Thread: 2 weeks into straight razor shaves

Ok, I admit I bought my first straight razor 2 weeks ago because I thought it was "manly" and cool. I have to say that after 2 weeks of shaving, i'm hooked on straight razor shaving. To all you new users, all the talk about a baby butt smooth shave is true! I'm still learning on a daily basis and so far the only problem i'm having is the area of the neck. My side face area and chin after I shave is completly smoooooth. I will try to update my shaving results as I get more proficent.

Terryearp,
Welcome aboard. Sounds like you are making real progress. I am still new too and have a similar problem. My cheaks get real smooth and like you I still have problems with my neck. I have made progress there, but it is still not just right.

Couple of things to think about; 1) the hair on my neck grows front to back rather than N to S. I usually make a N to S pass first and follow that by a S to N pass and this didn't seem to work well and 2) holding the blade seemed strange on the S to N pass.

Here is what I did... I still make the first pass N to S, but I have greatly improved my stropping technique and found I am getting closer with that first pass. Second is blade ANGLE. On the second pass (S to N) I have the spine very close to the skin, in fact almost touching and found that is the closest I could get. The last thing was a combination of stretching the skin and pulling it from front to back so the hair is at more of an ATG angle and moving the blade in a rotation or mowing pattern rather than moving it straight. Be careful to not pull the blade across the skin with this stroke. I seem to be getting very close with this technique.

Good luck

Welcome to both of you! I got into it about 3 months ago. I was having trouble with the neck area just below the jawline as my beard grows from the left side of my neck to the right. I have figured out a few things. When starting the shave I pull upward with my fingers just below the side burn, as I shave closer to my neck I move my hand down so I can pull the neck skin just under the jawline up to the jawline and get it that way. Believe it or not for the left side I tilt my head down and to the left so the skin kind of bunches up. Now I don't have to pull so much but it helps to reduce the jawline angle. I also have tried using a barbers blade (small straight) for those areas and have had some success. Either way it took me 40 to 50 shaves to start getting this worked out to where I like it. Hang in there and be patient.

Welcome aboard, guys! For help with your neck, you might take a look at this thread: Neck XTG. I found it very helpful when I was having issues getting my neck shaved well, too. There's a useful diagram at the bottom of the first page in the thread, and good discussion of the techniques involved on the following pages.

The technique of rotating the blade like that of a mower is one variant of scything. Another useful technique is known as guillotining, which is useful when you're attacking an area that is narrow. Basically what you do is effectively shorten the cutting length of the edge by leading with the toe or heel in the direction in which you need to shave. Think of how the blade of a guillotine comes straight down but the blade itself is angled. These are both useful, but you really have to be comfortable with your basic technique before trying them out.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the input, if I could shave my neck area from west to east and vis versa i'd have it made!

Going EW or WE could be a little dangerous. Have you tried a NNW or something similar at an angle? Plus the way you stretch makes a lot of difference here.

Originally Posted by terryearp

Ok, I admit I bought my first straight razor 2 weeks ago because I thought it was "manly" and cool. I have to say that after 2 weeks of shaving, i'm hooked on straight razor shaving. To all you new users, all the talk about a baby butt smooth shave is true! I'm still learning on a daily basis and so far the only problem i'm having is the area of the neck. My side face area and chin after I shave is completly smoooooth. I will try to update my shaving results as I get more proficent.

Welcome… I’ve been using a straight for just over a year now and I get a BBS shave every morning in about 15 minutes for prep, 2 passes, and cleanup. It took time and patience.

When I started, I did not use my DE for cleanup, and I used the straight for the entire shave… the first shaves took about 45 minutes and a lot of re-lathering, so I did these at night.

I would make one pass, N-S / WTG and sectioned my face into quarters, just like with the DE and used only my dominate right-hand. I worked into using my left hand on the left side and right hand on the right side, still only WTG… I tried some XTG and ATG moves, but had to introduce them as time progressed. XTG was easy on my face, and after trying 2 or 3 times on my neck, my mind was made up, the neck was only WTG and ATG.

I got my pattern down to just two passes, because three is just more irritating, and the first pass is WTG on face and neck, the second pass is XTG on face, ear to chin, and ATG on the neck. I use the cross hand for the XTG passes and I use my right hand for ATG on both sides of the neck.

Using this pattern, I was able to attain BBS shaves on occasion, and it took about 45-60 nights before got my routine to under 20 minutes and then I started back to morning shaves. The hot shower did make it easier and the more proficient I got the faster I could finish.

It took about another two months before I consistently had a BBS shave… As I become more comfortable, I added mixed diagonal passes and scything sweep cuts, and more often then not, when I ‘experimented’ I paid the price… there will be blood… expect it. I believe this is what some refer to as "let the BBS come to you, don't chase it!"

Now, I would say the only times I get nicked is when I am not thinking about what I’m doing, or testing my honing skills. For me, shaving with a straight is the best way, even with all the product addictions. It has provided more comfortable shaves that last longer, and with the touch of nostalgia that gives a sense of accomplishment of an art from times gone by… except for the minority brotherhood here.

It seems the girls are also a bit fascinated when they watch.

ADDED: BTW, I strop my razors at night so I don't need to feel rushed in the morning, and I use two razors for a daily rotation.