Sideways neck hair problems

I'm having difficulty getting my neck, which mostly has sideways growing hairs, to a "stubble-free" result without a lot of passes (and resulting irritation).

Stretching the skin in the valleys along the trachea to either side so it was on a flat area, and then shaving with downward passes, followed by upward passes required 5-8 total passes to get rid of the stubble. (I'm sure the razor is sharp, and it shaves great everywhere else).

My neck hairs grow from the left towards the right, so I can pull the skin to the left, and shave the left-side trachea & trachea valley with my right hand using diagonally sideways strokes - and get smooth results in 2-3 total passes and no irritation.

On the right side of my neck, I still need to pull the skin to the left to get the hairs to stand up - but I can't figure out a way to shave diagonally sideways afterwards. If I stretch the skin with my right hand, the right thumb and wrist are in the way when I try to shave (plus I have to stretch a lot to reach that far accross with my right hand). If I stretch the neck skin with my left hand, I can't figure out a way to hold the razor with my right hand. Hinging the handle so that it was in-line with the blade would work - if my collarbone & upper chest weren't in the way. Hinging the handle open 135 degrees and only holding the handle would work, but then I'd be relying on the pivot being really really tight, because I'd have no fingers on the blade. Doesn't seem like a good idea...

Is there a solution I'm missing ?

Thanks.

Try swinging the scales all the way around so they rest on the spine and hold the tang. This is the closest I can get to a "handle-less" razor, and sometimes I use it. It's in the wiki - No. 9, IIRC. (too lazy to look.)

Nope - more like No. 7. Except the edge would be in whatever you decide.

Have you tried using nothing more than head turning and head lifting motions to stretch your skin and flatten out the hollow areas?

Your skin needs to be stretched - but not so tight that you can bounce a quarter off of it.

I was in the same boat you are: sideways growing neck hair on a muscular neck (e.g. hollows to each side of the Adam's apple as well as just below the back half of the jaw-bone... not to mention course hair and sensitive skin which complicated things even more).

As the weeks went by and I gained more experience though, I eventually found I didn't really need to use my hands to stretch my neck -- simply lifting and turning my head certain ways stretched the skin and flattened the depressions enough for the razor to make consistent contact without me sticking my free hand in the way - making it much easier for my razor hand to get in at whatever angle it needs to.

Will probably take a bit of practice but maybe it'll work for you too.

Oh, and if your hairs aren't standing up straight then try using cool water rather than hot (will tighten the pores bringing the hairs to attention) as well as leaving the lather on your face a little longer before you start to shave - it'll give the alkalies in the soap/cream time to neutralize the hair oils and render the hair stiff, brittle, and easier to cut.

Of course, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another and YMMV... On the other hand, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

In any case, keep trying and practicing - it may take a little time but you WILL find the solution that works for you.

I have neck hairs growing in all different directions, so it it takes three passes to get them BBS. Somtimes, I can get it done in two passes if I use a combined 2nd pass, but this is agressive for me and results in a few more cuts and/or weepers depending on what razor I am using that day.

The Wiki has some good recommendations. Near the adams apple is my greatest challenge and technique and light touch always prevails over pressure. Some small areas will get shaved very, very well, but perhaps not as BBS as other areas of the face. Forcing the shave ATG on this area tends to lead to problems.

Sything Motion, the optimal angles of attack, and the pitch of the razor all play into it. Jockey has a good video on Youtube going over this, but keep in mind that everyone is a little different in their technique.

Keep up the good work because the effort does pay off.

Pabster