Thread: Need some advanced shaving technique advice.

My hair grows in odd patterns/directions, there is no consistent up and down over my face.

On both sides of the adam's apple, in the depression where the jugular is, the hair grows sideways, i.e., pointing towards my ears. I'd like to hit it with an ATG stroke, but I can't figure out how. No matter how I move my head or stretch the skin, I can't get the blade in there.

Attached is a depiction, feel free to compliment me on my fine artwork. You may print this out and hang it in your living rooms if you so choose.

Sorry I can't be of much help but I do love your artwork. As far as shaving all I can suggest is possibly changing your grip on the razor? I have no particular experience with your problem but I can say that by holding the razor in different grips I can reach places with strokes I wouldn't be able to otherwise, experiment and hopefully you'll find something that works for you.

SRP member video here which may be helpful:

YouTube - ‪jockeys41's Channel‬‏

He covers some "advanced" neck shaving techniques that I found helpful as my neck hair also grows sideways/in swirls. I also like to make a pass that starts at the bottom of my neck moving the blade upward, but I pivot the heel of the blade as it goes, so the tip of the blade moves in an almost circular motion. Lather is important here, as you'll want a really really slick surface to work with.

I have the same problem and have learned to just let it go. I do that area both WTG and ATG. In this case, technically, because of hair growth direction, it is not really ATG. In that area I just shave it downwards and upwards and don't pay attention to any stragglers.

Originally Posted by zappbrannigan

SRP member video here which may be helpful:

YouTube - ‪jockeys41's Channel‬‏

He covers some "advanced" neck shaving techniques that I found helpful as my neck hair also grows sideways/in swirls. I also like to make a pass that starts at the bottom of my neck moving the blade upward, but I pivot the heel of the blade as it goes, so the tip of the blade moves in an almost circular motion. Lather is important here, as you'll want a really really slick surface to work with.

That's exactly what I needed! Thanks

yaaarrr. be careful.. personally I would be like ace and just stick with the safe part.. but then again there are guys on here that can shave over a mole under the right nostril backwards with a 9/8 wedge and get a bbs in the first swipe.. so it is possible..

Originally Posted by zappbrannigan

SRP member video here which may be helpful:

YouTube - ‪jockeys41's Channel‬‏

He covers some "advanced" neck shaving techniques that I found helpful as my neck hair also grows sideways/in swirls. I also like to make a pass that starts at the bottom of my neck moving the blade upward, but I pivot the heel of the blade as it goes, so the tip of the blade moves in an almost circular motion. Lather is important here, as you'll want a really really slick surface to work with.

I find it interesting that, in this video, jockeys, seems to be using the blade at almost 90 degrees to his face.
It may be a 'trick' of the video but that's how it looks to me.

Haven't seen the video, but what i do is with the grain straight down under the chin over the adams apple. I then go side ways from this out along the jaw line using the cetral strip to get a purchase on skin for stretching. Short strokes with the blade held diagonally to the direction of stroke, usuallwith the front half of the razor. then the same again working down the cetral sttrip until that side of my neck is done

Same problem here. After two months of straight shaving, this is what I do this:

- Two full passes WTG. Always.
- One or two passes XTG, i.e. 1st north-to-south, 2nd optional south-to-north
- One pass ATG:

I pretty much strangle myself (grip wise, I'm not THAT masochistic) and depending on the side I'm shaving, pull the skin down and slightly in the opposite direction of the hair growth. I also tilt my head in that direction for extra skin tension (NOTE: this requires an ultra-light blade draw and a low angle). I draw the blade dead straight ATG as far as possible, then I either use a scything motion or even a very VERY careful toe-first (IF you do this, make the draw straight, if you don't, well, see the third picture). For the right side of my adam's apple my grip changes quite radically, meaning I hold it pretty much the same when make the back draw when stropping.

NOTE #2: I noticed, especially in the beginning, that this move must be avoided as much as possible :P and thus, do not repeat it. Chances of cutting yourself or severe razor burn are extremely high. If you don't get it smooth after four passes, let it be. Your technique will improve and accepting that you can't get BBS everytime will definately help with a more complicated growth pattern such as this.

Especially in trhe beginning this acceptance is vital, otherwise you'll constantly be setting a razor burn bevel (RBB from this day forth) in your neck. This will mean you won't be able to shave for at least three days (IMAGINE THE HORROR!!). Been there, done that. I guess it's part of the learning curve.

That area can be a bit tough to master.
My whisker growth is similar to that of the drawing, and I have a couple ways to handle that.
I can either come slightly from above or slightly from underneath using a Guillotine stroke or Scything stroke.
At the same time I raise my chin so much that I am actually looking at the ceiling.
Stretching is also important in this kind of maneuvers. Either in front of or behind the razor, depending on what stroke and areas are to be shaven.

You can read about the advanced strokes in the wiki here. Proceed with caution. This will bite you if you are not very careful!