Perfect shaving and nicks?

[slapo]

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.

I think it actually looks like some areas are practically overshaved (jaw line, cheeks closer to the mouth), and some, as you've observed, a little undershaved (neck and a part of the chin).
I wonder whether going XTG on the first pass wouldn't help - it should cause resistance from hair (so no irritation either), but might yield a slightly closer shave.

 

[Zorro]

I have to say that i have been very impressed with my Merkur Progress. It's a tad heavier and bulkier that other razors, but the adjustability has given me lots to experiment with and i feel i have learned a lot about my technique in using it.

 

[slapo]

I have to say that i have been very impressed with my Merkur Progress. It's a tad heavier and bulkier that other razors, but the adjustability has given me lots to experiment with and i feel i have learned a lot about my technique in using it.

I have to say that I've heard that the Parker Variant is a very similar shave to the Merkur Progress, and that's probably the only razor I was genuinely happy to have moved on.
The amount of blade flex was way too high for me. I could often feel it even during a WTG pass, which I usually don't feel much.

 

[maxbirsa]

Thanks @slapo.
I think I have good margin of improvements with my current gear - I have just invested in the Feather AS-D2. I want to play around for a while, maybe switching blades, and trying to improve my skills further, before adding more elements to the equation.

 

[maxbirsa]

and, by the way, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL, wet shavers!

 

[chazt]

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.

That’s me! My right shoulder too often bumps into door frames.

 

[slapo]

Thanks @slapo.
I think I have good margin of improvements with my current gear - I have just invested in the Feather AS-D2. I want to play around for a while, maybe switching blades, and trying to improve my skills further, before adding more elements to the equation.

I'd also recommend to play with your lather a bit - I stand by what I wrote earlier, but you might find that you'd prefer a slightly thicker lather for the actual shave, for example.

 

[Twelvefret]

“Those who spend too much time shaving below the adams’s apple have too much time”
Most interesting man in the world

 

[maxbirsa]

Hello gents,
fast forward a couple of weeks practicing more, and I have greatly improved my ATG skills. I went through a careful preparation, how water, pre-shave oil on the skin, careful soap lathering. I have learned to how to better manage angle and pressure on different areas and got the best shaving up to date and ZERO nicks!!
One key factor is, for me, turn the head left or right, to make my neck "indent" area to come out.

 

[Vacumatic]

Hello gents,
fast forward a couple of weeks practicing more, and I have greatly improved my ATG skills. I went through a careful preparation, how water, pre-shave oil on the skin, careful soap lathering. I have learned to how to better manage angle and pressure on different areas and got the best shaving up to date and ZERO nicks!!
One key factor is, for me, turn the head left or right, to make my neck "indent" area to come out.

View attachment 145087View attachment 145088

Bloody 'ell, Last time I saw a neck stretched out like that it belonged to Anne Boleyn!

Well done on sorting out the shaving technique, I know it sounds odd but it means that many actually look forward to Shaving Time.

 

[maxbirsa]

LOL

One possible reason why we look forward to Shaving Time is because we get so concentrated in a (nowadays) rare activity of manual + high precision. We keep certain muscle active AND our brain during the delicate operation.

 

[Sami]

Hello gents,
fast forward a couple of weeks practicing more, and I have greatly improved my ATG skills. I went through a careful preparation, how water, pre-shave oil on the skin, careful soap lathering. I have learned to how to better manage angle and pressure on different areas and got the best shaving up to date and ZERO nicks!!
One key factor is, for me, turn the head left or right, to make my neck "indent" area to come out.

Well done on keeping at it investing time and figuring out the technique that fits best