Some new tips required

**theshankleton** · 09-19-2006, 12:23 PM

Shaving is good fun now.. but I need more tips. After almost 2 weeks of good shaving here is an update:

Smooth on the face, still a little rough on the neck. Mostly irritation free, few red blotches though..

Preshave:

Hot Shower. Then a drop of skin food on the face as I prepare my lather with the Trumpers Soap.

Shaving: N-S face, S-N neck. The neck is not as shaved as I would like..

I need more tutoring by the pros..

Lathering. I use a hot bowl. But I have noticed inbetween re lathering the brush and bowl get cold. Any tips on how to keep the lathered brush warm instead of always creating new lather from scratch on each pass?

**Dennis** · 09-19-2006, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by theshankleton

Lathering. I use a hot bowl. But I have noticed inbetween re lathering the brush and bowl get cold. Any tips on how to keep the lathered brush warm instead of always creating new lather from scratch on each pass?

You need to use a Scuttle or float the bowl in hot water. I sometimes use a plastic electric kettle and my mixing bowl (clear Pyrex medium size mixing bowl) fits perfectly on the kettle for nice, warm lather throughout the shave.

Dennis

**theshankleton** · 09-19-2006, 12:34 PM

Many thanks, I need to try this. What about the brush though? Should I rinse and use the lather in the bowl or restart the lathering? Im thinking the latter would be a waste of product..

**moses** · 09-19-2006, 12:37 PM

If the weather is warm, I just let the lather get cold. Doesn't bother me, or seem to impact the shave.

As to the issue at hand. Do you only do that one pass? Do you do S - N on the neck because that is the way the hair grows there? Unless you are really sure, you might want to really investigate exactly which way it grows where. Likely to be different on different parts of the neck. Too early against the grain is more likely a cause of irritation than roughness, though.

As for roughness, you only mention one shaving direction. I take it you do all your passes (how many) in the same direction. That is probably the cause of roughness on the neck, rather than any more elemental failure of technique. Most of my face will never be truly smooth if I shave only with the grain. If you want total smoothness, you are likely to have to start experimenting with across and against the grain passes.

**theshankleton** · 09-19-2006, 12:40 PM

3 N-S, then 1 Ear to Chin.

2 S-N on the neck..

**moses** · 09-19-2006, 12:42 PM

Try adding a N-S third pass on the the Neck.

**SLider** · 09-19-2006, 12:48 PM

On those harder to reach areas and sensitive areas, try taking very short, light strokes (often referred to as blade buffing). For more info see THIS post. It was very helpful for me in those tougher/sensitive places.

**gc_30286** · 09-19-2006, 01:09 PM

i agree with mosses 2 weeks into your DE shaving its probably time to work on some different passes. i dont know what direction your hair grows in so ill try to stay away from directional passes (n-s). i see you are doing 3 with the grain passes and one across. i think 3 with the grain passes is overkill unless your beard has grown out quite a bit. you could do 2 with the grain and two across in oposite directions (e-w,w-e). also some diagonal passes may help. start experimenting and see what works best for you. make sure of the pattern on your neck as ill wager it has several different growth directions.

best of luck
matthew

**Suzuki** · 09-19-2006, 03:55 PM

I find that I need at least a N-S and S-N pass to get a decent shave.

The hair on my neck grows from the middle of the neck outwards, so if I want to get my neck nice and smooth, I also do a (looking into the mirror) an E-W on the right side and a W-E on the left (ear to adams's apple) at around a 45 degree angle with some touch ups being straight across.

To figure out what works for you, you need to understand which direction the hair grows in various spots to make sure you know which angle is with vs. against the grain.

Hope that helps.

**rtaylor61** · 09-19-2006, 09:44 PM

I've mentioned this to you before, and I'll take one more shot. Forget N-S, etc, and focus on with, across and against the grain. If you entire beard grows N-S, my hat is off to you. Go back to your original post and re-read my suggestions.

Randy

**TimmyBoston** · 09-19-2006, 10:28 PM

For my neck (and my face) I do a N-S pass then a S-N pass. and finally an ear to chin, and on my neck a lower outside corner of my neck (below my ear) to my chin. That gives me a close smooth shave. But to be honest, I still get irritation on my neck; I have since I began shaving, I have very sensitve skin and my neck is even more sensitive. My advice is to make sure you keep your razor pressure very light, you may want to check Kyle's post, "What Works For Me" and look at the pictures of grip to keep the pressure light. Keep gentle pressure and multiple passes.

**rikrdo** · 09-19-2006, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by theshankleton

Lathering. I use a hot bowl. But I have noticed inbetween re lathering the brush and bowl get cold. Any tips on how to keep the lathered brush warm instead of always creating new lather from scratch on each pass?

See below.
Mug warmer found almost everywhere.

**av8or234** · 09-20-2006, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

I've mentioned this to you before, and I'll take one more shot. Forget N-S, etc, and focus on with, across and against the grain. If you entire beard grows N-S, my hat is off to you. Go back to your original post and re-read my suggestions.

Randy

I agree completely. I started with N-S, S-N...but now its one pass with, one across, one against and then light touch up. Works so much better than concentrating on cardinal directions.