Thread: My ATG Neck Technique

First off, I'm right handed. And going against the grain in the aread between my neck and my right jaw is always a pain. I've been shaving with a straight for almost three months, and I still seem to cut myself there every now and then while the rest of my face is just fine.

So, what I do is take the razor and bend it backwards on itself to make a 'V' shape. Then I hold it upside down. Imagine you're making the peace sign with you fingers and you hold it facing down with the knuckle of your index finger against your face.

And then I go against the grain using a scything motion. I get a smooth shave on my neck that I can't seem to get any way else. And it's funny, but I feel like I have more control holding the blade upside down on this pass.

Whatever works. I do a down pass all the way round for my first pass then an up for my second. Also known as No & So. I go E&W on my mustache and chin. The neck is always tough. I am also right handed and when doing the left side of my neck I hold the razor with the handle straight as if it was a Japanese style blade.

I have a rather prominent adams apple with a hollow spot on either side and a little trick I use is to stretch the skin sideways rather than up & down.

What I do is take the non-razor hand and place it to the side of the adams apple and push down while at the same time gently pushing the adams apple in the other direction. In other words I put a couple fingers on the left side and push down and to the right while raising my chin. What this does is flatten out everything from the adams apple to the ear making it easier to get in all the nooks & crannies.

Like this you mean.

On the S/N pass on my left neck I hold the razor straight like a Japanese razor too. It just feels more natural for me.

Actually, I hold the razor bent in the oposite way xman. The blade makes the 'V' shape with the spine and the scales facing each other. I've actually tried your way after watching your video here, but I could feel it digging in. I'm still new to this, so my technique needs to be worked on.

For ATG, I use my left hand for the right side of my face, and my right hand for the left side of my face.

James.

Originally Posted by biggbadwulff

On the S/N pass on my left neck I hold the razor straight like a Japanese razor too. It just feels more natural for me.

Actually, I hold the razor bent in the oposite way xman. The blade makes the 'V' shape with the spine and the scales facing each other. I've actually tried your way after watching your video here, but I could feel it digging in. I'm still new to this, so my technique needs to be worked on.

Ah. I know what you mean. I tried your method, but felt uncertain about being able to control the blade. Go with what works for you I guess, just don't do what some do and soldier on with the first idea that comes to mind (and I mean this in general for all, not specifically aimed at you, wulf), but instead try to imagine a better way, a safer way if you can. I say so just because I never want to see another "Wrong Way to Use a Straight Razor" video on YouTube again. I want to reach out to all those poor guys, lead them here and get into discussions with them about how to stop carving themselves up.

X

I totally agree. I've gotten myself to such a weird position because I keep trying something new. I wish I could go back and watch someone like my great great grandfather shave. My grandmother told me he never shaved with anything else but a straight.

I think I could learn so much from someone who never had any other shaving option. There's such a disconnect between straights and "safety" razors. It may sound weird, but it's like the engineering of the Egyptians, and the engineering now. We have an idea of how the pyramids were built, but we can only guess.

It's true we have manuals, but fewer and fewer of us, if any, can get tips and how to's from those who used straights full time.

Hello Wulff. Your best bet is start using both hands. It takes a few times to get used to it but after a while you can do just as good with both hands.

bj

I have tried using my left hand to shave. I have seen it done by someone who is expert at it but I haven't picked it up yet. When I first started straight razor shaving successfully I felt awkward enough doing it with my dominant hand. I have gotten to the point where I shave well enough to suit me with my right hand in more then one direction. Eventually I will go back to trying the left hand. An old dog trying to learn a new trick.