Thread: Shaving my neck - not going well

Hi folks,

Well, this morning was my second straight razor shave. The sides of my face went well but I'm still butchering my neck. I have multiple nicks on each side along with redness, tenderness and soreness for several hours. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I've read the Moss article, watched Lynn's video and the Donofrio video and other guides. I think part of the problem is that I've been shaving with an electric razor for 20+ years so my face isn't used to shaving with a blade. I'm pretty sure my prep is adequate since the sides of my face go well.

On my first shave, I was shaving my neck straight down, like the sides of my face, which meant I was shaving my neck across the grain. Today, I tried shaving more with the grain, shaving from my chin area back along towards my ear. It still didn't help. I don't know if I'm not stretching my skin enough or what.

I guess I shouldn't complain considering this is only my 2nd shave but I really want my entire shave to be as good as the sides of my face. I'm just impatient I suppose. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I find that shaving my chin and neck to be the most challenging. For my neck I start at the adams apple and shave up towards the chin. The second pass is from the chin down towards the adams apple. If I do a third its chin toward one ear and then chin towards the other. It will come in time.

I've found with my neck I have to pull the skin very tight to get any sort of effective shave, otherwise it comes out stubbly and indifferent. I usually shave down, then up, then maybe across, or maybe up or down again.

As I mentioned once before, I also tend to have to press a bit harder when I shave my neck as compared to the rest of my face, maybe because the hairs are tougher, or maybe just because the skin is pulled so tight. This is even with a freshly honed razor.

You'll get it in time, though, it just takes practice. I've been doing this for a few months now, and under the lips and my moustache still give me problems.

Edwin,

Just hang in there and it will all come out in
the wash. Besides I don't want to be the only
greenhorn on the forum.


Regards,


Terry

The second most imortant (and often overlooked) thing in shaving, after having sharp razor, is the skin pulling. Watch the way your hair grows, go with the grain, and pull the skin...

Nenad

It will indeed take your face some time to adjust to having a sharp razor being scraped across its skin. The same thing happened to me.

I also had trouble with the chin/neck area. So much so that my shaves for the first couple of months took between 30 - 45 minutes. I've got them down to about 25 - 30 now. Stick with it. The irritation on your chin and neck with lessen as your face adjusts. It took mine about 2/3 weeks of everyday shaving. Trust me, it will get better.

I've learned that there are two (among others) really important things required to learn the art of straight razor shaving...persistance and patience.

Keep at it and good luck.

Jeff

Keep at it, it will get better. Stretching my neck is real important for getting a close comfortable, irritation free shave. I also lead with the heel of the razor on parts of my neck. Play around with different angles and you'll find what works best for you.

Everyones grain is different so what works for some people may not work for you so you have to find your own way. Personally, I tilt my head back and pull the skin to the side I'm shaving from about an inch and a half under my jawbone. First pass I go from chin downwards (with the grain) and then for the second pass, reverse hands (left hand for right side of face and vice versa) and do adams apple upwards. Its easy to lose track of the razor angle whilst doing all this so keep that in mind too. After that its just practice.

First thing, give yourself a day off. The first few straight shaves are actually slightly traumatic for most guys faces. That's the way it is. An extra day for the skin to recuperate is important. You'll eventualy find ways to get the job done in the fewest number of passes, which will be easiest on the skin.

On stretching the skin, LOTS.

On prep, LOTS. It is called wet shaving after all so make sure! Good and slick is the way to avoid irritation. I use Ambrisia shave cream from Lush which is unbelieveably smooth. There are other ultra slick products out there which you might want to look into as well.

X

I shave my neck exactly like Rich Z. From the adams apple up and then reverse and then from adams apple to ear. I think the chin and neck is the hardest area for many of us to shave. Dont forget to stretch the skin. I never have had a problem with the sides of my face because that is the easiest place to shave and the toughest skin. The place that I am usually the least happy with the results just below my lower lip. I must have a cowlick there, but some sideways shaving will take care of that.

Do not go back to the electric razor. In fact make it a gift to a Sanitary Engineer. If you feel you need to give your face a rest, use a DE or track 2 or a gillette atra. Please dont lower to the expensive 3 or 4 blade money grabing, nonsense systems. And NEVER use a disposable.

Stay the course and remember; Practice, Practice, Practice. But do your practice with both hands. DON'T GIVE UP!