Thread: Neck XTG

Thanks for the tip, diagram and explanation! I'll definitely give that a try , but will probably wait until Saturday to attempt it, so as not to alarm the folks at work should things go amiss.

The one thing that really helps my neck is I stretch the skin really well. I put my empty hand around my neck like I am going to choke myself and pull down to my chest and get a good stretch. Seems to work well.

Thank you guys so much, this thread has really become a revelation! When I originally started this thread, I didn't think I'd have to stretch my mind clear back to Mr Roberts' ninth grade geometry class, but I'm glad I did. This information has been invaluble, and I think should be included in the wiki. I can't wait to give it a try.

Be careful with this to begin with. There are those here that would say these techniques are a great way to cut yourself. They are probably right if you are careless. I have been using them for months now and have never had so much as a nick from them, but my shaves have improved dramatically.

Just take it slow, and if you feel any tugging whatsoever, lift the blade from your face and start again. Don't lock your wrist and use no pressure.

Well, I tried both of these techniques under my jaw over the weekend, and got really good results. I realized that I've been using the guillotine stroke on my cheeks without realizing that that was what I was doing. It was a bit nerve-wracking as I got ready to take that first stroke under the jaw, but everything worked out fine. Thanks, Alembic!

One more quick reminder ... and I share it because I didn't run across it until I had been shaving a while. The XTG and ATG should be at a lesser angle than WTG. I first heard about the 30 degree angle for WTG, and that improved my results tremendously. So I tried using the 30 degree angle for XTG and ATG with not so good results. Later I found that the ATG should be at 5 degrees, and XTG somewhere in between ... WOW ... that sure improved things ... especially the ATG. I had gotten to the point that I dreaded the ATG, and now it all works fine.

Originally Posted by Durhampiper

Well, I tried both of these techniques under my jaw over the weekend, and got really good results. I realized that I've been using the guillotine stroke on my cheeks without realizing that that was what I was doing. It was a bit nerve-wracking as I got ready to take that first stroke under the jaw, but everything worked out fine. Thanks, Alembic!

Really glad it worked for you. This seems to be an invaluable technique to learn, but also one that people seem to come by naturally as they get comfortable with the razor as you already discovered.

Take care and let us know how it progresses.

David

Originally Posted by Tuxedo7

Later I found that the ATG should be at 5 degrees, and XTG somewhere in between ...

Yep, I had picked that up in the beginner's guide in the Wiki early on. When I go ATG, I have the spine on my skin, which I figure puts the blade at about 5 degrees. That's the one stroke with which I have not YET (knock on wood) nicked myself.

Originally Posted by Tuxedo7

One more quick reminder ... and I share it because I didn't run across it until I had been shaving a while. The XTG and ATG should be at a lesser angle than WTG. I first heard about the 30 degree angle for WTG, and that improved my results tremendously. So I tried using the 30 degree angle for XTG and ATG with not so good results. Later I found that the ATG should be at 5 degrees, and XTG somewhere in between ... WOW ... that sure improved things ... especially the ATG. I had gotten to the point that I dreaded the ATG, and now it all works fine.

Good call on the angles Tuxedo - that cannot be overemphasized enough!

Originally Posted by red96ta

It can be done but you have to be pretty comfortable with your technique. For the left side of the face, I place the blade just left of the midline and do my XTG from there to just under the ear. Ideally, you'll want to use a round point as I've discovered that any other point wants to dig into your neck just below the mandible.

Until you get comfortable doing this, you can do a cheater move by placing the toe of the razor just left of the chin and taking your stroke from there to the bottom of ear in a 45 degree sweep.

In this picture that razor motion is going to be WTG for my neck lol.