Thread: Back of the neck

OK, not everyone does this, I know, but after I get a haircut I try to keep the nape of my neck BBS as long as possible. Problem is, since I can't see I tend towards being overcautious and/or sloppy and missing a bunch of spots back there. Within a week I give up and let it grow in.

Is there a good technique for keeping one's napes BBS without worrying about cuts too much?

Annie get your gun or rather a hand mirror and practice your trick shooting with the straight.
You have to get used to the opposite illusion tricking your brain but you will no doubt compensate with a feather touch and the hair likely will be way easier to shave than your meat chewer.

Why not use a DE and do it all by feel? I do that now in the shower. Who needs a mirror, or to see?

Regards,

Steve

I do this periodically with my straights. It's really not hard once you get the hang of it.

For the sides of my neck, I'm able to turn my head enough that I can see what I'm doing. I use my right hand on the right side, left on the left. I'll pull my ear out of the way with my opposite hand as needed.

On the back, I use a hand-held mirror. For the right side of the back, I hold the mirror in my left hand, reaching up and around over my head. The mirror is positioned over my left shoulder. I angle the mirror to get a good view of what I'm doing. Then you just reverse everything for the other side.

To go against the grain, I straighten the razor out like a baton and shave upwards. Works like a charm.

Josh

Josh,

You don't use shaving cream when you shave the back of your neck yourself, do you? My barber uses hot lather, but after he applies it with his fingers, he sort wipes it off with the side of his thumb before he shaves it. By the sound of your technique, you're obviously not pulling down on your neck before making the pass with your razor, are you?

Hmm...may have to try using my str8 next time. Currently I just use either my beard/mustache trimmer or my barber clippers to shave off my neck hair.

Thanks,
Rob

I shaved my neck again the same evening I posted my last message, and I got a couple of additional "insights."

First, I got the mirror directions all wrong. I hold the mirror in my left hand to shave the left side. I reach around with my right arm, holding the razor like a baton. This way my hands don't block my view.

Also, I highly recommend using a 4/8 razor for this. A round tip or a blunted square tip is also recommened. I used my 6/8 Dubl Duck spike, and I stuck myself good a couple of times. It's actually behind the ears that's a problem for me, not way in the back there....

Rob, I do use lather when I shave the back of my neck. I usually just grab some Williams, build the lather in my hand, and then apply it and work it in for a minute. The lather does hide my hair line a bit, but it's worth it--I wouldn't want to try shaving without it. You could try coating your skin with a layer of bar soap rather than lather. That might work and still allow you to see what you're doing.

You're right--I don't stretch with my off hand. The skin on my neck is pretty taught, so I haven't felt the need to. It comes pre-stretched.

Josh

I use my straight on the back of my neck with a hand mirror and other than just making sure I'm in the right position, it's very easy and fast.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Rob, I do use lather when I shave the back of my neck. I usually just grab some Williams, build the lather in my hand, and then apply it and work it in for a minute. The lather does hide my hair line a bit, but it's worth it--I wouldn't want to try shaving without it. You could try coating your skin with a layer of bar soap rather than lather. That might work and still allow you to see what you're doing.

Josh

Josh,

I tried shaving the back of my neck this past weekend and was actually surprised how easy it was. I, however, did not use any lather. I gave the back of my neck the "hot towel treatment" and due to how fine that hair is versus facial hair, it came off very easily plus I did need to worry about messing up my hair neckline because there was nothing to obstruct my view.

Thanks for the tip and another use for the str8 razor!

Rob