Just cecking in, saying hey and I have a question : )

So I have not been doing so bad at shaving with my straight aside from a decent nick in my left cheek which was my fault I still get a bit turned around switching hands and just basically touched the blade right square into my cheek. I know silly but hey learning curve and I aint quitting that easy. So now comes my question, at first I had razor burn all over, now I just get it on my neck on both sides of my adams apple. Seems like no matter what I have tried so far I can not get around it. I have actually went back to my shavette due to the irritation. I am guessing its an angle issue but any advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance take care all

Yes. it could be angle and may be too much pressure too.

Bob

I honestly never thought about pressure I know I seem to take it easier with the shavette for whatever reason so I will give less pressure a shot. Thanks very much

You could try a scything stroke or a guillotine stroke as well. I still get tender patches on my neck now if I am too reckless.

I am not familiar with those stroke I will have to check that out and possibly give that a go thanks for the advice

I know when I started I used to dig in to the hollows. Something else you may be doing to avoid

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Originally Posted by eddy79

I know when I started I used to dig in to the hollows. Something else you may be doing to avoid

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With square points I find I have to use the heel of the razor to shave my hollows as the toe scratches and scrapes if used.

Is this what you are referring to?

It seems that the razor burn that I got when I started was from angle, pressure and also just my face needing to get used to the straight. Seems that I now can use to much angle or too much pressure and not get razor burn. Or perhaps, I am just aware when I do now.

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Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

With square points I find I have to use the heel of the razor to shave my hollows as the toe scratches and scrapes if used.

Is this what you are referring to?

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I mainly use round toe as I have deep hollows at the base of my neck and using a square tip is very slow as I need to use the tip as its a hollow in a curve.

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Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

I am not familiar with those stroke I will have to check that out and possibly give that a go thanks for the advice

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There used to be a link in the FAQ or wiki about scything or guillotine strokes. It seems like its gone now, which is too bad. Make no mistake - the noob isn't the best candidate for the stroke, but what about everyone else learning?

Both strokes involve orienting the cutting edge at an angle to the direction of the stroke. 45 deg or more is common. If it sounds like it would be easy to turn into a surgeon - bravo - you're paying attention. Maybe that's why the link is gone?

The only difference between the strokes is that the direction of the stroke either stays straight, or forms an arc - hence the names guillotine & scything.

In terms of the razor burn - they guys talking about pressure are telling you right. Its easy to substitute pressure when your stretch & stroke is unable to make the stubble stand up for mowing. Everyone has their difficult sections & pressure seems to be the first method we reach for - to our red-faced detriment. (Yes, you bet I did too) The solution to the trouble spots is usually found in exploring & identifying any different - even bizarre method or direction to stretch the skin to make the stubble stand up properly. Like everyone - we think a razor is a tool (of course it is). We're used to taking tool in hand, applying force in some manner - to accomplish work. With the shave - its more a job of making the stubble available to the tool (by some manner of stretching skin), rather than chasing the stubble w/ more vigorous application of the razor. I got hooked early on w/ the heavy grind razors 'cause they tolerate pressure better than the extra hollow. I still love my heavy grinds, but the work just fine when used correctly (no pressure).

'Time to go shower & mow. Have some fun, EJ.

The pressure advice is right on that is the most likely issue. Second is since it is a trouble spot you go over it many more times a shave then anywhere else. That will cause that burn.

Lastly take a couple days off shaving all together if you can. If your face isn't healing in between shaves the burn is still going to show up even if your technique is improving.

I have a round point the cut I was referring to was going straight into my cheek by accident. I was mostly asking about razor burn on my neck. I appreciate the advice though.

Thanks very much for the information and advice, I tried less pressure and also made myself more conscience about the angle of attack and this last shave went way better. I found myself falling back to the same angle I used with my shavette so after closing that angle a bit and letting the razor work for me things went much smoother. Thanks again fellas : D

Often I think hair on the neck can lay at varying angles. Initially, a beginner may not recognise this and so resort to increasing the pressure to shave the area and this can cause razor burn.

Check the angle your hair grows at; you may need to go without shaving a few days to be able to see this.
You may need a second pass on the neck to get it really smooth due to the hollows, direction of hair (esp if it's growing across your neck). For the second pass weaken the lather with a little water. I think a buffing stroke works very well here; very short, light strokes repeated rapidly.