No more irritation, but not good cutting

[mwhals]

My neck has no irritation now or in grown hairs like I did with the Mach 3. My technique has evolved to where I don't get razor burn. My problem is that on my neck and jaw line, I find that I am having trouble getting much whisker removal. After two passes with the grain, It can still look like I haven't shaved. It can take 4 or 5 passes to shave and that is not BBS or maybe even not DFS.

What am I doing wrong? Carefully checking the angle, it seems to be the same as I use on my face, which does great.

Could it be that my whiskers are not softening enough? Are they laying on the skin instead of standing up?

I face lather with TOBS Avocado (sometimes Proraso) and I use a Merkur 38C. My latest blade to test is the Crystal and it has the same results.

There is no razor burn, no nicks, and no irritation. It just seems to take way too many passes to achieve a decent shave.

 

[theinternot]

You may need to be a bit more aggressive and try at least XTG (across the grain), or even ATG (against the grain).

Most people can't get BBS with only WTG passes.

I also find that a technique called J-Hooking works well for me right around my jaw line. But, even when using ATG and J-Hooking, I still find that sometimes there is still stubble left.

 

[SiBurning]

Seems like it's just a matter of developing technique. It's a pretty natural development to get a good touch and then move along to tackle other parts of your face, so you're doing well. 4-5 passes isn't excessive. Just keep trying things, and don't lose patience. You should improve slowly and regularly.

You probably need to go XTG a couple of times. Keep in mind there's 360 degrees to work with, not just 4 directions. Also that the neck and jaw are curves, not straight lines. Putting that together can be hard.

The grain on my jaw goes partly downward, and roughly left to right on both sides. My first pass is straight down from cheek to neck, arcing the blade to keep contact at a reasonable, if not perfect, angle as it goes across the jaw. For the first XTG pass, I need to shave either straight across the jaw or at a slightly downward angle. The final ATG pass is really an arc, but roughly upward from neck to cheek, and partly right to left, and I often blade buff to get it right.

One thing that often trips me up is if I go ATG directly after ***, which I often do--my shave is typically 2-pass and touch up. It's hard to do this with a Merkur because of the way the blade is angled within the head. It's much easier with my Gillette razors. The Merkurs (Futur and HD) just want to take off too much hair at once, so I need the XTG passes. The Gillettes are less finicky, and end up making an easier job of it over my jaw.

A second reason to grab a second razor is that it helps you to learn more about shaving. While it's good to stick with one for a while, you're at the point where you have a good touch. Switching to another very different razor will help you learn more about blade angle, and that will help your technique over time.

The neck is actually a lot harder, partly because the skin tends to be softer, partly because there's no bone behind it as there is along the jaw, partly because the curves are more complicated, and partly because the grain tends to be more complicated. Because of all that, it's hard to give specific advice. Use the stuff above as a guideline.

 

[kingfisher]

Sharp blades, maybe a more aggressive razor?

A Gillette adjustable might not be a bad idea. You could see whether increasing the aggressiveness helps or not. If you don't like it, you can sell it on the B/S/T.

 

[Trigger]

Seems like it's just a matter of developing technique. It's a pretty natural development to get a good touch and then move along to tackle other parts of your face, so you're doing well. 4-5 passes isn't excessive. Just keep trying things, and don't lose patience. You should improve slowly and regularly.

You probably need to go XTG a couple of times. Keep in mind there's 360 degrees to work with, not just 4 directions. Also that the neck and jaw are curves, not straight lines. Putting that together can be hard.

The grain on my jaw goes partly downward, and roughly left to right on both sides. My first pass is straight down from cheek to neck, arcing the blade to keep contact at a reasonable, if not perfect, angle as it goes across the jaw. For the first XTG pass, I need to shave either straight across the jaw or at a slightly downward angle. The final ATG pass is really an arc, but roughly upward from neck to cheek, and partly right to left, and I often blade buff to get it right.

One thing that often trips me up is if I go ATG directly after ***, which I often do--my shave is typically 2-pass and touch up. It's hard to do this with a Merkur because of the way the blade is angled within the head. It's much easier with my Gillette razors. The Merkurs (Futur and HD) just want to take off too much hair at once, so I need the XTG passes. The Gillettes are less finicky, and end up making an easier job of it over my jaw.

A second reason to grab a second razor is that it helps you to learn more about shaving. While it's good to stick with one for a while, you're at the point where you have a good touch. Switching to another very different razor will help you learn more about blade angle, and that will help your technique over time.

The neck is actually a lot harder, partly because the skin tends to be softer, partly because there's no bone behind it as there is along the jaw, partly because the curves are more complicated, and partly because the grain tends to be more complicated. Because of all that, it's hard to give specific advice. Use the stuff above as a guideline.

+1 above.

 

[Defcon5]

I tend to reduce with a WTG pass and two XTG passes before any ATG. I used to get super red from trying ATG, but with a lighter hand and proper reduction beforehand.. I've had a lot better results.

I love the feather blades in my DE. Also consider spending a little more hot towel time or conditioning your face hair. Softer hair could help your mission too.

 

[4th and Nesbitt]

My neck has no irritation now or in grown hairs like I did with the Mach 3. My technique has evolved to where I don't get razor burn. My problem is that on my neck and jaw line, I find that I am having trouble getting much whisker removal. After two passes with the grain, It can still look like I haven't shaved. It can take 4 or 5 passes to shave and that is not BBS or maybe even not DFS.

What am I doing wrong? Carefully checking the angle, it seems to be the same as I use on my face, which does great.

Could it be that my whiskers are not softening enough? Are they laying on the skin instead of standing up?

I face lather with TOBS Avocado (sometimes Proraso) and I use a Merkur 38C. My latest blade to test is the Crystal and it has the same results.

There is no razor burn, no nicks, and no irritation. It just seems to take way too many passes to achieve a decent shave.

I'm a relative newbie myself, but I've been going 1 pass WTG, 1 pass ATG, and blade buffing around my jawline and chin area. BBS 2 days in a row.

 

[mwhals]

I take a hot shower before shaving and stand with my face to the hot shower stream for a little while before getting out of the shower. I then immediately start face lathering and then go to do other things like get dressed (except shirt) and brush my hair. That takes between a minute or two.

My facial hair likes to curve as it grows. I do can get the jaw by going XTG as that is straight down toward the floor. My WTG is from the chin to the ear, which is an awkward angle for me personally.

I have thought that my razor isn't aggressive enough for my face. Even with Feather blades, I have roughly the same problem. No razor burn or problems other than the hair just doesn't want to cut WTG. I can get it much better going ATG, but I learned not to do that when my stubble isn't already extremely short. As a result, I do a lot of the other passes before I can do a ATG pass.

I am beginning to think a different razor might be the answer. Since I have perfected lathering and the technique with the 38C, I am beginning to find short comings with the razor in regards to my jaw/neck. Even cold water shaving has the same problems.

What would be a next step on razors? I am starting to get RAD and figure that I can justify another razor at this time to try to cut down the number of passes.

Open comb? Slant? Merkur? Different brand? EJ 89L?

I am open. After seeing the Merkur corrosion problem thread, I wouldn't be against getting a different brand if it can lessen my passes greatly. I do not like having to do so many passes and would like to get to where one WTG and one XTG gives me extremely adequate results and an additional ATG would give me DFS to BBS for a total of three passes.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[James099]

I would also recommend a little more agression and an XTG pass. If I only did WTG on my neck, I would't get a very close shave either. I don't think it should cause you any irritation.

 

[mwhals]

I am thinking about getting a new razor and heard good things about the EJ DE89L, which is a candidate. I do XTG passes too, but they don't make it that much faster since the 38C just has problems on my jaw and neck. If it was technique, I would be getting razor burn or not cutting anything on any of my face. On my face and chin, I get good cutting, but not on the jaw line or neck with the 38C.

Mark

 

[SiBurning]

I am thinking about getting a new razor and heard good things about the EJ DE89L, which is a candidate. I do XTG passes too, but they don't make it that much faster since the 38C just has problems on my jaw and neck. If it was technique, I would be getting razor burn or not cutting anything on any of my face. On my face and chin, I get good cutting, but not on the jaw line or neck with the 38C.

Mark

I beg to differ.

My guess is what you need more than anything now is patience and practice. Your technique is probably fine. It just takes some time to refine.

In time you'll find you can do an excellent job with that razor but it takes more practice to learn the right techniques in those areas. It's the same old, same old... angle, pressure, direction, skin pulling, etc. I do think a second, less aggressive razor will help you separate technique from specific-technique with a razor. Others are saying more aggressive. Someone mentioned a Gillette adjustable, which I think would be a great idea for you, and a great second razor. It also lets you try out different levels of aggressiveness, which you certainly seem to be ready for.

 

[shmeegs]

Modify your technique. I can't do ATG, so I do XTG one way and XTG the other way. Not BBS, but better than razor bumps and burns.

 

[Dib]

i half to go atg to get bbs. i also look like i havent shaved after a few passes

 

[mwhals]

I am now getting smoother cutting and no irritation. I am in the process of testing blades, but the 38C is getting the job done without any changes in my prep.

Now I am thinking what razor to get next since this one is very close to getting mastered. Merkur 39C or a EJ DE89L? At least the 39C will match my current brush. The DE89L will require me to get a new matching brush.