This is really very simple.Hi Everyone, thanks for all of the great info you've got here. As the title says, I'm looking for advice on how to NOT get too close of a shave. A little background; I've been cursed with sensitive skin and a coarse beard, mostly on the chin. Ever since my beard came in enough to be noticeable, I've struggled with ingrown hairs and irritation. I've tried cartridges, three different DE razors with various blades, straight razors, and a few different electrics. The 'best' (best as in resulting in the least irritation) results I've gotten have been from electric razors, primarily because they don't shave too close. I do still get some irritation and a few ingrown hairs if I'm not careful, but less than with other products.
Which brings me to the original question; are there any wet-shaving products available that will NOT give a super close shave, particularly in the area below the lower lip? That's the biggest trouble spot for me. If I go with the grain and come down the chin, I run into the protruding part of my chin, cut too close and get ingrown hairs. If I go up against the grain, it's easier to follow the curve of the chin, but then it cuts too close below my lip and I get ingrown hairs. I need something that will cut a bit above the skin. BBS is NOT the goal here; I could care less about smoothness, I just need to look presentable. If I weren't still in the Air Force I'd just grow a beard, sadly that's not an option yet.
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. I'm considering a Parker Semi Slant, hoping that the angled blade will slide the hairs a bit easier without getting too close. My chin hair is coarse and tough enough that even a brand new Feather DE blade pulls with my Merkur DE handle.
Get yourself a MILD razor. Mild means the razor's head has a small blade gap and also a small blade exposure.
Feather AS-D2 would be ideal if you like DE razors.
I prefer SE razors, as you can alter the blade feel (exposure and gap) by using different size blades (width and thickness wise).
So, that sorts the hardware part.
Software wise, I'd use a top quality product and forgo the "usual suspects" everyone starts with. Start with the very best instead, say A&E kaizen base soap. That should sort out software.
And the very most important part - your technique. If you don't care for smooth, let alone BBS, simply shave 1-pass WTG and call it a day.
Good luck!