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Hi everyone, this may be a silly question, but my kneck hair grows sideways (away from the adams apple as it were.) I have manged to get a few decent shaves shaving against the grain, but it always feel awkward holding the razor like that. Could anyone share there technique and grasp so I can try a few alternatives and see what works for me.
Cheers
Dan
If you have a short thick neck like I do, blade length may be some of your problem to get at a better angle. On days when I'm going to wear a dress shirt I have a shorter razor on hand to do touch up work after my regular three pass. Neck stubble is murder on my shirt collars. Hope this helps.
I have a fairly long kneck bit and the wide side but not much really, the blade fits fairly comfortably on the kneck area, I think I am just holding the razor uncomfortably. I sort of hold the razor toe down and tang up
toe down and tang up...that is a little hard for me to visualize going E-W on a neck, so it must by my anatomy. If I had one pesky area on the neck it was between the centerline and one half of the hollow below the jaw on both sides. I found that area requires the most stretch and multiple angles of attack. I have wanted to do a toe down and tang up on the right side of my jawline but I had too many arms in the way.
that sounds like me but i manaGE it
Rather than going directly ATG, try going at an angle, so that if your hair grows E-W, try going from NW-SE and SW-NE. It's much easier that way.
ill give that a go on my next shave
Dan,
I have the same problem as you on the neck: my beard grows toward the ears. After trying many directions, and improvising a range of moves, the only way I can shave the stubble is to twist my hand to hold the razor vertically and then shave horizontally toward the throat. Even then, I can't shave the neck perfectly. Then again, I prefer comfort over perfect.
I found using a DE works best for me on half of my neck - only for the ATG pass....
i have gone as far to try a siving pass (cant spell it)
Your stressing on it too much ,, just relax and over time you will get better at it, your still new. And as Obie said, comfort over BBS, I shave everyday and only look for the perfect shave once a week, before church. This is supposed to be fun and relaxing, so relax. Tc
Actually think that is pretty common. I have the same issue and use a 4 pass shave. 2 With the Grain (WTG), 1 Against the Grain ATG and a water pass with a Scything stroke ATG for cleanup. Probably what you meant.
A scything stroke is where the razor is moved sideways about 45 degrees while moving forward up or down. Some use it WTG as well, common with a double edge razor. Just make sure you are making forward movement or you will cut yourself.
This gives a very close shave, that when I run my hand ATG, I feel no stubble.
To add a possible monkey wrench to the discussion: I have noticed that at the end of a shave I can often feel a little stubble in the 2 'problem' areas. Then, say 1/2 hour later I can feel the very same areas and they are as smooth as all get out. Cue the theremin...
Pores closing up maybe?
I only do against the grain for special occasions like parties. It would just be nice to be able to do it comfortably rather than feeling like my hand is in a really awkward position. I can actually get bbs but I only strive for that maybe once a month the rest of the month with the grain then across the grain and I am happy with that. It's smooth to look at and I get a comfortable shave.
For me, what works best on the neck is to stretch the skin from the adams apple to the side of the neck and then use a down stroke from the jaw line diagonally toward the middle of the neck. Usually a couple passes each side. Then using and up stroke, I work a couple strokes each side from the side of the neck diagonal to the middle of the jaw line or up to the base of the chin.
Have fun.
I position the razor at a 50-60 degree angle and do a NS pass. An extreme slicing pass. The use the heel of the razor to clean up around the Adam's apple and hollows around jaw and ear
thanks for the suggestions everyone, I have a few things here to try
I have a goose neck my son tells me :D but I do in fact have a slim long neck and my adams apple sticks out quite significantly so what I do on my adams apple area is toe of the razor up towards my chin and actually I don't go straight east or west I more go down at a slight angle. My neck hair grows away from the center much as I believe yours does and this works well for me. I have a 5/8 dovo and a 4/8 razor, another thing to try is favor the toe of the blade a bit and take smaller areas. I have tried a lot of different ways along my road to comfortable straight shaving and you will eventually find what works. I find toe up easier than what you have mentioned with tang up. Best of luck to you though, shave on Sir:D