Thread: Shaving across the neck

Me too. I'm still looking for clam shells.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that struggles with this.
Today's shave was the closest I've gotten yeat in this area, nearly perfect.

What I did was to use hold #7 Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Library
But with the spine as far back to the scales as it would go, with the razor in my left hand and my right hand gripping the back of my neck ( think about laying back with your hands behind your head) the thumb points down towards the front of your neck, your thumb provides tension to the skin in a sideward direction, head back and to the left, the direction of stroke is forward and slightly up.
I hope this description makes sense.

Here's one of my solutions to my neck, chin and upper lip shaving problems. Concave blade works great. This is a new Jerry Stark

The combo of holding the razor upside down like #6 or 7 in the above linked page and one of the passes on a diagonal makes my neck one of the easiest parts of my shave.

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Capt. FitzRoy used to know

I use hold #6 with the tang at my neck line and the point towards my ear to make a diagonal pass towards my chin. I have a sharp jawline and hair that grows parallel to it, this is the way I've been getting the smoothest result. I prefer round point razors for this reason. I usually make the diagonal pass last since it is closest to ATG for me.

With scales at a 45 to 90 degree angle to the spine, razor close the vertical, start at the front of the neck and go back toward the ear, tilting head when needed.

I agree with Shaun (rezdog) and others on the scything or pivoting stroke. Stretching is also a BIG deal in that area.

I find it is razor specific for my face. I do much better with a smiling blade than I do with any straight blade, even a DE. But the biggest variable is your neck and your stretching. I'm pretty sure it would have been easier when my skin was closer to my bones, and there was more muscle in between. I did have an tight, muscular NFL style neck, unfortunately 40 years ago. Now I have turkey neck and can pretty much stretch, wrap the skin behind my ears, pin it with a binder clip and get a decent neck shave.

Seriously though, although not that bad, my neck is harder to shave than it used to be, and stretching is one of the big keys, as is a sharp smiling blade -- for me. Your face and neck may vary! YFANMV....

I have heard the opinion expressed that it may be necessary to accept a lower level of smoothness when shaving the neck.
Let us not descend into anarchy and resignation.

Originally Posted by BanjoTom

Does SRD sell clam shells?

My understanding is that they are doing some research on the various bivalves available. They may have something available for Christmas.