Advice on shave technique for neck

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Originally Posted by RezDog

My neck whiskers are also very flat to my skin. I do my first pass against the grain. I also use Noxema as a preshave and skin stretching for me is paramount. Blade skipping I always associate with pressure. If I keep my hold on my razor more relaxed and not gripping it it helps me keep the pressure low.

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Ver useful information, thank you. I think the skipping I'm experiencing might be to do with finding it hard to find the technique to stretch the skin sufficiently, rather than pressure. I'm trying to use absolutely minimal pressure. I am actively experimenting with stretching techniques, but am not there yet.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Also when going ATG I will have the spine of the razor almost touching my face.

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This is a useful tip. Keeping the blade angle low is very tricky when shaving the curve just under the jawline.

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Originally Posted by BobH

When shaving your neck you are shaving a curved surface so you will only cut a narrow swath of whiskers. Try and overlap the swaths a bit.

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Yes this works. If the blade is cutting a 1/2" swath, I find that if I overlap the swaths half-and-half, the part of the blade on the cleaner skin stabilises the blade, and it jumps less.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Make sure your lather is very good in that it has enough water content to give a good glide. If it is too dry/pasty the razor has aa tendency to jump a bit.

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This is also a work-in-progress. I have found that shave oil under the lather helps.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Also like others have said a smiling blade seems to get the hollows better.

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Yes I have found this.

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Originally Posted by Montgomery

This is a useful tip. Keeping the blade angle low is very tricky when shaving the curve just under the jawline.

This is also a work-in-progress. I have found that shave oil under the lather helps.

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WRT the jawline, you could always pull your skin up to bring that bit skin that is on the curve just under the jaw line above the jawline to get at it better.

Getting the lather right is so important as it can make a sharp blade act like it is dull. I think nobody gets it right 100% of the time either. Here is a link to lathering that I had found useful for myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zESTQWDuw

Bob

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Originally Posted by Montgomery

I'd be very curious to see your stretching technique. I wear a full set, so would only be able to perform half the length of the strokes you demonstrate. Of course, with the stroke in the first picture, that also leaves a big triangle under the jawline.

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That's just the first pass, I follow thru to the chin, just under the jawline. As for stretching, I pull the skin towards my chest , and that's very little. Mostly just holding the skin in place so it doesn't pile up in front of the blade. A scything motion is paramount...! It takes practice. I takes time to find what works best for you

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Originally Posted by Montgomery

Hmmm...... not for me!

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It will be. Just keep practicing and trying different things. I should have said “simple” and not “easy” as it is only as complicated as you make it but it takes practice. There is no “magic bullet” for everyone but with the tips you have been given here and trying different things you will soon find a way that is effective and easy for you. Straight razor shaving takes practice to get perfect results but most can get great results pretty quickly. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Getting the lather right is so important as it can make a sharp blade act like it is dull. I think nobody gets it right 100% of the time either. Here is a link to lathering that I had found useful for myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zESTQWDuw

Bob

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Useful tutorial!

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Originally Posted by Steel

It will be. Just keep practicing and trying different things. I should have said “simple” and not “easy” as it is only as complicated as you make it but it takes practice. There is no “magic bullet” for everyone but with the tips you have been given here and trying different things you will soon find a way that is effective and easy for you. Straight razor shaving takes practice to get perfect results but most can get great results pretty quickly. Good luck.

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I think of it as pushing a series of envelopes, the best edge, best lather, best shaving technique, etc etc, until it all comes together. It is starting to come together for me, but we are not quite there yet.

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Originally Posted by Montgomery

I think of it as pushing a series of envelopes, the best edge, best lather, best shaving technique, etc etc, until it all comes together. It is starting to come together for me, but we are not quite there yet.

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Don't worry, it will all come together eventually. Just time, patience and experimenting will get you there.


Bob

I use a scything stroke, created out of necessity and not out of any knowledge, to shave my neck below the beard line. I have a patch of whiskers that are resistant to WTG & ATG, so small scything strokes with chin up, skin pulled taught, and shaving the area going from west to east seems to settle the issue. You've gotten good advice. I am just seconding the multiple motions!

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Originally Posted by Montgomery

I think of it as pushing a series of envelopes, the best edge, best lather, best shaving technique, etc etc, until it all comes together. It is starting to come together for me, but we are not quite there yet.

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That's the way I have gone about it also. I think it is a matter of finding the combination of all the aspects of SR shaving that work best for you and the blade you're using. For instance, I have never (hardly ever) gone ATG on my neck in my 55 years of shaving. If I do given the way my beard grows, I'll get a rash or razor burn 99% of the time. Luckily, my beard is now almost all gray or white (more luckily, my hair isn't), so other than a few strays that might show up near the collar of a dark shirt, I don't have to get every single whisker as close as humanly possible.

Everybody's face and beard are different, so we all have to find what works for us.