Thread: quick question

I'm fairly new to straight shaving and i am running into a little problem. on the center of my neck, my hair grows pretty much straight sideways ( if you drew a line out from them it would end under my ears, close to my shoulders) my problem is trying to go against the grain on this section as i really cant seem to fit the razor vertical against under my chin that way. does anybody have any suggestions on this? please let me know as it would be very helpful. other than that i love straight shaving, and this site is awesome. Thanks!

My advise would be to not worry about going against the grain. Just do the WTG and XTG passes. They will get you a nice close shave. If one XTG shave does not do it, do a second.

I'm having a bit of trouble picturing exactly what you're trying to reach... but I think Steve's advice is good.

We all have areas where a third pass (or any pass for that matter) is tricky. Don't worry too much about the technicalities of getting a third ATG pass on every part of your face. Just try for a nice, smooth shave.

I only do a third, ATG pass on the parts of my face that are most important and relatively easy. Cheeks, and sideburns, for example. For the tricky areas, I just do another XTG or even WTG pass. Or no third pass at all.

I have the same problem: neck hair grows horizontally. To go ATG, I tilt my head all the way back, hold the razor properly (i.e. not like a knife, but with ring finger on the tail), and I hold the blade at a 45 degree angle to vertical, so that it will fit. A bit of a pain but it can be done.

Something that helps me is the sideways neck stretch. Doesn't get me BBS yet but is a good addition to the downwards neck stretch.

Max

I have neck hair that grows similarly, what I do is actually present the blade at a diagonal and make short strokes, as opposed to presenting the blade to the whiskers perpendicularly. It works for me.

I also tend to look up and work a bit by feel, which, as you've probably figured already even this early in the game, is a lot easier than one would think.
It makes the angles much easier for me at any rate.

John P.