Perfect shaving and nicks?

maxbirsa

maxbirsa

Veteran
slapo said:
If I were performing a pass on the cheek where I'd be going from top of the cheek to the jaw line, it'd be maybe three to four short strokes in the same direction for me. (One more if I were to turn my head sideways and bullfrog the neck, but that's not important atm.)
Most people I've seen perform short strokes go stroke-lift-stroke-lift-stroke, whereas I go stroke-backstep-stroke-backstep-stroke.
The stroke would be ~1.5cm to 2.5cm and the backstep (or backstroke) would be ~0.5cm. The razor and blade stay on the skin.
I find that if I (and the people I've seen shave) lift the razor off the skin, then a part of the stroke is often a bit off angle-wise, until the angle gets adjusted... and then it's time to lift the razor again.
Keeping the razor on the skin changes the amount of adjustment that needs to be performed - it's much smaller and quicker to do, so more of the stroke is at the desired angle.

It also helps when using a safety bar or closed comb head on longer growth - it helps reduce the amount of "hair planing" the blade ends up doing.

Does any of that make sense?
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Thank you so much for your great explnation! I am going to try it at home :laugh:
 
maxbirsa

maxbirsa

Veteran
I have tried the "swallow and hold" technique today, with not so great results (more nicks than ever, sorry for the bad quality shot below and the mobile phone on the way).
20231230_122932.jpg


However, after some aluminum application, one minute later my neck was like this:
20231230_123444.jpg

Not perfect but quite good. The area of my neck with that indent is also quite tricky to me.
On the rest of the fact I get very good / perfect results without nicks.

I still feel that I have a lot to learn, but watching the videos above I feel that my neck's geometry is particularly challenging when comparing to other men's neck.... or maybe I am just not skilled enough?
 
slapo

slapo

It's... alive!
maxbirsa said:
Sorry, what do you mean here? I did not get it :S
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See here (the first one) - it's basically tilting the razor head relative to the shaving direction by 10-45 degrees before performing a stroke:

The third one from left is an earlier version of the Gillette slide, but I found the first one to be better - easier to perform on not-quite-flat areas.
However, I think you might want to answer the question @J349 asked above first, as something doesn't seem quite right.
 
Twelvefret

Twelvefret

Forum GOD!
I am curious is proprioception is also a factor is shaving? As I age, I know I'd better not be jumping up on any downed logs in the woods because my proprioception has diminished over time. I find that using a straight requires a light touch so that you allow the blade to do the work. Muscle memory has built over time so that using a DE or SE close to the skin comes natural.
 
Chris

Chris

Forum DOG!
Staff member
Twelvefret said:
I am curious is proprioception is also a factor is shaving? As I age, I know I'd better not be jumping up on any downed logs in the woods because my proprioception has diminished over time. I find that using a straight requires a light touch so that you allow the blade to do the work. Muscle memory has built over time so that using a DE or SE close to the skin comes natural.
Click to expand...
If it is I'm guessing it's not a massive factor because my proprioception's terrible, I can't even get a mug into a microwave without concentrating and I regularly walk into furniture and door frames.
 
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maxbirsa

maxbirsa

Veteran
Third try today, trying to remember all the good advices from you guys, while shaving slowly and with great care.
I think I got the best result up to date, no nicks, only a little reddish skin on my Adam's apple. I did not repeat the swallow and hold technique, given the bad result of yesterday.
The two best advices were:
1) the ATG correct angle as shown in the video (start with the cap and gradually increasing the angle) - BRILLIANT
2) QUOTE You don't need to lift the razor off your skin if you're shaving in the same direction in-between strokes, you can just go back by about half a centimeter to displace the lather a little. This should help in making finer angle adjustments. UNQUOTE @slapo

This is how it looked today. Still room for improvement but I am closing this year with a pretty happy smile 😁

20231231_111423.jpg
20231231_111415.jpg
 
J349

J349

Forum GOD!
maxbirsa said:
You are absolutely right. I do my first pass WTG, from bottom up, and the pass ATG up-down
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From the pictures appear that you still have plenty of growth to perform an ATG up-down pass. My suggestion is to get a razor that’s more efficient, to cut more hair on the first pass, if you want to maintain your WTG-ATG routine, or don’t go ATG on your problem spots.
 
SeanC

SeanC

Forum GOD!
J349 said:
From the pictures appear that you still have plenty of growth to perform an ATG up-down pass. My suggestion is to get a razor that’s more efficient, to cut more hair on the first pass, if you want to maintain your WTG-ATG routine, or don’t go ATG on your problem spots.
Click to expand...
Agree. Mild razors don't work for all and can lead to pressure being applied subconsciously or unnecessary extra passes. Something like a Gamechanger 0.84 SB is not unduly expensive and isn't a 'face peeler'

Taking your time and learning about your face, as you are doing, is a good way to progress
 
slapo

slapo

It's... alive!
If you're going to take the advice above, I'd suggest trying a shim or two first, just to see whether a more aggressive razor would be the way to go for you.
 
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