Impossible ATG area

I have only been SR shaving for a few weeks now,maybe a month.I shave daily,or occasionaly every other day.The hair on my neck grows from my adams apple upward to my ear lobes.I can find no what whatsoever to angle my blade/hand/body to acheive an ATG shave in this area.I need to shave from the ear lobe downhill to the center of my neck.Anyone else experience this,or have a resolution?It's getting old having these awesome,smooth shaves,yet i cant eliminate this one area of minor subble.Aaaaargh!!!

I can't offer much assistance, but I can tell you you're not alone. I have an area on the right side of my neck where it seems like the growth patterns cross, so it's very difficult to shave there. I end up having to clean that up with one of my DE's.

I have that same issue!!!! I've been trying to find a way with my finger but have yet to attempt with a razor since once the razor is in hand I find I can't do it!!

I have the same problem in the same area. Sorry... I clean up with a DE as well.

You might be able to make a cross grain pass if you can't do a full ATG pass. Also, if you just have a couple of problem areas a little blade buffing might do the trick.

If you are using lather for your clean up strokes try using a splash of water instead. Many guys (myself included) feel that they don't need the full cushion that comes with lather. The residual lather on you face and water provide just enough glide to finish the shave and get close enough for that BBS finish.

As you become more proficient with your straight razor you will find ways to either do the ATG pass everywhere or work around it with an alternate method.

Welcome to the club, sorry.
I too have a similar problem, my neck hair grows from my left to my right ear. To make things worse I keep a goatee so getting ATG stroke is so far, impossible. One trick I have picked up is to use the back of my fingers to 'fluff' the hairs against the grain and follow closely with the razor XTG to pick up some of the stragglers. If you can imagine the razor in my right hand under my neck, following my left hand which is rubbing my neck from the adams apple toward the left ear. I still can't get a true ATG stroke and since all my neck hair grows the same direction it doesn't work so well on the other side. In the end I've learned to live with good enough on my neck, pushing too hard just causes razor burn. And the goatee helps hide the fact that I can't get a 100% BBS. I know it's a heavy cross to bear... :shrug: :)

I have the same issue, getting into the "hollows" of my throat area (Hair grows towards the ears) I usually just clean it up with the DE after I shave (few swipes with the DE and it's smooth)

I'm glad I'm not alone. I started buffing and I can get some but is quicker with the DE. Also to much buffing gives me razor burn. Double O

these videos may help with your issues. Be careful though. This technique can be dangerous. http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...an-shaven.html hopefully this helps.

Great video, just wish I could see his "Scything" on the neck pass, that scares me :)

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Originally Posted by shinyribs

I have only been SR shaving for a few weeks now,maybe a month.I shave daily,or occasionaly every other day.The hair on my neck grows from my adams apple upward to my ear lobes.I can find no what whatsoever to angle my blade/hand/body to acheive an ATG shave in this area.I need to shave from the ear lobe downhill to the center of my neck.Anyone else experience this,or have a resolution?It's getting old having these awesome,smooth shaves,yet i cant eliminate this one area of minor subble.Aaaaargh!!!

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Funny, this is one of the reasons I switched BACK to wet shaving, having LESS of the same problem with a DE and it's GONE using a SR.

Only thing I can add that might possibly help is take your time. Shut out the distractions. Focus.

It's helping me, I think.

YMMV.

I think you are experiencing the "Learning Curve". Six months from now you'll have figured out ways to deal with these areas. It does take some time.

I have the same growth pattern. I stretch the skin above the jawline as much as possible to allow the stroke I need. Of course can't get all the stragglers but this & a properly sharp blade helps.

ATG is not really necessary, I do two passes only, one with the grain and one across, keeps me good all day.

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

ATG is not really necessary, I do two passes only, one with the grain and one across, keeps me good all day.

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Same here, except I go WTG/ATG on the neck.
I got one spot on each side of my neck where the hair grows in a almost circular pattern, I spent months trying to figure out how to deal with them, finally I tried scytching and problem was solved.

So is it just me or in Jockeys' video, which is VERY helpful and thanks for linking to it, is he kind of Reverse Scything on his Diagonal pass on what would be his left side? i.e using the heel and not the tow to do the scything motion

thanks

It almost looks like he's slicing diagonally..(Which IMHO is dangerous)

Wow!I never expected this many responses so fast.Thanks guys.And thanks Bulldog for the link.I tried scything(now i know what its called)a few times with limited success.Technique issues i suspect."Hollows" of the neck is the perfect name for this area BTW.I have an old W&B razor that i found at an antique mall,its basucally junk.I have considered gutting it down into a sort of a "spoon" shape so that i can get in to the "hollows".This 3" long sucka just wont fit.Thx again everyone.My baby doll likes me smooth,but as long as i aint bleeding im happy.We'll see what happens...

Well,I think i may have it now.

Thank you Bulldog for the link to Jockeys video
And
Thank you Jockeys for the video.And for giving me the confidence to try scything with the knowledge that it IS do-able without decapitating myself

I honed and stropped for maximum sharpness this morning and tried some very light scything with pretty good results.Not too aggresive as to create any burn.I gave it a go again this evening and ended up with the smoothest face I have ever had since ny facial hair started showing up.I haven't perfected it yet,by no stretch of the imagination,but there IS light at the end of the tunnel! Life is good!