Thread: Advice on shave technique for neck

I'd like some advice on shaving my neck if anyone can help!

I usually wear a beard, so I am only shaving my neck and cheeks, and I only tend to shave once a week. The neck is really tricky. The grain goes from bottom to top, right up to the jawline, but on the sides of the neck just below the jawline the grain heads off towards the ears, so under the jawline at the sides the grain goes from the centre of the neck towards the ears. Also, the hairs on the neck lay very flat.

The first WTG pass, from bottom to top, is never very smooth, I guess because the hairs lie so flat. XTG is very tricky, so I don't manage to cover much, and for most of the neck the second pass is ATG, starting under the jawline and shaving downwards. Because there is lots of longish stubble lying against the skin, this is really tricky, and the razor jumps and catches, though I have never cut myself. I tend to shave downwards in very small strips, about 1/4" wide, especially around the adam's apple. On the sections under the jawline towards the ears, I can neither do a WTG or ATG pass, upwards or downwards is XTG.

Any tips or suggestions? I have a couple of older heavier smiling razors, and they perform MUCH better on the neck shave than a lighter blade.

Smilers work the best on my neck too, and I use them to do what some call a scything stroke, in which I pivot the razor (like a windshield wiper) from the pivot. Try it first on a cheek and take small "swipes". It is almost the only way I can get close on my neck. Stretching is also a key component of the technique. You don't want skin "piling up" in front of the blade. If it does, blood usually follows.

I also have a beard and shave only my neck and cheeks and have neck hairs that go every which way. I use my straight razor to set my jaw line and then shave down and then across to my ear. I also use a scything stroke, but still leave a lot of stubble to remove.

When I really want a close neck shave, I resort to a double edge razor and use short strokes against the grain. This usually results in some irritation, but alum and witch hazel end that.

Very easy. Make sure you have a very keen blade, streeeeetch the skin, and slightly angle your strokes in a slight diagonal stroke (example...NE to SW or SE to NW)

Like Steel said, that's how I get my smashed wire brush, beard.





I've also been at this for over 30 years, so I've become quite comfortable with a straight in my hands.

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.

Originally Posted by outback

I've also been at this for over 30 years, so I've become quite comfortable with a straight in my hands.

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.

Originally Posted by Steel

Very easy.

Hmmm...... not for me!

I get that a sharp blade is essential, and that is improving all the time. I also get that stretching the skin is key, however, I haven't found the technique that stretches the skin nearly as well as I feel is necessary.

Diagonal strokes work on some areas of my neck, but I find that they are hampered by the beard line for one, and also, when I really stretch my neck, the sinews mean that cross-ways strokes are going over peaks and troughs in many places, and so are tricky. Same applies to the area around the adam's apple.

Originally Posted by Montgomery

Hmmm...... not for me!

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.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Stretching is also a key component of the technique.

Yes, I appreciate this. However, I have not yet found a satisfactory method of stretching the skin on the neck sufficiently to make downward ATG stroke feel like it is over properly taut skin. Any suggestions?