Old problem - the neck

So I have been useing a Feather SS and DX for a while, and my Whipped Dog straight as well. I get great results on my cheeks and under the nose and below the mouth, but my problem area is.... the neck.
I'm not alone in this, I know.

Here's my problem, my beard grown N - S from my sideburns and down to my chinline, there is decides to go nuts and start growing away form the adams apple and sideways out and then kind of angling upwards towards my ear (apart from one small spot the size of a quarter maybe that goes N - S just to spite me). This means that XTG on the neck is easy. What is problematic is WTG and ATG. Because the scales are in the way and I'm a skinny guy with a neck equipped with hollows between the jugular and the sides of the neck. It's hell. Tried going diagonal when going ATG and WTG, but that's still a bother because of the scales and the hollows. With a DE this isn't a problem at all, but I would like to be able to cut down to just using one razor per shave insted of having to switch mid-shave.

The way I see it is that I either pick up some tips on how to handle this, or faten up so my neck becomes round and jolly, this making nack shaving easier. I'm hoping on the technique one, to be honest.

I have not been shaving with a straight long, but have the same issue with my neck hairs growing from the midline outwards. Something I've noticed is if I do two XTG passes, one N-S then one S-N, it gives me a good DFS, not great but pretty good. I remember reading a post about a few different grips gents have tried with our same issue. That's been the biggest help to me is just trying new grips when the classic ones don't pan out. Good luck.

Over the years I've tried just about every grip and stroke and I've given up trying to get BBS in areas of my neck and to tell you the truth just because it's not BBS doesn't mean you didn't get a great shave. BBS isn't the arbiter folks think it is.

I've found using a shorter razor helps and a razor with a heavy smile makes a big difference too.

I simply go N-S, then S-N.

I have tried going across, but the blade scares me on the jugular :dropjaw:

Still, a DFS providing the blade is sharp.

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.

the adams apple is my problem. I can't get BBS but what ever I get without a cut is fine with me.

If XTG is easy then the solution is simple: bypass WTG and ATG and do 2 XTG passes on your neck, in opposite directions (S to N, then N to S) and that should do the trick. I have the same issue and it works like a charm :)

After time and practice (and a sharp razor ;)) you might find that WTG and XTG is all you need to get BBS across the majority of your face....

I don't have a great solution because just below my jaw line and the neck hollows are problematic for me as well. Part of the solution lies in stretching the skin in different directions and doing several clean up passes.

I usually don't start out chasing a BSS but often it turns out that way. What's weird is sometimes I feel I've accomplished it about an hour later after my whiskers dry out I feel the stubble. I figure it's just the challenge of learning the stroke, pressure & stretching all together.

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.

The Adam's Apple is to the crown of your head as Antarctica is to the North Pole. :hmmm:

I still reach for the safety razor if i want to make full ATG passes there, and that's looking for trouble, so i may quit that altogether. I've learned to give it a good South then North pass and maybe ONE touch-up attempt per side. Law of diminishing returns kicks in really quickly after that.

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.

Quote:

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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.

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

Quote:

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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.

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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

Gentlemen,
The hair on my neck is like a wild prehistoric jungle. It is as if the mean gods had a crap shoot to see which would cause more havoc with the dense growth. Lynn puts it another way: he says I have tree trunks for a beard. That's the perfect description of the thick and unruly fuzz that graces my Hollywood face. For me, therefore, to get a perfect shave on the neck would probably take six or seven passes. That would fry my skin. So I do the best I can and let it go. That means three passes combining with the grain, across the grain and against the grain, coming in at different angles and using a lot of creative stretching. In the end, gentlemen, comfort takes precedent over perfect.