Thread: Reassurance

Hey gents. So I am 11 shaves in and though not having great shaves, I am certainly not having horrible shaves. I keep reading and studying all things straight related. I am only having issues trying to figure out the left side of my neck. No matter what it just feels awkward. It just feels weird. See its in that spot previously I had experienced tons of razor skipping. Razor is not dull and lather slick and not dry. I figured out through that sutuation that it was my angle causing the skipping. Fixed that and no more skipping. I dont really get any irritation on my neck but I cant figure out how to get that side. Long story short I just wanted reassurance that this is normal growing pains and I am still on the right track. Lol! Again the shaves are not bad at all. DFS with an occasional nick or two. Any irritation I do get is not from the razor but rather from the bit of stubble left on my neck when it rubs against itself. So gents any tips would be appreciated. Im not worried and I know it takes a LOT of time I just want to make sure its normal is all. Thanks.

Two biggest things that helped me with my shaving - talking to mentors here about how to strop and switching from soaps to creams. I was getting "skipping" and some irritation with the soaps, a switch to creams ended all that.

Actually I did try that lol! Didnt even think it mattered. Unfortunately it didnt help though. I will give it a few more tries though. Just to be sure. I probably should have mentuoned the skipping only happened when going ATG on my neck on the left side. I start with WTG then ATG. I have also tried to figure out how to just do like a WTG/XTG combination kind of pass however I dont think thats possibly right now. What I ended up doing was lowering my angle and the skipping stopped. Hairs are being cut and I dont experience irritation so thats good. My problem lies more with no matter which hand I use it just doesnt feel comfortable. The the results, just the positioning. Sorry for not adding all this before. I really appreciate your tip and like I said I will try creams again brother.

ron it will come . its normal learning curve . I was doing this for 4 months before I got the whole neck clean with no burn,, you will get small sucesses at at time and then one day it all works ,keep up the good work tc

Thanks brother. I really need to learn to express my thoughts better when I am writing. I really take any and all tips to heart. Seriously. I absolutely love shaving this way and I know I got a lot to learn. I am enjoying the ride, just wanted to make sure I was on the right road.

Necks are tough not to mention a bit scary. Hair can grow in several directions in small spots. Have you mapped you hair growth? I found three things key for my neck

Proper stretching which can be a bit awkward

Using both hands to shave although it can be done with one by changing how the razor is held.

Knowing which way my beard wanted to grow

Fourth was practice and time. Sounds like you are doing great. It will come

On top of the sound advice given, i would also recommend looking into guillotine and scything strokes, they make quite a difference, as does stretching the offending area around to a flatter part of your neck or face.
I also find a wetter lather is better than a dryer one

Oh yes beard mapped properly. I learned that through DE shaving. I am just having a difficult time trying to figure out how to get the hairs correctly. I would like to say that I am amazed that it seems like no matter how I shave, so long as the angle is correct, my face doesnt get mad at me when using a straight. I do try to keep with the WTG, XTG, ATG pattern as much as possible. The neck however is just almost impossible to do that way. I definitely need to practice my stretching. Maybe I will set some time aside and just stare at the mirror and practice my technique.

Sorry to double post. Forgive me but I just want to thank you all for the responses. I hope none of my posts come off sounding like I know everything. I do have difficulty when writing so please read my posts light heartedly. Again much apprecited gents I will keep in mind everything you all have said and apply that to my shaves.

I type everything with one finger on a phone. Your writing is fine. It's my spell check I would watch out for