Trouble with Neck Area!

Okay, so I have been shaving with a straight for the past two weeks. I have finally been able to get a comfortable shave on my entire face (minus the chin). I have had no problem switching hands and doing two passes WTG and XTG.

However, my problem arises when I try to shave my neck. The razor tugs, jumps and it is just really uncomfortable. So much so that I did not even attempt to finish after one small pass on my neck. I just finished my neck up with my fusion.

What could be causing the tugging, pulling and jumping on my neck? I know it isn't the blade as shaving my face is not comfortable and easy for me. Is it the angle? Am I not stretching my skin enough? :confused:

It'll more than likely be a technique issue. The angle on the neck changes all the time, so you have to watch for that, and skin stretching is really important here as well. Make sure you get the skin taut and that your lather hasnt dried out any before you tackle this area. I relather each are as I get to it, just to help with the glide.

Also, try mapping your beard growth to work out the best way to stretch the skin to get the hairs to stand up. Feel which way the hairs are growing and pull the skin the other way, making the hairs stand up.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stubear

Make sure you get the skin taut and that your lather hasnt dried out any before you tackle this area. I relather each are as I get to it, just to help with the glide.

---

Ahhh....I will definitely relather my neck next time. It did feel a little "dry." That could be part of the problem. So obvious, but thank you. I'm sure my technique on my neck is not great either, but this could help.

One thing that I do when shaving my neck is try to look up a bit so that the area under the chin around the adams apple is more of a flat area, it may work for you too. I still have trouble with the 90 degree curve of the chin as well, and the area right under the nose too.

Hello, Fbones:

The neck and the chin are especially a problem in the beginning. For many, the hair just under the jaw grows east-west or west-east. The chin's typography is complicated with many hills and valleys. All this means trouble. Time and experience will take care of this, though not completely for some of us, in which group I include myself. My neck is a maze of stubble.

Here are some suggestions for the neck area:

1. The tugging on the neck in all likelihood is caused by razor angle and stretching, since you say your razor is shave ready. I assume your preparation is quite good. Also, the stubble is probably multi-directional. The general rule for the razor angle is 30 degrees. General rule, mind you, because the angles can vary in different parts of your face. For now, do just a north to south pass on the neck until you really are fully comfortable holding the razor against the neck, and also until you learn the pattern in which the hairs grow. Stretch your skin in such a way that the action lifts the hair in the path of the razor. In parts, stretch the skin between thumb and forefinger. You need to play with skin-stretching in this area to help you guide the razor. Perhaps, too, flatten the razor angle a little more to make the razor less aggressive.

2. The chin requires a great deal of maneuvering and creative stretching, in addition to making faces at yourself. Stretch the chin between forefinger and the thumb; then in other creative ways. You'll get it.

3. Remember this important point: keep the pressure light by just relying on the weight of the razor.

4. Don't let all this discourage you. Time and practice will sharpen your skill.

Regards,
Obie

It's funny, but the hair on my neck actually grows north to south like the hair on my face. One direction. I was just staring in the mirror in my office at work analyzing my hair growth. Haha! :D I imagine I would have to figure out how to stretch the skin up to allow the hairs to "stand."

I will have to work on this and make sure to keep a good lather on my neck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fbones24

It's funny, but the hair on my neck actually grows north to south like the hair on my face. One direction. I was just staring in the mirror in my office at work analyzing my hair growth. Haha! :D I imagine I would have to figure out how to stretch the skin up to allow the hairs to "stand."

I will have to work on this and make sure to keep a good lather on my neck.

---

Hello, Fbones24:

I envy you for that single-direction hair growth on your neck. Mine is a stubble revolution, where every hair goes nuts.

Also, run your hand across your neck stretching with other hand. That might help you, too. You obviously are an analytical person, and that is a big help in straight razor shaving.

And yes, keep working on lathering-making skills. That preparation is important.

Well, sir, you are on a roll. Stay with it.

Regards,
Obie

Single direction growth is lucky. I would agree that it's your angle and the relather. Instead of doing a whole relather, just try dipping some water on your hand and rubbing that on the "dried" lather. That will make it ultra wet and super slick (as long as you started with a good lather to begin with). That's how I like to do my second pass; more watery than the first. Also, make sure you're not putting too much pressure since you have to attack the neck at a different angle than the face

One more quick question on this topic. :)

I tend to shave my face first, then go on to my neck. Does anyone actually shave their neck first when the razor is "fresher?" If not, does anyone think that by shaving my neck first, I might get a less irritating shave on my neck?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fbones24

One more quick question on this topic. :)

I tend to shave my face first, then go on to my neck. Does anyone actually shave their neck first when the razor is "fresher?" If not, does anyone think that by shaving my neck first, I might get a less irritating shave on my neck?

---

Hello, Fbones24:

Some shave their neck first and some don't. I always shave the cheeks first, then the neck and finally the mustache and chin areas.

The best thing for you is to try and see what works and what doesn't. Experiment and improvise. Your technique will evolve automatically through your approach and ultimately skill.

Regards,
Obie

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fbones24

One more quick question on this topic. :)

I tend to shave my face first, then go on to my neck. Does anyone actually shave their neck first when the razor is "fresher?" If not, does anyone think that by shaving my neck first, I might get a less irritating shave on my neck?

---

I use to have the same problems as u with your neck, however like Obie my neck hair grows north south and then east and west so its very tough to get it perfect. What i have been doing is doing my neck first as right when the blade is the sharpest, also i have a target electric kettle and i nearly boil some hot water(way hotter then tap but not scalding) and pour it in a little cup, and i dip the blade part only in the water and then do the neck along with other areas going with the hot knife through butter notion and it has been working great Hope this helps

Fbones24,

I have trouble with one area on the left side of my neck; the hair grows in all directions there, so no matter how I try, I cannot shave truly WTG on the first pass.

The blade almost always skips there, and the skin gets aggravated to some degree.

I have tried shaving this area first, and also leaving it until last so the whiskers get the fullest exposure to the water in the lather. I have not noticed that any of these ways is less bad than the other :)

In desperation I have been known to attack this area with a DE first to get the stubble down. This works, but I am not happy about it :(

Best of luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

i seem to have somewhat the same problem with my neck. I can not get it close. All the hairs on my neck are horizontal (my Left to Right). Is there a way to get a BBS on my neck? Im not skilled enough to use any of those fancy techniques... any suggestions?

Hello,....I'm new here and was reading the feed back on neck shaving.If I may....I have a col. conk #5o4B straight and I also have neck whiskers that go e/w instead of n/s . I always have to finish with my two track razor because I can never seem to get it bbs without it. I'm not sure if it's my technique or.. my blade is dull as heck or both . I thought I might go down to the barber (Floyds in Denver) I hear they to straight shaves.I thought If they can get my neck smooth then it's faulted somewhere on my part . I want to be able to make a full transition to straight blade one day,but this has been a frustrating issue with me. Any more feed back is welcome.

Update:

Okay, I shaved this morning and this time I relathered my neck area before attacking it...no pun intended. I will say it went better, but not great. The tugging, jumping and pulling were gone and the blade was able to glide better, but my neck still got very irritated and the hair simply wasn't being removed.

I am at the point where I can shave my entire face with the straight...minus the chin. This gives me encouragement, but my neck will be the death of me if this continues...haha!

Hello, Fbones24:

Have patience and keep working at it. The neck is difficult for many of us. You'll get there. No matter what, keep the pressure light in that neighborhood. Watch the angle, too. You're coming along.

Regards,
Obie

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fbones24

Update:

Okay, I shaved this morning and this time I relathered my neck area before attacking it...no pun intended. I will say it went better, but not great. The tugging, jumping and pulling were gone and the blade was able to glide better, but my neck still got very irritated and the hair simply wasn't being removed.

I am at the point where I can shave my entire face with the straight...minus the chin. This gives me encouragement, but my neck will be the death of me if this continues...haha!

---

Have you tried using the cold prep? I hear it will make the hairs stand up and keeps down the irritation.

You must use a scything motion on your neck to get good results, check it out in the Wiki, it's a great help. Also I can't get smooth on the hollow areas of my neck unless I do an ATG pass. While doing this I really have to stretch the skin tight and pull it so the hairs stand up higher. I also scoop slightly with the razor on the hollow spots of my neck, like when you shave your upper lip, but upside down. Hope this helps. :)

I have a problem area in the hollows on each side of my adams apple between it and my jaw bone. I can't seem to get it really smooth without pressure that results in razor burn. I'm going to try stretching the skin tighter as has been suggested. (i've been straight razor only for 5 months now). I've been hoping my skin would toughen up, but it has not.. "Good luck to us both??"

Kirk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by exarcher

I have a problem area in the hollows on each side of my adams apple between it and my jaw bone. I can't seem to get it really smooth without pressure that results in razor burn. I'm going to try stretching the skin tighter as has been suggested. (i've been straight razor only for 5 months now). I've been hoping my skin would toughen up, but it has not.. "Good luck to us both??"

Kirk

---

When shaving your jawline, do you stretch your skin on the cheeks so the skin below the jaw is now on the side of your face? Try that, and use a stroke that's from your ear to your chin.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheDorn

Have you tried using the cold prep? I hear it will make the hairs stand up and keeps down the irritation.

---

I did try this actually last week and did not like the results. It could still be my technique because I'm new, but I noticed the blade jumping a lot more. Even on my face where I have not had any problems at all. I will probably revisit this at some point, but for now, I am going to try stretching the skin more.

I am not ready to brave an ATG pass because the WTG is causing so much irritation. I am not so worried about the hair removal because that will come, but the irritation is disheartening.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fbones24

I did try this actually last week and did not like the results. It could still be my technique because I'm new, but I noticed the blade jumping a lot more. Even on my face where I have not had any problems at all. I will probably revisit this at some point, but for now, I am going to try stretching the skin more.

I am not ready to brave an ATG pass because the WTG is causing so much irritation. I am not so worried about the hair removal because that will come, but the irritation is disheartening.

---

That seems like a pressure issue to me.

Reading all these posts, it's helpful to know I'm not alone in this difficulty. I've been shaving with a straight for a little over a month now and my neck is the toughest spot (though I haven't braved my moustache area yet). Each side of my adam's apple area are the hardest because my hairs grow mostly east/west and west/east. I keep trying different ways of stretching, different angles, etc. Still no luck, but I'll keep trying different things. I also use a cartridge to clean up my neck. I'm just learning ATG on my face so I still tend to use the cartridge on that for now, but I can see progress to where that won't be necessary soon. It's just this darned neck area that will make me have to keep buying cartridges for a while.

-Stub

:beer2: