when I take it easy and do it slow. Yes, I did get two cuts on my face. BUT! I am building confidence, and finding out new techniques that are working for me. Thanks for the advice and help!
I must say that I am enjoying my shaves when I am able to take the time to do it. There is something about lathering up with hair from an animal in a wooden handle. Again, tonight wasn't the closest shave, but it was one of my most comfortable so far. I learned more techniques and feel better about things. Thanks TSD for the help!
Glad you're enjoying your shaves Dan, its great when you turn the old dreaded task into something you can look forward to. :happy088
