Thread: Shaving Across the Neck

Originally Posted by EdHutton

This guy is obviously skilled with a straight razor, but I am jealous. The passes he does on his neck (I mean the direction of the blade)? Those are all Across the Grain (XTG) for me.

The hair on my neck grows across my neck from trachea to ears, or parallel to the floor.

Best,

Ed

Ditto... that is XTG for me as well, as my neck grows east to west./ear to ear.

Note his neck technique? Dude has a 90 degree angle, dragging the blade across his neck!

Originally Posted by Neckbone

I'm trying the scything motion on my neck, but it feels like poking a Lion with a stick. If it doesn't go right, the clean up will be a mess. LOL

I know what you mean! Doing that has started my learning curve all over again... but I do seem to get a better shave when I do it.

I also suffer from the malady where my beard 'neath my jaw grows sideways towards my ear. I've only been using straights for about six months, but it's taken that long for me to figure out how to shave that area XTG. I was having the usual problems while shaving this morning, when I stumbled across a technique that seems to work for me. Maybe it'll help some of you as well. Here's what I did:

Using the ipsilateral hand, (right hand for the right side, and vice versa), I used an "upside down" (toe pointing down) grip. I was amazed that I could see what I was doing without any problem, whereas my hand was always in the way before! Today was the first time that I've managed to get a decent shave in that troublesome area, and I'm stoked!

I won't be at all surprised if the more experienced shavers are thinking, "well, duh", but that's OK if this helps anyone.

Originally Posted by Dzanda

I also suffer from the malady where my beard 'neath my jaw grows sideways towards my ear. I've only been using straights for about six months, but it's taken that long for me to figure out how to shave that area XTG. I was having the usual problems while shaving this morning, when I stumbled across a technique that seems to work for me. Maybe it'll help some of you as well. Here's what I did:

Using the ipsilateral hand, (right hand for the right side, and vice versa), I used an "upside down" (toe pointing down) grip. I was amazed that I could see what I was doing without any problem, whereas my hand was always in the way before! Today was the first time that I've managed to get a decent shave in that troublesome area, and I'm stoked!

I won't be at all surprised if the more experienced shavers are thinking, "well, duh", but that's OK if this helps anyone.

Another thing I've come to learn about this area, when I get a haircut, I will frequently make sure I can get a straight shave from my old Italian barber as well. Always a great learning experience, and he's old hat now with me bringing in one of my straights for him to use....it's funny to hear him comment on what I've brought him that day.

What I notice he does, in the entire area under the jawline, is actually use what I would describe as an enormous amount of pressure. When he does that area, he uses enough pressure that you want to straighten up like a board...he has never cut me, nor have I had any irritation there, and he pretty much get's it in one pass. He does one pass all over and then re-lathers and then takes his time cleaning up.

When I ask him about it, he says it's a tough area, and getting the blade hard against the skin is what you have to do! He doesn't know nor care to know things like ATG, WTG, XTG...he's in his 70's and he gives you a shave...he's good enough that he can tell from how my beard growth is what areas I do well and what I don't...

So now when I do that area, I know it's counter-intuitive to what we say here, but I increase the pressure, a lot, still takes me a WTG and an ATG in the area, still make sure the blade angle is very low, but at least the results I get now are more consistent...fascinating to listen to him and always a great learning experience.

Originally Posted by Dzanda

I also suffer from the malady where my beard 'neath my jaw grows sideways towards my ear. I've only been using straights for about six months, but it's taken that long for me to figure out how to shave that area XTG. I was having the usual problems while shaving this morning, when I stumbled across a technique that seems to work for me. Maybe it'll help some of you as well. Here's what I did:

Using the ipsilateral hand, (right hand for the right side, and vice versa), I used an "upside down" (toe pointing down) grip. I was amazed that I could see what I was doing without any problem, whereas my hand was always in the way before! Today was the first time that I've managed to get a decent shave in that troublesome area, and I'm stoked!

I won't be at all surprised if the more experienced shavers are thinking, "well, duh", but that's OK if this helps anyone.

Same technique I am using and the only thing that works for me too. I also add a good deal of skin stretching so I can go lower on my neck. I point my chin up and the blade is parallel to my trachea with the toe pointing towards the floor. I still need a little scything at the very bottom closer to my clavicles but with patience and smooth strokes it does work. Just about the hardest thing I learned to do with the SR, and I also call it a break through.

Great shaves ahead of you now!

Best,

Ed

Originally Posted by Phrank

Another thing I've come to learn about this area, when I get a haircut, I will frequently make sure I can get a straight shave from my old Italian barber as well. Always a great learning experience, and he's old hat now with me bringing in one of my straights for him to use....it's funny to hear him comment on what I've brought him that day.

What I notice he does, in the entire area under the jawline, is actually use what I would describe as an enormous amount of pressure. When he does that area, he uses enough pressure that you want to straighten up like a board...he has never cut me, nor have I had any irritation there, and he pretty much get's it in one pass. He does one pass all over and then re-lathers and then takes his time cleaning up.

When I ask him about it, he says it's a tough area, and getting the blade hard against the skin is what you have to do! He doesn't know nor care to know things like ATG, WTG, XTG...he's in his 70's and he gives you a shave...he's good enough that he can tell from how my beard growth is what areas I do well and what I don't...

So now when I do that area, I know it's counter-intuitive to what we say here, but I increase the pressure, a lot, still takes me a WTG and an ATG in the area, still make sure the blade angle is very low, but at least the results I get now are more consistent...fascinating to listen to him and always a great learning experience.

Interesting! I do notice that when I do my neck? Particularly ATG sideways on my neck, I have a very flat angle and more pressure than anywhere else on my face. I need a good bit of skin stretching to get the skin areas taught and more flat too.

Sure wish I had one tenth the experience of your old barber!

Best,

Ed