Beard reduction on each pass and lower lip to chin area

[purptiger]

Hello, been doing this wet shaving thing for 3 mos. now. Things are getting better, but I still have some questions. It seems that I have to spend a lot of time on my touch up pass. I use either a Gil slim adj or a EJ de89. I use 3 passes on the face wtg, xtg, and atg. On my neck area I just use 2 passes wtg and atg since 3rd pass is too irritating. I know about blade angle and light touch and the concept of beard reduction, but a lot of stubble is left for the touch up pass.

In the lower lip to chin area the only way to clean up this stubble is to use blade buffing atg until gone. Lately I have been squeezing my brush to get my lather out and putting it on this area. Still I get nicks and weepers. I am looking for advice to help me get a more close, comfortable shave. By the way, I do stretch the skin as I shave.

 

[Bcobu1102]

I do the same exact thing. What seems to work for me is blade buffing with no pressure until I can not longer feel the whiskers on my razor. I used to stretch my skin, but realized my shave wasn't as close when I did. I slightly "hyperextend" now which gives me a really close shave. You may have to have a day or two with irritation to figure out exactly what direction to blade buff. One thing I started doing on my neck that helps is J-hooking. If you're not sure how to check out Manic59 or geofatboy on youtube. Both really great sources of wet shaving knowledge.
-Ben

 

[musicman1951]

Do you leave the razor on your face for blade buffing (on the back stroke as well)? If not, you may want to try that. It works for me.

 

[deruitem]

I would try the J hook method. If you are prone to irritation try using more water in your lather for the area

 

[FaceScraper]

Do you leave the razor on your face for blade buffing (on the back stroke as well)? If not, you may want to try that. It works for me.

+1 . I use the above method for my upper lip/nose area and also my chin area when blade buffing. Works for me. Using NO pressure.

 

[Wayne1963]

You may need a more aggressive blade or razor. I usually use straights, but when I DE, my favorite is a slant bar. I have a medium dense beard, but it is very wiry, and the slant mows through it all in 2 passes with little to no touchups. Less passes can equal less irritation.

 

[Niles]

You may need a more aggressive blade or razor.

This was my thought, too.

 

[purptiger]

My beard is heavy and I wated to know if I should stop going atg on the lower lip area? Any tips for wtg or xtg on the lower lip area. Also, I am not sure i understand blade buff on the back stroke. I pick up the razor and put it down while stretching the skin. My main concern is the lower lip area since I am fine on the neck. Is a slant a better idea than using the slim adj or my futur on a higher blade gap or using the guillotine stroke for that matter?

 

[Sceptic Pencil]

Any tips for wtg or xtg on the lower lip area?

I had similar problems to you until I started using more aggressive razors. My Muhle R89 didn't take off enough stubble WTG & XTG & wasn't man enough to shave ATG on my lower & upper lip. I use a FaTip now & using my tongue to stretch the skin on my upper & lower lip, I get a closer shave with 1 WTG pass than I did with 3 passes, plus buffing with the Muhle. I also shave XTG with the FaTip to get a super close shave & don't need to go ATG.

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I agree with everyone. I have found a more aggressive razor is the key for me. However, if I have a Feather blade in a milder razor I'll blade buff and J-hook for similar results. This morning I used an Ikon OC with an Astra but couldn't get those neck hairs down so I pulled out the R41 to clean it up.

 

[purptiger]

Can someone explain blade buffing with razor against the skin and using a backstroke?

 

[Ronnie Aloha]