Touch-Up Shaving with a DE

[The National Razor]

Hey all,

First of all, many thanks to all the posters for the kind assistance I have received hitherto. Now, if I may be so bold as to request further aid--I have another question.

I realize YYMV, but I find that even after a 3-4 pass shave I still have the "trouble spots" on my face that still have significant stubble. This is probably due to poor technique on my part and hopefully will diminish as I improve. In the olden times when I used a cartridge, I could go over these trouble spots without the use of lather (then the canned goo variety) again and again to clean them up.

Now that I am using a DE and shaving soap, I know I shouldn't do this, but I have been because I automatically do it without thinking. I catch myself and try to lather up the spot before going over it with the razor, but I noticed that the no-lather touch-up shave with the DE was getting the job done, and with no damage to my face. When I try the touch-up shave with lather, my results were not as good.

My question for the experienced shavers is, should I continue to do this? I know I am running risk of razor burn and irritation, not to mention nicks and cuts, but so far, so good (so what!--Dave Mustaine). Thanks for any help and advice.

[strat1117]

You must be much more careful with the DE, because it is much easier to cut yourself. Aside from that, I see no reason why you shouldn't do it -- I do.

:tongue:

Enjoy!

[uberculture]

I swear by the "touch and cut" method for cleanup. I don't lather my whole face to do the last pass, but I dip my fingers into the lather, and just swipe it over the place I'm touching up. I use the lathered hand to feel for stubble, then hit it with the razor.

[sfbobus]

Well, now I don't feel like the only one that has to do this. I'm seeing less
areas but still some. I do believe it will improve with practice.:tongue_sm

[studman46]

We all touch-up some trouble areas on neck, jawline, etc. with J-hooking, blade buffing, or whatever works but one of the SHAVING COMMANDMENTS is NEVER SHAVE OVER AN UNLATHERED AREA....nuff said.

[New2DEShaving_Montreal]

I normally do my touchups without lather. But, the trick is to make sure your face is wet AND slippery. Meaning, splash on some water only once, this leaves a film of lather substance on your face without completely washing off. This allows you to see the stubble and get rid of it. If it happens that I have no lather on my face, then I will lather up, rinse once, and then get to the trouble spots. See if that helps when you do your touchups.


Hey all,

First of all, many thanks to all the posters for the kind assistance I have received hitherto. Now, if I may be so bold as to request further aid--I have another question.

I realize YYMV, but I find that even after a 3-4 pass shave I still have the "trouble spots" on my face that still have significant stubble. This is probably due to poor technique on my part and hopefully will diminish as I improve. In the olden times when I used a cartridge, I could go over these trouble spots without the use of lather (then the canned goo variety) again and again to clean them up.

Now that I am using a DE and shaving soap, I know I shouldn't do this, but I have been because I automatically do it without thinking. I catch myself and try to lather up the spot before going over it with the razor, but I noticed that the no-lather touch-up shave with the DE was getting the job done, and with no damage to my face. When I try the touch-up shave with lather, my results were not as good.

My question for the experienced shavers is, should I continue to do this? I know I am running risk of razor burn and irritation, not to mention nicks and cuts, but so far, so good (so what!--Dave Mustaine). Thanks for any help and advice.

[GoldenMonkey]

The ol' "finger in the lather and smear" technique works well, as mentioned. Also consider an "oil pass" to finish (or something similar...I use pure glycerin and water - won't clog pores, easier to rinse off, and WAY slick). I'm even guilty of ("the horror!")...using my Braun electric to get those spots sometimes. It seems for me that some areas, no amount of passes in any direction will ever get truly smooth, and the ensuing razor burn is simply not worth the possibly BSS close shave. If I continually relather with the brush prior to getting at these spots it just doesn't help - there's too much cushion provided by the lather, and the stubble's already too short.