Thread: How to go with the grain?

Since making a beard map, irritation has gone way down as I'm now shaving with the grain, but I'm wondering how to shave with the grain in areas (particularly on my neck) where the grain changes so often. I've read that I'm not alone with neck grain that changes direction a bunch of times and even swirls in areas. I notice I seem to get irritation where the grain changes the most drastically and I'm finding it difficult to go with the grain in these areas.

It may just be you are adding more pressure in those areas. Try to consciously lighten up a little. Many seem to add more pressure going against the grain as it feels natural to do so. I may but notice no difference with my tough old skin. :<0)

With WTG, you might have a 2 or more day growth to be certain. Simply use your 3 fingers, together to stroke and explore. As you find the hairs lay down smoothly and easily, this is WTG. Whether or not you intend to go ATG yet, explore that too. As you find resistance, you will be standing hairs up and will feel resistance. Compare the areas, WTG and ATG and determine the opposites. Some report a wide variance on several areas as well as difference on either side of the face. I do recommend to not be so concerned about a super-smooth shave on the neck, for reasons as you have implied. I don't ever get a complete BBS on the neck, and don't worry about it. As you learn to use a scything stroke, the neck will be a lot better served. YMMV

i just shave north to south regardless of the direction of grain, as soon as your angle and technique gets better im sure irritation wont be so much of a problem

Originally Posted by bombay

i just shave north to south regardless of the direction of grain, as soon as your angle and technique gets better im sure irritation wont be so much of a problem

Yes! When I started, I would get terrible irritation on the lower side of my right neck, no matter what I did it seemed. Started by easing way off in that area, to what felt like nothing, and soon enough it went away...doesn't happen at all anymore.

Also think it was that time honored aspect of the learning curve and patience, and what passes work for you. I'm down to essentially three strokes with two passes. One with the grain all over, one XTG on the cheeks, and one ATG on the neck area. Get's me a DFS every time in about 10 minutes. Now to go for the gold, the BBS shave, time goes way up, and for me, involves an ATG all over after WTG and XTG, plus paying a lot more attention and patience, but when I have the time, I also throw in the all the preps as well...that's my shave parade day, usually a weekend only affair!

Cheers!

Originally Posted by bombay

i just shave north to south regardless of the direction of grain, as soon as your angle and technique gets better im sure irritation wont be so much of a problem

Sounds like method shaving to me, hope you planed your quadrant right up to your buttress.

Seriously, I think everyone does it a bit differently, I do a slightly diagonal scything stroke which is loosely xtg.

Sorry I forgot to say, I also find a razor.with a slight smile makes neck shaving easier.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Sounds like method shaving to me, hope you planed your quadrant right up to your buttress.

Seriously, I think everyone does it a bit differently, I do a slightly diagonal scything stroke which is loosely xtg.

Doh! That's right! Thanks for reminding me Ed.

I'm also afraid of method shaving!!!

Originally Posted by Phrank

Doh! That's right! Thanks for reminding me Ed.

I'm also afraid of method shaving!!!

And shavette's, clowns, puppies, flowers......

Sorry couldn't resist

I lower the angle and use even lighter pressure when I get to my neck around the Adams apple.
This is one of the areas I aim for a DFS for daily shaving,
I can spend more time and get as close to BBS as I think that area will ever be which is close to BBS but it is not worth the time, effort, or risk of irritation.
Two pass One SW to NE and one NW to SE (more of the hair grows E-W so this gets a bit more of an aggressive attack /ATG type pass in this area.)