Thread: Neck Irritation

Hey everyone,

So I've been shaving off and on with my straight razor for a couple of months now. Starting to get a little more confident with it now! I've had my share of nicks, cut and irritation but I'm still having at it. I've been reading SRP forum threads EVERYNIGHT now, looking for tips on stropping, honing, shaving and the like, so I figured it was time to join.

The last couple of nights I've had some irritation on my neck around my adam's apple. I tired to be REALLY light and gentle on it tonight, better than before, but still a bit of irritation. This was a spot that I had a lot of trouble adjusting to when I switched into safety razor shaving from "regular" Mach 3 razors. I did get the technique down after a while, but alas, I've been having the same trouble since I've made to switch to straights.

Anyone have any specific techniques for shaving this area irritation-free? Thank you!

Dave

Welcome Dave,

Good to have you on board. I don't really have anything to propose. I find that irritation is usually due to too much pressure, which can be from the razor not sharp and smooth enough, or not good enough preparation.
Could it be the direction of your beard there?

Gugi,

I think you've got a good point about beard growth there. The direction of the hair seems to grow almost completely outwards to the left and to the right around the adam's apple. I seemed to combat this by being REALLY gentle with my safety razor with a downwards pass, perhaps I just need to be a little more gentle with the straight too! Thanks for the reply,

Dave

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

Hey everyone,

So I've been shaving off and on with my straight razor for a couple of months now. Starting to get a little more confident with it now! I've had my share of nicks, cut and irritation but I'm still having at it. I've been reading SRP forum threads EVERYNIGHT now, looking for tips on stropping, honing, shaving and the like, so I figured it was time to join.

The last couple of nights I've had some irritation on my neck around my adam's apple. I tired to be REALLY light and gentle on it tonight, better than before, but still a bit of irritation. This was a spot that I had a lot of trouble adjusting to when I switched into safety razor shaving from "regular" Mach 3 razors. I did get the technique down after a while, but alas, I've been having the same trouble since I've made to switch to straights.

Anyone have any specific techniques for shaving this area irritation-free? Thank you!

Dave

Are you trying to shave your adams apple with the skin lying where it does normally? In other works stretching the skin vertically.

I find I can do a better job if I pull the skin off the adams apple and off the the side if that makes sense. In other words try pulling the skin horizontally and off to the side of the adams apple.

Originally Posted by AusTexShaver

Are you trying to shave your adams apple with the skin lying where it does normally? In other works stretching the skin vertically.

I find I can do a better job if I pull the skin off the adams apple and off the the side if that makes sense. In other words try pulling the skin horizontally and off to the side of the adams apple.

Well I've tried pulling the skin down and shaving, but that only makes the problem worse since I'm just pulling more skin over the bumpy area! Today I tried stretching the skin upwards by basically pointing my chin to the ceiling. So maybe I'll try moving it the to left/right next time, thanks for the advice!

To tell you the truth, I've been straight shaving years now and I have the same problem. I have a very prominent and sharp adams apple and I can do the sides but no way I can do the front. I use an electric trimmer for that.

I also find the bit around my adams apple to be rather sensitive. I usually only have one pass at it, even if I do two + touchups to the rest of my face. I go for the clean shaven look rather than the BBS feel.