Thread: blade bouncing(chirping) when I shave against the grain on my neck, help!

When I shave down on my neck the blade seems to bounce and is not very comfortable. What would be the cause of this? I have 2 straight razors both honed by 2 different people I've seen mentioned as being good, so don't believe that is the issue.

any thoughts?

Matt

Many questions.
How long have you used a straight?
How experienced were the people that honed your razors?
Was your lather dry or wet?
Was your angle correct?
Do you strop properly after each shave?

The answer to these may help find an answer.

Adjust your angle of attack. On my neck the razor is very close to flat. Too low and it won’t grab the whiskers, to high and it starts to jump and bite, and I get some irritation.

Assuming you are on your second pass, ensure your lather is wet, skin is stretched, blade angle to neck is low, and very little pressure, just weight of the blade. Easier with a heavier razor granted...

You got some good answers and i will say to be sure your using a slick lather. Not all soaps are equal in slickness.
BTW, welcome to SRP. We will help you as much as possible to that comfortable shave. Reply with some answers to the questions asked. That will help us to help you.

Originally Posted by Gasman

You got some good answers and i will say to be sure your using a slick lather. Not all soaps are equal in slickness.
BTW, welcome to SRP. We will help you as much as possible to that comfortable shave. Reply with some answers to the questions asked. That will help us to help you.

^^^^ +1

This is very true, I've had terrible soaps that even wanted to skip with the grain. Also make sure there is enough water in the lather which will also aid in slickness

There is a fine line between perfet amount of water and too much water. Too much will make it skip too. It dont have enough slick. Its watered down. Now with a better quality soap, it can handle more water and the fine line is widened.

Yep...only three I can think of.

Lather
Angle
Honed properly

I guess you'd have to add proper stropping, its most important.

This happens to me, only if I use incorrect angle.

Angle is almost always my issue. My right side neck grows all crazy and tough. I have really focused on my angles and smaller strokes and it is ok. Whenever I get my blade too open it causes a similar issue. I also do a sything motion and it really gets these places well.

Lather and repeat.

I am gonna go with lather viscosity and angle for the win Peter(Hollywood squares reference)