The Chin, a study in frustration...

Salt · 10-07-2008, 03:08 PM

How hard is it to obtain a smooth finish on the chin? My chin has lots of "form" to it, in that there are all kinds of crazy angles at which I need to account for. Any hepful hints would be aprreciated. Also, it is of some note that the skin in difficult to be pulled taut on the chin, any thoughts?

Lynn · 10-07-2008, 03:17 PM

With the chin, it is best to experiment with what makes the different areas taut. The area under the lip will be different than the sides of the chin. The best way is to try very short and light strokes in the different areas until you find which cutting angles and stretches work best for you.

Hope this helps.

Good luck,

Lynn

Salt · 10-07-2008, 03:26 PM

Thank you Mr. Abrams!

Experimentation seems to be at the crux of mastering this newfound skill...like painting or any other art I suppose. Moreover, as has been stated elsewhere, you've already been of great help to me and so many others.

hoglahoo · 10-07-2008, 03:48 PM

yeah, I'm still experimenting with my chin, looking for anything to make it even quicker/easier. I'll discover something, use it for awhile and then think, "hmm, what about this?"

JimmyHAD · 10-07-2008, 04:17 PM

That was one of the toughest areas for me to get too. If the razor isn't really shave ready it isn't going to cut it, no pun intended. I found that using my thumb and forefinger on either side of my chin and stretching up towards the ears is my most effective stretch for the end of the chin. Also varying the direction in which you approach your whiskers until you find the one that works best for your individual beard.

fpessanha · 10-07-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salt

Thank you Mr. Abrams!

Experimentation seems to be at the crux of mastering this newfound skill...like painting or any other art I suppose. Moreover, as has been stated elsewhere, you've already been of great help to me and so many others.

That is very true. I don't consider myself a novice anymore but, from time to time, I still resort to Lynn's DVD. Great peice of work. A world of resources on a lot of shaving related stuff. Thank you!

sidneykidney · 10-07-2008, 05:28 PM

I also heard recently that the closeness of a shave in general may be affected by the direction in which the skin is pulled tight. For instance on the cheeks the hair almost uniformly grows down the face. So if I pull the skin taught down the ways the hair is pulled closer to the skin, making it harder to get a close shave. Conversely, if you pull the skin up the way the hairs stand up more making it easier to get a close shave. Does this make sense?

The long and short is that on the chin hair grows pretty much in all directions. To get a close shave you will need to spend some time each shave taking it from each angle. Its just a fact.

As a side note, hair on the neck usually has a parting in the same way the hair on your head does. For that reason a uniform direction of shave on the neck rarely produces a uniformly smooth shave on the neck. Take some time to discover where the parting is. Give your neck a day or two's growth and feel it. It will be smoother when you push it one way than the other way. The smoothest way is the direction your hair is growing.

I think i'm right on saying this, arent I Mr Abrams?

netsurfr · 10-12-2008, 12:48 PM

Don't get too frustrated. The chin is tough to get down with the constantly changing angles. Keep experimenting and you will come up with the combination that works best for you.

Good luck and enjoy the learning experience.

BeBerlin · 10-12-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyH-AD

found that using my thumb and forefinger on either side of my chin and stretching up towards the ears is my most effective stretch for the end of the chin. Also varying the direction in which you approach your whiskers until you find the one that works best for your individual beard.

Lessons in anal behaviour: I drew up a map of my hair growth, the devised a cunning plan how to attack them most efficiently. Ended up with a mixture of scything and slicing motions, and at varying angles. Makes for a Zen moment every morning. Or a bloodbath. But it works, in theory.

AusTexShaver · 10-12-2008, 10:08 PM

In addition to the other great advice you have received I would suggest to experiment with using different parts of the blade on different parts of your face. For some reason it's easier for me to use the heel of the blade on my chin...I think it's a combination of perhaps the blade being a little sharper there, not flexing as much as the toe, and easier to maintain the proper angle.

hoglahoo · 10-12-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AusTexShaver

I think it's a combination of perhaps the blade being a little sharper there, not flexing as much as the toe, and easier to maintain the proper angle.

I think you're right about the extra stability near the heel and I guess it's due to less reaction torque against the pivot

Joed · 10-12-2008, 11:50 PM

Ahh, the chin. I bought stock in a styptic pencil company after my first few attempts. Now I just plow through it with WTG, XTG and ATG. KAren and my son like to watch me shave but when I get to my chin they get nervous and have to leave. Ever see the DOnald Duck cartoon where he is shaving with a chipped blade? Guess I remint them of that scene.

Seriously, sometimes I rest the side of my hand against my jaw bone to add stability and take short very strokes adjusting my hand position as I go along. Other times I just go at it and dam the torpedoes like Donald Duck.

Remember, practice make perfect and have a styptic handy.

zepplin · 10-13-2008, 03:00 PM

I use a DE on the chin for my 1st pass. In regard to "reduction of hair", it works great. This process makes the next two passes, with my straight, much easier.

* This works for me!

Regards

Salt · 10-14-2008, 11:33 AM

Thank you all for your help and insight! Time is teaching me that every shave is different and that mastery will be ever elusive (even if I don't particularly object to chasing that hare

). However, particular thanks to JimmyH-AD for his thumb-forefinger advise, as that has been a boon in achieving the proper skin tautness for a great shave.

AverageJoe · 10-14-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zepplin

I use a DE on the chin for my 1st pass. In regard to "reduction of hair", it works great. This process makes the next two passes, with my straight, much easier.

* This works for me!

Regards

Interesting----I guess I'm not the only one who has used a DE and a straight in the same shave!! Although it goes against the "purist" in me to use both in the same shave, why not I guess? I smooth wood using several different tools too!! Usually, though, I do try to stick to one or the other (in the same shave).

Bruce · 10-14-2008, 04:50 PM

Study, plan. stretch, und zen Norelco?

Fortunately I've got a boring chin; I just shave up, down, and from side to side and seem to easily get all the errant hairs.

canadajt · 10-17-2008, 01:23 PM

I agree and make sure to pull your skin tight go slow since you are new to it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynn

With the chin, it is best to experiment with what makes the different areas taut. The area under the lip will be different than the sides of the chin. The best way is to try very short and light strokes in the different areas until you find which cutting angles and stretches work best for you.

Hope this helps.

Good luck,

Lynn

JCitron · 10-17-2008, 03:24 PM

I came up with a sure fire way to handle the chin.

I grew a goatee.

Now every time I shave I geto ZERO irritation on my chin AND upper lip.

foranjeff · 10-18-2008, 03:35 PM

I had also chickened out by growing a goatee for a little while, but I quickly wised up. My goatee looked like something a cat would cough up. Anyways, I definitely like using the heel on my chin and resting my hand against my jaw. I like to think I have a steady hand but it's also nice to 'anchor' the blade for stability.

Cheers ears,

-J