Thread: Trouble going ATG on parts of my neck... Suggestions?

Gentlemen,

So, after several weeks of entering this journey, I've found myself a little perplexed and getting slight razor burn on my neck, but only going ATG, and only in the valley between my trachea the sides of my neck.

After mapping my facial hair, the pattern is something like this:



I have a beard that traces my jaw line, covers my chin and a mustache as well. I really only shave my cheeks and neck. On my cheeks, the pattern is straight down, so no issues there. On my neck, however, on my trachea the pattern goes straight down, but tapers smaller the further down I go. Everywhere else, it begins to grow to the sides, as indicated by the green arrows in my (crude) drawing. The areas I'm really having an issue with are circled in red. I can go WTG and XTG just fine with no irritation, but going against the grain either results in razor burn or non-BBS shaves.

For the record, I'm using a Geneva Cutlery Co. straight, 4/8 extra hollow round tip.

One question I have is do you think that switching to a razor with a curved spine, like this one would help?



My reasoning is that the blade will fit the contour of that valley better, resulting in less pressure and less strokes.

Any thoughts, folks?

I've always had problems with certain areas of my neck and to tell you the truth I've pretty much given up trying to get BBS on my entire neck. However, there are certain razors that seem to do the job. Why? I'm not sure but I guess it's a combination of size and shape and geometry which makes the razor more maneuverable and better able to get into tight areas. I know with a kamisori I have no issues at all getting the neck.

I have to agree with TBS above certain razors do better.. and certain spots are just a PITA

Things that have to come together just right for a successful pass..

1. The edge, this is number one on the list this has to be really really good not just sorta good
2. Your Technique must be up to the edge
3. The razor itself must be able to match #1 & #2
4. The conditions, basically the lather and the passes that came before have to be better than just OK

Thanks for the quick responses, gents.

Glen,

I know my lather is good (plenty wet, good cushion, blade moves very slick). Also, my WTG and XTG passes in these two spots are definitely comfortable (no tugging, skipping, etc.).

My edge SEEMS okay... though, even though it's shaving comfortably WTG and XTG (and even ATG on my cheeks), I still wonder if it could be better. Once I get my Norton set in (and, man, next Thursday REALLY needs to get here), I'm definitely going to see what can be done in the honing dept. to make a difference (with your videos playing all the while ). So far, this razor has only seen time on a DMT to remove some chips and a small crack, some 1k wet/dry paper and a LOOOONNNG time on my barber's hone and strop. Given all of that, I'm surprised it shaves so well.

As for my technique, well, I'm obviously still learning, but up until this last week or so, I haven't had an issue. I know something has changed for sure, it's just a process of elimination to figure out what, be it prep, edge, technique, blade geometry, etc.

By the way, I definitely want to thank you and everyone else here for being such a great community. All the knowledge and wisdom here is astounding, and I know I wouldn't have come as far as I have without you guys.

You have the right idea, you just keep adjusting one thing at a time and usually it will lead to success...

Yes, a smiling blade will help in the hollows of the neck . But changing equipment is not always a substitute for proper technique....

The red circled areas are also some of the toughest for me. I found a pulling stretch, toward the back of my neck is key to getting those areas. Oddly enough, in my case, both the right and left hollows respond best to pulling toward the right side. Early on I tried pulling the left side to the left and the results weren't good. Pulling toward the right did the trick I also have to manipulate the razor in a partially XTG, ATG direction. Not true straight up ATG but on an oblique angle to the vertical. Anyway ..... give it a shot.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Yes, a smiling blade will help in the hollows of the neck . But changing equipment is not always a substitute for proper technique....

I agree... Not a substitute, more of a crutch to help with muscle memory and reducing what irritation I have so that I can practice more.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Not true straight up ATG but on an oblique angle to the vertical. Anyway ..... give it a shot.

So, similar to scything?

As an aside, this is why I love this place... All you guys rock!

All I wanna do right now is go lather up.

I have a similar beard, probably smaller, very tough hairs. A low profile to start the stroke is necessary for me on the ATG. also, shorter strokes with good lather present are a must. Sometimes, a blade must "dig" to get through, but let it go through at it's own pace, as it were! Heavy growths are hard on blades! Always were, always will be!