Thread: Angular Necks?

Hello everyone! Glad to be here! My name is Rio and I'm from Bozeman Montana. I'm just getting into straight shaving, at first it was for novelty value but then I noticed the extra pocket cash and the incredible smoothness of the shave even without looking up any techniques beforehand. I started out with the Dovo Shavette disposable straight razor and am saving up to get myself something a little more permanent. Being a college student kind of puts the shaft on my finances.
I am one of those tall, thin, lanky people like Abe Lincoln which I've found makes shaving the neck really a trick. Might have even been the reason for that beard. First "nick" I got I thought I would bleed out, ha ha! Are there any others with angular necks that have tips or tricks that might help? I'm trying to invent my own obviously but any ideas are appreciated!

Welcome to SRP! Be sure to check out our Wiki if you haven't already.
Well my neck isn't particularly angled but my beard grows in strange directions, so I can sympathize on the difficult neck thing. I'm also a college student so I can sympathize on the severe lack of funds as well! Anywho, be sure you know exactly what direction the hair in different parts of the neck grows. Really, get a piece of paper, draw a neck, and draw little direction arrows if need be. Certain areas are easier to access; you can use this to your advantage by pulling the skin from hard-to-reach areas to the places that are easier to get to. This is good to keep in mind when trying to get the parts that are on the corners that your angles make. Hope that helps at least a little, it's really all about pulling the skin to different spots and finding what works best for you and your specific beard.

I find that a smiling blade is the best thing for those tight corners on my neck. Nothing else I have tried quite does it.

X

+1 for skin stretching!

if you have a tough area to deal with, as I imagine your Adam's Apple or the grooves by your neck tendons would be, try stretching them on to a more flat convex surface, and shaving that way.

Move your head about, stretch in funny directions, try all of it.

Hello, RioJG:

Welcome to SRP. At it has been suggest, look around the Wiki for ample information on straight razor shaving. Also, if you need a question answered, please post it and you'll have your answer.

The neck is a problem for many of us. For me, it is. The hair on my neck has been in a state of revolution since the first time I felt stubble in that area way back in the 14th century.

I still experiment with creative skin stretching and different razor angles to try to get a good shave down there. I am not quite there yet, but I know I will be.

So my suggestion would be to experiment using those elements. Here, you must be careful, though, because you're in neck territory.

Take your time and concentrate. It will come with experience.

Regards,

Obie

Thanks for all the great feedback! I figured out a few other issues besides trying to find a technique for skin stretching and head tilting. Firstly; I had been using "normal" shaving foam and it was nothing like the soap that came in the mail yesterday. Even the extremely cheap shaving soap and brush makes a world of difference! Secondly; The Dovo Shavette comes with half sized blades and I just picked up some of the blades that are much closer to full length. I tried the larger blade last night and it was amazing how much easier it was! The tiny little stock blade (the length of a safety razor) was way to light and difficult to maneuver. Imagine only getting to use the last inch of your razor but having all that extra length getting in the way anyway, it was really obnoxious. I think that I just need to bite the bullet and get a real razor and strop. Maybe when my taxes come in.

My advice to you would be to watch the classifieds section for a good razor for about $30. Be patient, there will be one before long. Then order the Filly strop from RupRazor: RupRazor - The Filly
Alternatively, you could order the gold dollar 200 razor from RupRazor as well if you prefer not to wait, but it costs a little more than $30 ($49 to be exact). All razors from RupRazor or the classifieds will come honed and shave ready. Stay away from Ebay.

As far as soaps/creams go, get samples before buying the big stuff. This is a good place to do so: The Shave Den Store (Powered by CubeCart)

I would recommend the following brands for trying samples of: Tabac, Mitchells Wool Fat, Truefitt, Taylor (that's Taylor of Old Bond Street), Castle Forbes, Proraso, and Trumper. I hope that helps get you started, and good luck!

Brent