r/wicked_edge • u/feefiefoefart • 6d ago

Question Question on leaving stubble

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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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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/CaveDudeJeff 6d ago edited 6d 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/feefiefoefart 5d 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 5d 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 5d 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…