Thread: Old problem - the neck

After my N and S passes, I try and do scything strokes on my neck from outside to inside, but the angle is still awkward. I have a Kamisori that seems to work better than the western razors in this department.

Pretty darn good neck shaving for me means scything and sliding/guillotining passes after one up and one down. I also have better luck with smaller razors. Perfection, such as it is after only six months of trying, has been achieved regularly with a third pass and touch-ups with a Rolls Razor.

Originally Posted by scap99

Mine neck hairs swirl...
I'll likely not get it completely smooth, but I'm happy with how it turns out. My final pass is east west, with a short buffing stroke and the skin pulled tight and head all contorted. ;-)
I'm sure there's an easier way, but this is how I skin a cat.

I'm with ya. My neck is like a hurricane of seriously stiff bristles. I take care of business but it is not easy.

Originally Posted by JeffR

Here's what works for me:
Make sure the razor is sharp and stropped. Disregard direction of whiskers and go in any direction that is comfortable and controllable. Gently stretch skin. Use a high enough blade angle to follow the contours of any wrinkles and such and do not press down on the blade (to avoid razor burn or nicks). Repeat: Do NOT press down on the blade. You will be rewarded with a smooth, closely shaved neck.

A BIG +1 on this! I have the same neck growth pattern and I used to try to go E-W/W-E but it was near impossible. What I found to work every time was a N-S while stretching skin at base of neck. Put your hand on your neck like you are strangling yourself and gently pull down and then shave N-S. I also go slightly SE on one side and slightly SW on the other. I get BBS consistently doing this. Make sure when you increase angle you decrease pressure. When you think you have no pressure lighten up some more! With a sharp blade, skin stretch, higher angle (30 degrees), and negative pressure you should get a BBS. If not then try adjusting these things until you get it. Just my .02¢

I personally believe that it's just a function of "bridging" across parts of the neck.
I have never had a problem with a "clean" neck shave using a double edge (my first razor, in 1954) or a "Rolls".
That is what made me start paying more attention to creating a flat plane for the straight while making a pass.
I agree that a shorter razor helps.

I've gotten to the point now that I use my Rolls more often and trim my mustache with a straight if I'm in a hurry.

Owlface -- I think many of us have a similar problem. Like many others here, I use a combination of scything and sliding motions depending on where I am on my neck, and which hand I'm using. I think if you take you time and experiment (safely) you'll find the solution that works for you.

The secret after going E-W is to not feel your neck.......

if I'm going for serious clean on my neck i find my best option is my henkells Spanish point and a whole lot of care, which allows me a good combo of mowing power and precision. i use three passes on the all up or down but changing the direction that my scythe contacts the hair and then a point and heel oriented clean up.

however i am gonna try the different skin stretching to see about a cleaner shave

I recently used the I Barber and it has a little of a smile. this time the apple didn't get sliced. I don't know if it was because I was taking it slower or the smile. at any rate it worked. the other times when it got to the apple I would reach for the Bismarck 9/16 small and sharp. every time is a learning experience.

The hollow of my neck is a problem area as well.
How I deal with it?
I realize that until I started with a straight razor I never even felt that area of my face to see how close, smooth it was.
BBS in most areas and DFS in the rest is great for now.
I work on scything and different strokes. It's all good