Thread: Problems with Chin

I have been shaving for a couple of months. I have become very comfortable with the straight and look forward to shaving. . I haven"t had any major mishaps just a couple of weepers. The only problem I am having is with my chin. No matter how hard I try I can't get over the bulge in my chin. As I roll over the end the razor starts pulling. Then a tug of war starts. the razor gets bogged down and my skin starts pulling. I feel if I keep pushing I will just slice right into my chin. The razor is sharp and I have a second straight that has the same problem. I have tried changing the angle to no avail. The way I get by is just go at it sideways a little at a time which takes forever. Can any body offer any help?

Thanks
Dave

I shave from north to south and east to west on the chin. Going south to north gets me the same problem you describe. Going across the chin isn't so bad as long as you stretch with your free hand. I also use a buffing stroke and angle the blade for a scything stroke, that seems to keep the pulling to a minimum. Practice really improves speed, a few shaves with the strokes that work will quickly be ingrained in your muscle memory.

Jfk's advice is good. Putting my tongue in my bottom lip helps stretch and flatten out too.

OK thanks I thought it was just me. It seems I have more success going across west to east (sideways)

My chin is a problem area too. I clench my lower lip in my teeth, pull my head back, and stretch the skin, accordingly with my free hand. Then I imagine an X on my chin and follow that for my shave strokes. Sometimes I have to do some finishing touches with my shavette or my Henry Sears 3/8.

If I go easy and use either the tip or heal and go side ways a little at a time I am good but it takes a lot of time. I have tried to tighten my skin by pulling almost every direction but that doesn't seem to make a difference it just seems to cause wrinkles in my chin. I am determined to get it I guess it will just take time. I can race through the rest of my face until I get to my chin then it takes me almost 10 min to get it all.


dmc Where are you located?

Thanks
Dave

Re: Problems with Chin

Sorry to hear this. Give Chin a chance, he's a nice guy. I have faith you two can resolve this.

OK I do get frustrated but I guess I can give him another chance. I just don't like the looks of him when he has all those whiskers. He seems to be a better looking guy and nicer when they are gone.

Getting the chin right is usually a matter of practice. It doesn't take much to come off the correct cutting angle and have the razor either stick or glide over the beard. If you have a baseball or tennis ball, try emulating the shaving stroke around the ball without touching the razor to it. This is the same motion you want when shaving around your chin. If you can transfer that motion after some practice with the ball it may help you.

Have fun.

Thanks Lynn I have watched your videos over and over and they have helped a lot. I guess it just takes practice. As I mentioned before I have become very comfortable now with the straight just need to get the chin figured out.

Thanks
Dave