Anyone else have problems with the neck?

I don't totally consider myself a newbie, but for the years I used a straight razor, I was never much of a perfectionist with smoothness. Now I'm trying harder to get that "perfect" shave, and it seems that I can get quite close almost everywhere...cheeks, chin, underchin, lip, jaw...everywhere except the neck.

The problem seems to be that from the middle, the hair grows at a low angle toward the outside and is pretty flexible. Such a low angle that the xtg passes (north and south) result in a very smooth feel when rubbed vertically, but a horizontal inspection reveals very noticeable stubble.

Much of this problem is compounded by the fact that these areas are mostly the hollows around my throat. Tight stretching and half-swallowing and a bit of a diagonal cut can get a little closer, but still not as close as a horizontal atg pass with a Mach 3.

Further, micro-folds and creases and some horizontal scarring that seems to limit the smoothness of any pass going N-S or S-N, even when the skin is stretched.

Thus the holy grail for me is some kind of technique that would allow me to get a horizontal pass. Under my chin this is possible, but on the neck, I haven't found a way without hitting my collar, chin, or chest with the tang.

Anyone else have similar problems? Anyone figure out a way to solve it without switching to a DE?

Addendum: I figure people will ask me what razor, etc. I'm using. Feather AC with Super Professional blades. Good amount of prep and lather with Colleen's soap.

Same here. I have used the point of my Genco or toe of my Wesbster to some sucess, but find it hard if not impossible to cut the area well. I find I'm almost singling each hair out to be cut there.

Yea, you 've done a great job of describing the reasons I have the same problem. :)

I have to go ATG, South to North to get a really close shave on the neck.

I know how you feel, im really thin and that area is very angular for me, it seems that ill never be able to get in there...A straight just seems to big to get in there, if anyone has good advice it would be greatly appreciated.

You've pretty much described my biggest problem.

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Originally Posted by Tierdaen

Thus the holy grail for me is some kind of technique that would allow me to get a horizontal pass. Under my chin this is possible, but on the neck, I haven't found a way without hitting my collar, chin, or chest with the tang.

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Same here. Most of the time, I just do oblique 45 degree downward passes from ear to the bottom of the adam's apple. I have been having more success in getting a more horizontal angle with certain razors, mostly those where the blade width tapers toward the tang, like some older sheffield razors and swedish framebacks, and those with thumbnotches.

Same here. I just cant get the blade in to where I need it to get all the stubble along the out side of my neck. I keep trying different angles, but I have yet to find one that works.

This (in the vernacular of the times)... aka ditto.

I have devised several ways of shaving E-W across my neck and am getting better and better shaves. If I only shave N-S and S-N, there's enough stubble leftover to hone a brick

I'm also a member of this club!:mad:

Damn neck skin is so light and delicate and all sorts of swoops and undulation from the trachea it always gives me a hard time. I end up with red spots on my neck, and still am not getting all of the stubble:thinking:.

My hope is to further refine my techniques and shaving strategies!

The funny thing is my wife tells me, "I really don't know why you make a fuss about it, it looks the same either way, and actually looks worse when irritated. And besides, nobody has any business touching your neck but me." ;)

Same issue here. I have a very angular frame, and I have a very hard time getting in the hollows either side of the trachea, or even just right under my jaw line. I'm using an old spike-point american "Celebrated Rifle Razor, Full Hollow Ground" that had the corner rounded off against a hone. It still has a pretty precise tip, but I just can't work it in there. Hadn't thought of the half-swallowing thing. That might work for me at least--I'll have to give it a go.