Thread: Hello from Brooklyn, NY

Hi there everyone just wanted to introduce myself. Just started shaving with a straight razor that uses replaceable blades (Parker Shavette). Not getting the smoothest shaves but I see a little progress every time.

Just wanted to pose a question for the people who have much more experience than me. I can usually have the upper portion of my face fine, like the cheeks, upper chin and mustache ares. However my problem lies in my neck. The hair on my neck grows from left to right. So across the grain shaving would be running the blade from my right to the left. The problem is I haven't really found a good way of doing it. Usually i'll go one pass up to down, then the second pass down to up but I still feel pretty scruffy. I usually have to take out the my fusion to clean it up. So if anyone could offer some advice on a good angle to attack it would be greatly appreciated.

Nice to meet you all!!

-Steve

Welcome I am new myself also and I have the same problem with neck area. I have been using a straight for 3 weeks not and everyday I get better, you say you improve each shave yourself. You just have to get used to the razor and what works on each part of your face. Take it slow try going diagonally instead of straight E-W against the grain.

Stretching the skin on your neck ... Stretching while you shave is half the battle . I usually take a towel hold it to the base of my neck and stretch the skin with one hand and shave with other.. Try it it works also look on YouTube for Lynn abrams video!! By the way welcome to srp!!

Welcome! There is always area's that are tough spots when you start off. It's just the way it is .

Map your face - it's huge! Watch as much video as you can as well.

Here is a link for mapping your face: http://www.pbjsite.com/shave/whiskarmap/preLoader.swf

Thanks for the great tips guys. I really appreciate it!

Just another quick question: is it wise to let the blade warm up under hot water before applying it my face even though it's a disposable? Or is it ready to go right out of the wax paper?

Thanks in advance!

I don't usually let the blade warm up so to speak! I shave with a a lather of mwf which is usually warm to hot i don't heat the blade but i keep it warm as i rinse the blade while I'm shaving. There may b other answers to this question by some senior members

Welcome!

I have the exact same problem. Try this...

1. Use cold water instead of warm or hot. Seemed to help me allot. I use MWF also and face lather.
2. When going xtg (jawline to neck). Go at a diagonal. Not quite xtg and not quite wtg. Think of an escalator and how it's traveling. Hard to explain but it works for me

I only do two passes wtg and the method above, any more and my neck starts to rebel lol.

I should also note, I don't let my blades hit the water. I "strop" the lather off onto my forearm in between passes. Then I wipe the blade down with toilet paper when finished and strop.

@zero so you shave with cold water? I had always heard that was bad for the skin and blade. I mean it's worth a try though, i'm always open to new methods. And what does MWF mean?

Thanks!

Mitchells wool fat its a shaving soap.. i usually soak the mwf and my shaving brush in the sink warm water while im in the shower.. let me see if i can find the link..