Some things even Straight Razors can't do!

Hello,
Does any one else have a spot they just can't get shaved close with a straight razor?

I do, just one little square inch spot. There's a slight hollow/valley between my throat and neck muscles on my right side. And my hair growth pattern spirals into it, So the grain goes into the hollow. No matter what I do I cannot get a close shave here with a straight razor, eternal stubble...:( Only way I can is with my safety. This makes my somewhat frustrated, not really frustrated but a little annoyed that I have a patch of stubble which I know I didn't miss. Gives me a small sense of dissatisfaction with my straight razor shaving :(:cry::confused:

I feel so SAD I could grow a BEARD

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Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

Hello,
Does any one else have a spot they just can't get shaved close with a straight razor?

I do, just one little square inch spot. There's a slight hollow/valley between my throat and neck muscles on my right side. And my hair growth pattern spirals into it, So the grain goes into the hollow. No matter what I do I cannot get a close shave here with a straight razor, eternal stubble...:( Only way I can is with my safety. This makes my somewhat frustrated, not really frustrated but a little annoyed that I have a patch of stubble which I know I didn't miss. Gives me a small sense of dissatisfaction with my straight razor shaving :(:cry::confused:

I feel so SAD I could grow a BEARD

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I have the same problem. I can get the area pretty clean but only if I miss a days shaving and shave every other day. Trying to get a BSS everyday in this area is impossible for me even with skin stretching etc. The only way I can achieve a daily BSS is to use a DE passed over the hollow in multiple directions but mostly sideways from ear to adams apple. Blade buffing or scything strokes get me pretty close with the straight but not BSS. A DE is the only tool for every day gloss BSS on the neck

Yes, i have a few areas that are still stubbly in certain directions, i personally dont worry about it, it will get shaved again tomorrow, i can get a really smooth shave if i irritate my skin, so i dont.
You may be able to pull the skin to a flatter area, either by tilting to that side and pulling your neck skin onto your cheek, or pulling it sideways away from the offending area and onto the side of your neck.

try some different skin stretching angles, and shaving in some really awkward angles can help . I think sometimes if you stretch the wrong way you can make the hairs lay down. It took me four years to figure that out. And an oblique point makes it easier in the hollows of the neck area, although I only have one razor like that. I wouldn't get to upset about it, you can really create some bad irritation obsessing about it.

Over the last couple of years, I've worked out some different hand holds and stretching strategies to help with this. Sometimes I've found that the heel of the razor can fit some of the hollow areas that the flat part of the blade just skims over. It kind of depends on the geometry of the blade that I'm using. Just keep working on it, and don't worry about keeping the DE handy. I love my DE's too, and usually keep one ready in case I feel the need, or just want to enjoy a second razor.

I don't have those spots with a freshly honed razor but I do have a few tell tale spots that get harder to shave BBS as soon as the edge starts to lose some of its keenness.

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Originally Posted by Kees

I don't have those spots with a freshly honed razor but I do have a few tell tale spots that get harder to shave BBS as soon as the edge starts to lose some of its keenness.

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Of course, over the years my stropping has improved greatly as well. I know my razors are much sharper now than before. Edge quality does have a lot to do with it.

Just blow your neck out

http://www.indianaturewatch.net/imag...8be3b0e391.jpg




wouldn't that be convenient!

i have the same problem in the same spot on both sides of my neck. I use my injector razors to get those spots. I've tried stretching the skin, and a passes in different directions, but remember noticing when i had a beard there were swirls in those spots when I was first letting it grow out. I don't think I'll ever be able to get that stubble with a straight, but I try every time, haha.

I've got a spot under my chin that is nearly impossible to get perfect. Sometimes a more narrow razor can help in those spots (4/8)

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Originally Posted by rodb

I've got a spot under my chin that is nearly impossible to get perfect. Sometimes a more narrow razor can help in those spots (4/8)

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hey! don't be giving away the secrets! :p

(4/8 smiling blade here, for when i really want to get that spot, yo).

Whenever I had a spot that I was only able to get with a DE, I examined what the DE was doing and how it was engaging the beard. Then I simply used the straight to engage it the same way. Well, that's the trick right? For those sides of my neck, what I do is use my opposite hand. For my left side, I hold the razor with the right hand. Then I place the razor just about an inch below the jaw bone at the corner of my jaw and draw it from the top left down toward the center of the base of my neck just below the adams apple. Then I reverse for the other side. But that is a move designed for my hair growth. Maybe it will help you, maybe not. But whenever you have a tough area, think about what the DE is doing and then think about how you need to hold your razor and move it such that you're doing the same thing. I've been able to tackle all areas one way or another. The only spot I don't bother with is directly over the adams apple. The hair grow left to right there and its just too damn easy to cut myself trying to get it. That one little patch I accept as not BBS. It was tough with a DE and no easier with the SR.

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Whenever I had a spot that I was only able to get with a DE, I examined what the DE was doing and how it was engaging the beard. Then I simply used the straight to engage it the same way. Well, that's the trick right? For those sides of my neck, what I do is use my opposite hand. For my left side, I hold the razor with the right hand. Then I place the razor just about an inch below the jaw bone at the corner of my jaw and draw it from the top left down toward the center of the base of my neck just below the adams apple. Then I reverse for the other side. But that is a move designed for my hair growth. Maybe it will help you, maybe not. But whenever you have a tough area, think about what the DE is doing and then think about how you need to hold your razor and move it such that you're doing the same thing. I've been able to tackle all areas one way or another. The only spot I don't bother with is directly over the adams apple. The hair grow left to right there and its just too damn easy to cut myself trying to get it. That one little patch I accept as not BBS. It was tough with a DE and no easier with the SR.

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Agree with this as well, nothing that a little figuring out and examination that can't correct. For me, it's directly under the chin area, to many rigid angles.

What's funny though, and weird and interesting, if I use the Osma soap with Alum, this doesn't happen. I find when I use this soap, I get an unusually close shave for no other apparent reason than the soap. Few others I know who have tried it agree - while some have struggled with the lather, all have said it provides a very close shave! Just goes to show you what a good coating of alum can do.

Still the most unique soap I've tried to date!

Keep trying, you'll get it, as suggested earlier, try some different angles. I've found that a different grip on the razor helps as well. When I first started, I thought so many people use to have mustaches because it was impossible to get the lip area with a straight! :)

I had some places but you just need to find in wich direction the hair grows. That will solve most of them.

Dries

Got a little closer this time!

Thanks for all the comments! I'm sure others have similar problems, so I'm glad I asked.

This time I put the toe of the blade in the depth of the valley and went across the grain as best as I could considering the growth grain is wild there. This is what works for the safety razors. This required an "interesting" grip and posture. And I don't think it would be possible with a spike point, as the sharp point would dig into the valley of my neck!