Can Anyone Advise Me On My Technique?

I’ve been shaving with a straight for a number of weeks now and I’m getting better and better but a problem that has foxed me for all of my shaving days (even those before straights) is that I have odd hair growth on my neck and no matter what angle I try and tackle it from I can’t seem to get it smooth.

If you were to split my face and neck down the middle the hair on either side of my Adam’s apple in the dips there grow towards my ears so more or less 45 degrees from that centre line. I’ve tried to attack this hair from every angle – coming back at it in the opposite direction to it’s growth, straight up, straight down and I can’t for the life of me shift it properly. Can anyone help me with my technique or shed some light on why this area is causing me so much grief?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated ;)

Nathan.
P.S. I've been using shave oil and then shaving soap ever since using a straight and i have shaved after a shower and after just splashing my face with hot water a few times and that makes no difference to these areas at all.

I'm very new to this, but I have some pretty tricky areas myself. The best thing I have found is stretching the skin to the point that I can cut it when it is no longer in that area. FOr example, under one patch of my jawline, I "unstretch" (close my mouth), then pull it TIGHT upwards...it moves the problem whiskers by 1/4 inch, enough to get the pesky line clean. Next to my Adams apple, I lower my head a touch to give the skin some "play," then do the same thing, pull the skin sideways to move the hairs enough to snipe them with small careful strokes.
Don't know if it'll work for you....but it has alowed me to get my best straight shave ever (this morning!)

Stretch the skin in different directions and try not to get it all in one pass. Stretch, shave. Stretch different direction, shave. Etc.

The hollows on either side of the Adams apple are tricky no matter which way the hair grows.

The secret is to do whatever it takes to get that area flat and tight. For me what works is to put a couple fingers on the left side of the "apple" and press down while at the same time pushing the apple to the right.

Practice in the mirror (before you lather up) to see what works best for you.

:gl:

I've got the same set of patches and it took me some time to figure them out. I basically do what AusTexShaver suggested. Funny thing is that I never could get that area to my satisfaction with a DE but once I figured out the stretching and angle of attack I can with a straight.

My neck is horrible, so I have the same problem. I swear it grows a different direction every time I wake up.

I'm not positive if you're comfortable with shaving without looking in the mirror... but...

I've found it works better for me if I look up and to the side. It stretches the neck beyond pulling the skin and it also flexes/relaxes a few muscles in the process, giving you a different surface to work with. I can see the mirror from the corner of my eye, but for the most part I shave by feel.

But er, as my footer notes...

Gain 30 kilos. Problem solved. Been there, done that.

Anyone know a good tailor in Berlin?

Thanks for the advice fellas - i shall pull myself every which way from Sunday tonight and see if i can get the hairs cut ;)

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Originally Posted by smokelaw1

I'm very new to this, but I have some pretty tricky areas myself. The best thing I have found is stretching the skin to the point that I can cut it when it is no longer in that area. FOr example, under one patch of my jawline, I "unstretch" (close my mouth), then pull it TIGHT upwards...it moves the problem whiskers by 1/4 inch, enough to get the pesky line clean. Next to my Adams apple, I lower my head a touch to give the skin some "play," then do the same thing, pull the skin sideways to move the hairs enough to snipe them with small careful strokes.
Don't know if it'll work for you....but it has alowed me to get my best straight shave ever (this morning!)

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Me too. I just wish this trick would work on the upper lip. ;)

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Gain 30 kilos. Problem solved. Been there, done that.

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:roflmao
I've often considered this as a solution, believe it or not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Anyone know a good tailor in Berlin?

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Sorry, but no. I don't.