Badgers are striped. Should I be?

[T.Orso]

A couple of times in the last two weeks I have shaved what seemed to be a splendid shave, and then, a couple of hours later looked at myself in the mirror at work and noticed faint stripes on my cheeks. The effect takes that long to come into bloom as a faint uneven stubble comes in, and two hours later it fades into a more generalized afternoon shadow.

It's the R41 and the way I am using it, obviously. But just what am I getting wrong? Is it too much pressure, or blade angle perhaps?

Have others experienced this with an open comb? If so, any suggestions on how to correct it?

 

[weizemanner]

So to clarify, you are only making one WTG pass and it is leaving stubble behind in small stripes of stubble that correspond to the teeth on your razor's comb, right?

 

[T.Orso]

Actually, two or three passes over the area in question, below my temples. WTG, then XTG. I seldom do ATG here because it seems I have done a good job already (questionable perhaps). But otherwise yes, that's the idea. The stripes go XTG. And yes, they do seem to match the comb.

 

[weizemanner]

Did you check the blade gap? Make sure that the blade is even on both sides looking at it from every angle. I think if the blade gets too close or touches a tooth, then it won't cut right in that area.

Or you are using too steep of an angle, the comb side of the guard is barely touching the skin on most of my razors, otherwise it pushes the hair down and wipes away the lather where it touches. Try holding your razor with more of the endcap touching your face.

Anyway, hard to say without seeing your face and hair in person... Maybe you have just earned your stripes. Go get 'em tiger! Eh? Eh?

 

[dparish1952]

I have the same problem. It usually stops when I slightly (a) stretch the skin and (b) overlap the strokes.

HTH

 

[Haggises]

maybe.......
if you are pressing too hard and your angle is too oblique so that the comb is pessing into your skin, maybe it deforms the skin - makes mini-crests and troughs - before the blade passes over.
sounds ok in theory?

Do you have soap left on skin in stripes?

 

[T.Orso]

Thanks for these suggestions. I think it isn’t blade gap, because it is something that happens intermittently, not just on a new blade. I am more persuaded by the pressure and angle possibilities, especially in combination.

No, I don't get leftover lather that I have noticed.

Glad to know I am not the only one.

I have earned my stripes? But I am funny looking enough even without stripes!

Rar!

 

[jesseix]

You should join the X-men!