Trouble with Neck area. Should I go ATG?

Its been about 8 weeks since my first straight shave. So far I am loving it and I still can't believe I am really shaving with a straight razor. My progression is still increasing but at a slower pace than initially. The main problem is my neck. No matter how I stretch my skin, my neck ends up with an uneven shave. I just can't get the lower side of my neck where it indents to be as close as the other parts.

I do have very sensitive skin that is prone to ingrown hair and breakouts. That is why I have always shaved with the grain in the past using my safety razors.

Today I grew some and decided to go against the grain on my neck. I did get some irritation BUT no cuts and it is much more even!!

So with a straight razor, will going against the grain cause me to break out and have ingrown hairs?

Anyone else go against the grain on their neck?

Any other suggestions to conquering my neck?

Thank you for the help.

With your sensitive skin that is prone to ingrown hairs and breakouts, as you note, avoid going against the grain at all cost. Why make matters worst? You may not get a perfect shave, a marble smooth one, but a comfortable shave makes more sense.
The neck is difficult to shave for most people. It has always been for me. I do the best I can and opt for a comfortable shave that is irritation free rather than tear up my skin just to get a perfect shave.

I always go against the grain on my neck, and everywhere else as well. I do it carefully, but I get very smooth results with no rash, bumps or other issues. I think the ATG pass is where the straight razor really shines. I'm not sure that 8 weeks experience is quite enough, but I consider it my money pass.

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Originally Posted by joepa150

Anyone else go against the grain on their neck?

Any other suggestions to conquering my neck?

Thank you for the help.

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I shave upwards and downwardson the neck. Keeping the skin taught is key. It's a feel. Some areas you can tighten the skin with just your neck and other areas you need a couple fingers to help it taught.

Have you tried introducing a shaving oil before you apply the soap? I sometimes have to re-apply soap on the neck and chin. Introducing a shave oil, or for that matter, a baby oil, before you apply soap will help keep the skin moist and aid the blade to glide more freely.

G.

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Originally Posted by AlliumSativum

I shave upwards and downwardson the neck. Keeping the skin taught is key. It's a feel. Some areas you can tighten the skin with just your neck and other areas you need a couple fingers to help it taught.

Have you tried introducing a shaving oil before you apply the soap? I sometimes have to re-apply soap on the neck and chin. Introducing a shave oil, or for that matter, a baby oil, before you apply soap will help keep the skin moist and aid the blade to glide more freely.

G.

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I have AOS Sandalwood shave oil that I have tried maybe 4 times. I don't know if it is that brand or if I am doing it wrong but it doesn't improve the blade glide. If anything my blade skips from the oil. I've applied a couple drops to my moist skin and dry skin before the shave cream/soap.

How about proraso preshave? Will that help?

I always follow the first pass with an ATG pass, with a straight it doesn't seem to cause any problems, like a cartridge does. Use a light touch though. ;)

I never shave against the grain. Works for me.

I've been shaving exclusively w/ straights for nine months now. Have always had less than satisfactory results on my neck as well. My solution has been regular WTG first, then re-lather my neck (just the sides -- I seem to do OK over my throat WTG) and go at it again ATG. Much better tho not perfect.

I can't go ATG anywhere due to sensitive skin. What I do is a variation of WTG and XTG passes. Two passes to be exact. I never do more than two passes because my skin just can't handle it.

Over one year into it I still do not get the neck perfect. I am closer to breaking it tough. for example, today i got a really close shave except for a few pesky hairs. idk, just keep at it. in this game perfection is always something to strive for. or do not strive for it just be it or some such nonsense.

Hey joepa,

I've got a challenging neck, craggy adam's apple and all that. It was the last part of my shave that I learned with the straight.

The approach I've evolved is to start my shave with my neck, along the collarline, then work my way up. This gives me dry grip points for good stretches. I stretch from my collarbone or so, shave a couple inches up, then move my stretch points upward and shave a couple more inches. I do one side of the neck, up to my jawline in three sets of downward passes, then the very front, three or four sets of short downward passes, then the remaining side. I don't struggle for particular grain orientations, because there's too much topography to worry about and work around. Remember: Above all, Do No Harm.

If I really care about a smooth shave, I'll relather and do a second pass, shaving from the collarline toward the jawline (first pass was jawline toward collarline). I only need to look that good about once a week.

For getting into those hollows, a smiling blade is best. A round tip makes the whole project easier, too.

Good luck and best wishes.

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Originally Posted by Firefighter2

I always follow the first pass with an ATG pass, with a straight it doesn't seem to cause any problems, like a cartridge does. Use a light touch though. ;)

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+1. I'm only 3 weeks in and have the same problem. Always got bumps and ingrowns with the cartridge. Just use a VERY light touch and lay razor almost flat. I haven't had any bumps or ingrowns yet.

Give Creamo shave cream a try, you can get it at walmart for 5 or 6 bucks. really slick stuff

Find out what the grain actually is. A lot of the time I only go WTG. When I do do a ATG, I use a lighter lather for the ATG pass (I add water to the mix), use a very light grip, and use the HEEL of the razor a lot to get into the hollows. A 5/8 razor with a nice rounded distinct big heel is a bonus.

I shave the neck atg only. The xtg and wtg is useless for me anyway. Practice the stretch on a dry face and see what lifts the stubble. If you stretch the wrong way you can pull the stubble down. What I do is stretch then release and go over it again. Tight first then loose. It works for me.

Well, I am still having a bit of trouble but it is getting better. The problem spots are still the hollows and actually the area between my adams apple and my chin. That area is easy to shave evenly but for some reason doesn't get close form me.

Also maybe my expectations are too high. I can't recall since I wasn't paying much attention but when I was using a safety razor, maybe my neck area wasn't shaved to close and even.

Try buffing strokes between your chin and adam's apple. If you're starting to get a little wobbly there, like me, that may help get your shave closer.

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Originally Posted by roughkype

Try buffing strokes between your chin and adam's apple. If you're starting to get a little wobbly there, like me, that may help get your shave closer.

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What are buffing strokes?
I will give it a shot. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by joepa150

Its been about 8 weeks since my first straight shave. So far I am loving it and I still can't believe I am really shaving with a straight razor. My progression is still increasing but at a slower pace than initially. The main problem is my neck. No matter how I stretch my skin, my neck ends up with an uneven shave. I just can't get the lower side of my neck where it indents to be as close as the other parts.

I do have very sensitive skin that is prone to ingrown hair and breakouts. That is why I have always shaved with the grain in the past using my safety razors.

Today I grew some and decided to go against the grain on my neck. I did get some irritation BUT no cuts and it is much more even!!

So with a straight razor, will going against the grain cause me to break out and have ingrown hairs?

Anyone else go against the grain on their neck?

Any other suggestions to conquering my neck?

Thank you for the help.

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I have the same problem with the ingrown hairs and I have 22 allergies on top of this to contend with. One of the many reasons I shave with a straight razor is the soaps are more natural and I get less ingrowns (I get ingrowns even when a barber shaves me.)

I suggest because your quiet a young shaver is to shave with the grain. A lot of people have trouble with their necks, I still have occasional uneven shaves when I'm in hast or my razor needs a hone.

I also suggest getting to know your bread growth. This can be done by letting you hair grow over the weekend, then feeling which way is with/across and against the grain. You can map this out by drawing face/neck and dividing it into sections then drawing what direction you hair grows. Doing this will give you greater knowledge in where to shave with the grain initially.

When you have the experience and confidence try shaving in a diagonal on your neck. If you need to shave in both directions (diagonally). This will allow you to conquer the across the grain strokes. Then work on shaving against the grain.

As my beard growth on my neck is in all different directions I have developed a comfortable method, that gives me an even cut. I also shave across/against the grain to achieve this.


It's a long journey around the neck. Just remember strop well, light pressure, 30 degree angle (good place to start) and master one stroke at a time.

SAME PROBLEM but I HAVE YOUR SOLUTION!!!!!!

I stopped shaving my neck 9 1/3 months ago. I still shave everything from my jawline up BBS but my neck is a "no fly zone". I consider it to be a beard but just upside down. I do get some crazy gawkers at the office and the chickees don't seem to dig it but I don't mind. It's a great conversation starter at parties.

Give it a try for us and post some pics joepa...........

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Originally Posted by joepa150

Well, I am still having a bit of trouble but it is getting better. The problem spots are still the hollows and actually the area between my adams apple and my chin. That area is easy to shave evenly but for some reason doesn't get close form me.

Also maybe my expectations are too high. I can't recall since I wasn't paying much attention but when I was using a safety razor, maybe my neck area wasn't shaved to close and even.

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Something that helps me shave my neck is to set down my razor, stretch my skin as much as possible, apply soap/cream to area you want to shave while still stretching, pick up razor and shave. It can allow you to really change the angle of the hair and create a smoother surface. I can't say for sure it will work as I don't have any prominent hollows or adams apple, but it seems like it should work to me.