Thread: How to get the throat between Jaw Bone hair.

Hello Everyone,

1st of all this is my first posted thread on straight razor place so be gentle lol.
Any ideas on getting all the hair between the chin bone and neck without opening up the main vein. I can go with the grain and against the grain hower I still have the hair growing in the other direction, and it is pretty long and can't be ignored. Just a bit of information I have been using a straight razor for about a year and half roughly Trilluim LT dragged me into it and I have been hooked ever since. Any way if you need more detail let me know. Thanks for any help. Martin (AKA straightshooter007)

I don't know if this is gonna help at all, but I hope so. I use the heel of the blade to get the spot. If I'm understanding you correctly. I can get it with a slight ( from center towards clavicle) sideways scything stroke. Sorry if it didn't help. It's the best I got.

Originally Posted by straightshooter007

Hello Everyone,

1st of all this is my first posted thread on straight razor place so be gentle lol.
Any ideas on getting all the hair between the chin bone and neck without opening up the main vein. I can go with the grain and against the grain hower I still have the hair growing in the other direction, and it is pretty long and can't be ignored. Just a bit of information I have been using a straight razor for about a year and half roughly Trilluim LT dragged me into it and I have been hooked ever since. Any way if you need more detail let me know. Thanks for any help. Martin (AKA straightshooter007)

Since all faces are different this may or may not help.

Shave one pass in a systematic way and almost ignore the grain.
Once after all the lather has been wiped away feel for
patches to touch up... With the lather gone it is almost easy
to stretch the patches up/down/left/right so you can shave
it. Next apply one more layer of lather and again shave
in a systematic way with a light touch listening and feeling
for stubble as you shave.

If you have a hot date grab a tossable or a DE razor and
tidy up... Some patches are just difficult ... but not as
difficult as finding a social reason for a good shave.

One trick is to think 10:30 and 2:30 as you shave i.e. almost
with the grain. One pass is almost WTG at 10:30 and the second pass
is again almost WTG but from the 2:30 side of the clock ... For me this
catches a lot of whiskers as they dive into swirls and eddies constantly
changing direction.

If I map my whiskers it looks like a Van Gogh Starry Night painting.
The notion of WTG, ATG, XTG are silly in some patches.

Originally Posted by regularjoe

I don't know if this is gonna help at all, but I hope so. I use the heel of the blade to get the spot. If I'm understanding you correctly. I can get it with a slight ( from center towards clavicle) sideways scything stroke. Sorry if it didn't help. It's the best I got.

This helped by letting me know I was on the right track, thanks for your help.
Martin

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Since all faces are different this may or may not help.

Shave one pass in a systematic way and almost ignore the grain.
Once after all the lather has been wiped away feel for
patches to touch up... With the lather gone it is almost easy
to stretch the patches up/down/left/right so you can shave
it. Next apply one more layer of lather and again shave
in a systematic way with a light touch listening and feeling
for stubble as you shave.

If you have a hot date grab a tossable or a DE razor and
tidy up... Some patches are just difficult ... but not as
difficult as finding a social reason for a good shave.

One trick is to think 10:30 and 2:30 as you shave i.e. almost
with the grain. One pass is almost WTG at 10:30 and the second pass
is again almost WTG but from the 2:30 side of the clock ... For me this
catches a lot of whiskers as they dive into swirls and eddies constantly
changing direction.

If I map my whiskers it looks like a Van Gogh Starry Night painting.
The notion of WTG, ATG, XTG are silly in some patches.

Niftyshaving thanks for the advice I like the part about
"If I map my whiskers it looks like a Van Gogh Starry Night painting."
This is so true. I will give your suggestions a try. It is better to ask then get more frustrated, or nick yourself doing something silly.
Thanks again for the advice.

I have this same question...I can get a passable shave now EVERYWHERE except for the hair on my neck under the jawbone. Hair goes horizontally, and I can't figure out how to go with the grain or ATG. I can do XTG at a couple different angles, but it still leaves some noticeable patches that bug the heck out of me and make me have to whip out the mach.

Originally Posted by geauxtig3rs

I have this same question...I can get a passable shave now EVERYWHERE except for the hair on my neck under the jawbone. Hair goes horizontally, and I can't figure out how to go with the grain or ATG. I can do XTG at a couple different angles, but it still leaves some noticeable patches that bug the heck out of me and make me have to whip out the mach.

I have the same issue. What I did was allow my beard to grow for a day or two so that I can study the grain and get a sense of how the whiskers actually flow. We do know that they grow horizontally, but by allowing the whiskers to grow a little, it will help map out the area so you can stretch the skin to make them stand out better. Then I'll stretch the skin from various points to determine which will expose those patches the best. Then I'll remember how I stretch when I shave and reduce those whiskers and walk away with a very satisfying shave. I "attack" that area at about a 45 degree (+ or -) angle leading with the straight razor's heel since obviously we cannot go horizontal with the razor (razor fully vertical moving across that area); however, the cut will be a combination of XTG and ATG.

But also bear in mind, your facial topography is different than mine, so that's why I suggest you allow your beard to grow a little bit to really get to see your grain pattern.

Once you have your face mapped, you can shave everyday and not have to let it grow out because you know your beard's growth/grain pattern.

Good pre-shave prep, good shaving technique, and a good lather as well as a well-honed razor all play an important factor too; but knowing your beard pattern in my opinion is essential to SR shaving. They all work together for you.

Remember this, once your face cools and your pores close up, the remainder of the whiskers will retreat back under the skin line. This was discussed in this forum some time ago.

It all takes time and practice.

I try to stretch that portion of skin up onto the jaw so it gets exposed to an easier stroke. Then on my south to north neck pass (which is XTG for me) it gets most of the jawline stuff done. It's never 100% perfect, but good enough.

Originally Posted by jdto

I try to stretch that portion of skin up onto the jaw so it gets exposed to an easier stroke. Then on my south to north neck pass (which is XTG for me) it gets most of the jawline stuff done. It's never 100% perfect, but good enough.

Becoming familiar with your beard's growth pattern can help you adjust your stretching and razor handling for a closer shave.

Originally Posted by pmburk

Becoming familiar with your beard's growth pattern can help you adjust your stretching and razor handling for a closer shave.

Indeed, you are correct.

One thing to remember, pores do not "close up" or open, as they do not have muscles operating that function. That is a bit of a fallacy perpetuated in the skin care and especially shaving industry. Your pores don't change in size, though they can be clogged or unclogged and can appear larger if they are irritated. Exfoliation as provided by shaving will help your pores to remain unclogged and performing their function fully. Hot or warm water softens the skin and the natural oils, which allows for deeper cleaning and easier exfoliation.