Prone to cuts

solid bar : ride the cap, open comb : ride the guard.
^^ I will remember this

I think it's very possible that it's angle, as I achieve a good shave everywhere else, just not on each side under my bottom lip.

I've also never used an open DE razor before. I've only used the EJ since I moved to DE shaving, hadn't considered a different razor. I do like the look of the Piccolo though and it's pretty cheap. So I'll give it a go!
 
Thanks all!

I do stretch the skin and I have mapped out my hair growth. My neck hair seems like it almost grows in circles! haha

I have never tried two WTG passes before though. So that's definitely something I'll try! Would I then do XTG and ATG as normal? Or would 4 passes likely turn my face to a raspberry? :mad::D

I would actually look to reducing the number of passes down to 2 as it reduces the risk of cuts and irritation etc. One WTG and the other a mixture customised to specific areas of your face.
 
Listen to all of the wonderful technique advice above, but don't fall into the trap of "maybe I'm using a bad blade". Or razor for that matter.

Blades make such minimal difference it won't be that. They all work roughly the same. If you've tried 3 and had the same problem with all, it's not a duff brand of blades.

Some excellent advice on skin stretching, lather technique, hair mapping and no. of passes. They'll sort it out for you.
 
I cannot believe how many great responses this received. Thanks to everyone.

I had some Crew pre shave oil that I never got on with, so I used that prior to a hot towel. I then carried out my prep as usual but performed 2 WTG passes and 1 XTG pass. No nicks or irritation under my lip! I didn't have time to do a ATG unfortunately.

I've also bought myself a Fatip Piccolo so hopefully using that WTG will remove the need for 2 WTG passes.

My upper lip only ever gets one WTG pass which seems to work fine. XTG or ATG on this part of my face is just asking for trouble.
^ I can now do WTG and XTG on my neck and its (usually) trouble free. I can't go ATG on my neck though.
 
Let us know what you think of your foray into open combs. I only tried one for the first time a few weeks ago and it was an eye opener for me, coming from DE89 like yourself. I bought an OC and have used it every shave ((that's) every other day) since. I seem to have less irritation with it.

I find the WTG & XTG passes take off more than a mild closed bar razor does. At this point you have a few options. What you've done might already be enough, you can do an opposite direction XTG, some basic touch ups / buffing etc, or a partial or full ATG.

On blades, of the three you've tried, Derby to Feather is one extreme to the other. Astra SP divides opinion, of course it's only what YOU think of it that matters, but it never worked great for me. There are a lot of good blades beyond these 3 so I think you'll find one you like amongst the ones you've ordered. When you've given them all a good go, there are still other good blades to try. Good luck!
 
Let us know what you think of your foray into open combs. I only tried one for the first time a few weeks ago and it was an eye opener for me, coming from DE89 like yourself. I bought an OC and have used it every shave ((that's) every other day) since. I seem to have less irritation with it.

I find the WTG & XTG passes take off more than a mild closed bar razor does. At this point you have a few options. What you've done might already be enough, you can do an opposite direction XTG, some basic touch ups / buffing etc, or a partial or full ATG.

On blades, of the three you've tried, Derby to Feather is one extreme to the other. Astra SP divides opinion, of course it's only what YOU think of it that matters, but it never worked great for me. There are a lot of good blades beyond these 3 so I think you'll find one you like amongst the ones you've ordered. When you've given them all a good go, there are still other good blades to try. Good luck!


I had a missed delivery slip through the door yesterday, so I'll be collecting the fatip after work today.

Last night however I had without a doubt the closest shave I've ever had. My first time using a Voskhod blade. To me it felt more prominent/sharp on the skin than a feather, but it hasn't irritated me like a feather does. My face is STILL BBS from 9pm last night. It does feel a bit sensitive today though, so I doubt I'll try out the fatip tonight, but I'll let you now how I get on :)
 
I had a missed delivery slip through the door yesterday, so I'll be collecting the fatip after work today.

Last night however I had without a doubt the closest shave I've ever had. My first time using a Voskhod blade. To me it felt more prominent/sharp on the skin than a feather, but it hasn't irritated me like a feather does. My face is STILL BBS from 9pm last night. It does feel a bit sensitive today though, so I doubt I'll try out the fatip tonight, but I'll let you now how I get on :)

I would advise not shaving for a couple of days to give the FatIp something to go at.
You'll see what I mean when you use it for the first time.
 
I would advise not shaving for a couple of days to give the FatIp something to go at.
You'll see what I mean when you use it for the first time.

My thoughts exactly. Last night was also the first time I've carried out an ATG pass on my neck in over 2 years as well (bad history of ingrown hairs) so I will take it easy until Sunday night :).

Off subject but looks like you've got some proper ink going on there mate! Looks wicked
 
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Listen to all of the wonderful technique advice above, but don't fall into the trap of "maybe I'm using a bad blade". Or razor for that matter.

Blades make such minimal difference it won't be that.

I have to disagree with that.

I can't use Wilkinson sword blades at all. They cut me to pieces. However, I love Personna Blues. they really suit my skin. YMMV

As to advice to the OP

Don't get caught up in the "More expensive = better" nonsense spouted in forums,

My most exensive soap (DR Harris) causes me to have the horrors. I can't use it without it causing blade rash. My cheapest soap (a tube of Arco) is an utter dream to use and works utterly fantastic.
My most expensive razor (Vintage gillette) doesn't suit me and i get nicks. My cheapest razor (Yuma) suits me wonderfully and is a dream to use

Don't use thick lather. Make it thin. Lather is there to hydrate the hair and lube the razor, anything else is just trying to make amends for poor technique. All soaps are not the same (Well, the good ones are good and the bad ones are bad tbh).

Try some different blades. Blades make the shave. (Astras cut me up as well). Don't try to stretch the life of the blade. Use more than once (some blades get better) but not more than 3-4 times.

Prep: Use proper bar soap (not dove ffs) to clean your face before lathering. Try your stubble before and after a soap wash, you will be amazed.

Map your hair. 1st pass: with 2nd pass: Across 3rd pass against. In reality, whilst its just up-down-across on the 3 passes, you need to not be going against the grain on the 1st pass if you can help it. The real benefits of grain mapping are on your touch ups and allow you to really focus on the final shave pass without overdoing the strokes of the razor. remember it is about reduction, not immediate removal.

rinse after every pass.

Use a good post shave routine.



The biggest effect on myself with regards to not cutting myself was changing my razor to a lightweight razor. I find heavy razors lack decent feedback and i end up over/under shaving.
 
Don't use thick lather. Make it thin. Lather is there to hydrate the hair and lube the razor, anything else is just trying to make amends for poor technique. All soaps are not the same (Well, the good ones are good and the bad ones are bad tbh).

Not true imho

The word 'poor' as in 'poor technique' can easily be substituted for 'developing'. Why shouldn't new shavers have a helping hand?

Also a lot of folks, me included, like a nice yoghurt like lather, with both cushion and glide in balance. Covering up poor technique? No, it's called enjoying shaving.
 
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