New Guy with New Guy Troubles

**MelvinOfTheApes** · 06-18-2009, 05:05 AM

Hey folks, I have been shaving with my pseudo straight razor for a couple of weeks now, and I must say I love it. I say pseudo straight because I got a DOVO Shavette replaceable blade razor, so please feel free to toss any jokes about it my way! I got one of those to check out SR shaving before I spent the money to buy a good one and all the stuff to go with it...and my wife didn't have aheart attack at the cost of the Shavette. Anyway, my problem is that I can't seem to get a BBS shave on my neck. I use WTG and XTG on my cheeks and sides of my face and I get the closest shave ever. I can't really do XTG on my neck, so I tried ATG and it's kind of so-so. On my WTG pass, I use probably a 25 or 30 degree angle, and then I relather and use a 10-15 dgree angle on the ATG pass. Is this something that just takes more practice and time to master, or is there something else I could try. I stretch my skin by sticking out my jaw, but if I pull it real tight with my free hand, I get razor bumps and a lot of irritation. I use Stephans 320 aftershave and its really put a stop to any regular irritation I've had. Any suggestions for that better shave, besides ditching my Shavette and getting an honest to God straight? I'm hoping to get one for fathers day, but we'll see what happens. Thanks for your help!

**mbwhoosh** · 06-18-2009, 06:16 AM

Hey Melvin,

total n00b here (my first post in fact) and the experts should be here shortly to correct any missgiven info I provide. The way strectching the skin to shave was explained to me was that your hair grows at an angle \ when you stretch your skin your hair stands straight up l but if you overstretch your skin the hair angles the other way / and when you shave it and let go it lays not flat like it should _ but instead grows under ~ giving you ingrown hairs and bumps. In a nutshell I'm suggesting you may be overstretching the skin, Ive been told that the skin needs to be flat not tight if that helps at all. As far as xtg on the neck I have seen people do it but never with a shavette so I don't how it would work I'll let someone else fill that one.

here is a link to a youtube video about overstretched skin, the maker also has other helpful videos on lathering and such all very well done.
YouTube - Don't Over Stretch!

**MelvinOfTheApes** · 06-18-2009, 06:29 AM

Thanks whoosh. Honestly over stretching never occurred to me. I imagine that's very possible, and after watching some of the videos you put me on, maybe my lather as well. I am using Gillette ultra sensitive shaving gel, but I think I'll be getting the mug,soap, and brush set up next time I get into town. My shaves keep getting better, but the neck technique keeps eluding me. I'll give you an update when I give the new ideas a try. Thanks a bunch!

**mbwhoosh** · 06-18-2009, 07:47 AM

No problem. I'm still waiting for my razor to arrive and was gonna wait till I actually shaved to post anything but Ive been doing research to get ready and when I saw your post it just clicked. Hopefully everything will come soon

then we may shave and laugh and learn.........and probably bleed alittle along the way ;p

let me know how it goes

**BHChieftain** · 06-18-2009, 02:32 PM

I stretch my neck skin about as tight as can manage and have not had any ingrown hair issues, but I'm sure it depends on the person. One thing to check is to make sure you know which way your hair grows on your neck. For me, the upper neck hair grows down, the lower neck hair grows up. So I need to do my passes in two parts, changing directions at the midline. Inadvertently doing a first pass XTG or ATG will probably lead to irritation.

-Chief

**jbcohen** · 06-18-2009, 03:08 PM

Perhaps I am an oddball I don't seem to need to do any facial yoga. My carbon dovo does a great job without it.

**jcd** · 06-18-2009, 03:19 PM

I may be mistaken, but I think the "don't overstretch" advice from mantic59's video only applies to DE/cartridge shavers, since those tools are designed to stretch for you as you shave.

**ENUF2** · 06-18-2009, 08:14 PM

I'm pretty new at this myself and the neck area still gives me trouble. A sharp razor and knowing the direction of your hair growth goes a long way. I haven't gotten to a 3rd pass yet but skin stretching and ATG makes a difference for me.

**Slartibartfast** · 06-18-2009, 08:29 PM

See my sig.....

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**Del1r1um** · 06-18-2009, 08:36 PM

What are you doing for beard prep?

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