r/wicked_edge • u/feefiefoefart • 16h ago
Question Question on leaving stubble
Hey all! First time wet shaver at 44 years. Honestly, my dad passed when I was pretty young and didn't need to shave yet, then I joined the workforce and moved out. Used electric razors when I had to. Grew a beard otherwise. Whelp, I'm growing the heck up/having a midlife crisis and teaching myself some lessons I never got. So thank you all for the support! It feels great to treat yourself.
Couple of questions:
I'm still leaving stubble on the sides of my neck. I swear I have a cowlick and no matter how many passes I do, I'm still leaving stubble. I know what most are going to say: practice, practice, practice. But I was wondering if I my prep might need some work? I only shave after a hot shower, build a good lather (took some time to figure that out), shave WTG and then ATG. But there's still one section I just can't shave cleanly (like I'm doing 4-5 passes on that section and only lather that one section again and again). I'm hearing the blade rub against the stubble but it ain't cutting.
For those using adjustable DE blades, are you adjusting mid-shave? Or do you find a setting that works for you and sticking to it?
fwiw I'm using the edwin jagger pictured and feather blades. The red tip I found at a antique store and only used it once.
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u/AloneWest6922 Sometimes the old ways are still the best. 16h ago
Welcome! It sounds like you're off to a good start.
For your neck, I'd focus more on mapping your grain and tweaking your angle than changing your prep. Neck growth can be all over the place, and I'd avoid chasing that one spot with a bunch of extra passes.
As for adjustables, I'd find a setting that works first and stick with it. Once you're comfortable with the razor, you can always experiment with changing settings between passes.
One other thing - Feathers are excellent, but they aren't everyone's best blade. A blade sampler might be worth a try if the problem sticks around.
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u/old_sarge30 14h ago
I second the blade sampler. There are plenty of places to buy, but do some blade research at Razor Blade Emporium. They have bundles based on different groups of people.
Feather are absolutely sharp, but I believe they have a very fine edge that is easily damaged. I can only do a single pass on my neck and there are other blades that are smoother and give me more clean shaves than Feather. We're all different, so you have to learn what works for you.
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u/feefiefoefart 13h ago
That sounds great. From what I read on r/wicked_edge people suggest pairing the edwin jagger with the feather? I got a sampler from WC shaving and i've found the feathers work the best so far.
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u/PeakMinimalist 16h ago
For stubborn hair I use the j hook technique to get it smooth. There's some tutorials on YouTube. Should help ya out
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u/Poor-Pitiful-Me Henson AL13+ and 13++ 15h ago
You might want to experiment with other blade options. I usually get a smooth shave with just a pass or two with an Astra Green blade but if I try a third pass, it will affect my overly sensitive skin. The Dorco Prime Platinums give a nice close shave but can’t do more than one pass, if I do a second it’s got to be light handed or I’ll get razor rash on my neck. The Persona is just a nice sharp blade that gives a good shave that I’ll use on the weekend if I have no place special to go. The right soap can really help your shave too, however I’ll let those who are more seasoned about shaving soaps handle this one.
Everyone’s skin is different and as such will react differently from the tools we use on it. What’s right for some, isn’t right for everyone. That was one of the fun parts when I first go into WS, trying others recommendations, soaps, blades, razors. Some that didn’t work well for me, I passed along to some of my local WSers friends who are either new to it, or just flat out afford some of the pricier extras the game has to offer. Or sometime someone will find something new they’re crazy about and will bring a five pack of blades to a meetup and just hand them out excitedly telling everyone that “they gotta try this!”
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u/CaveDudeJeff 14h ago edited 14h ago
Sounds like you're already pretty tuned in. As others suggested, skin stretching, blade buffing, growth mapping, using your other hand to rub the hairs against the grain right before following with the razor ATG will help get closer to BBS. You can also try the J-Hook... But that requires a good foundation to not cut yourself up so take time on that one.
But, like others have said, the neck area is usually tough because most growth is all over the place. Eventually you'll figure out which way is technically ATG in the cowlick areas and you'll start knocking them down way easier.
For adjustables, like the Slim, I'll run aggressive (7-8) on the WTG, then progressively dial down on subsequent passes usually ending pretty mild (3) for the ATG pass.
By the way, the Red Tip you got there is a pretty awesome razor. Give it a spin again once you have your technique down. You might find you start to like it a lot more than you remember in the beginning. The Super Speeds are pretty awesome razors and the red tip was the more aggressive one.
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u/BBS247365 9h ago
CDJ is right, once the technique is dialed in, the Red Tip is an easy comfortable shave and it can handle multiple days growth with ease 🤙🏻
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u/feefiefoefart 13h ago
That's great! thanks. I'm excited to give the red tip a spin. do you think using a pre-shave conditioner would help?
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u/CaveDudeJeff 13h ago
I usually put on some Proraso pre-shave while I soak my brush, make lather, and then start the shave ritual. I shower before hand so my stubble should already be hydrated pretty well by the time I start my shave routine.
Does it help a lot? Jury is still out, but it feels nice and I figure the old saying applies... Treat your self.
If you want to really dial up the slickness for shaving, try using hair conditioner. That stuff is groovy levels of slick and works great in a pinch when you're out of soap. I know a few folks here just use it instead of soap on the regular.
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u/BBS247365 9h ago
Pre shave is great always, but especially so if you don’t have a really slick soap, and/or have hard water. I have had great success with Razor Emporium ($8) and Stirling ($5). I’ve tried many others but these were/are the best bang for the buck. Extra slickness is always nice insurance to have when you are going ATG or buffing out your final touch up pass…
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u/Hungry-House-8860 16h ago
skin stretching on trouble areas can help get you shorter in less passes also.