Neck Bear Growth

[chuck81]

My neck beard grows prodigiously thick. As a result, I usually end up with irritation there.
Well, in an effort to eliminate the irritation--the reason I started wetshaving in the first place--I mapped out my beard growth on my neck. Surprise surprise, it grows horizontally out toward either shoulder on that respective side. Turns out, I've been shaving XTG (down), ATG (out to in horizontally), WTG (in to out) on my neck. Considering this, I've been getting some pretty nice shaves. I can't wait until my neck heals in a day or two to put my new-found knowledge to good use. I can't believe I've never noticed this before. Boy, is my face (and neck) red!

[arghblech]

I'm pretty terrified of Neck Bears!

[chuck81]

Dang it!
Well, you should be. It's Spring, you know, and they are just now waking from hibernation. These fearsome creatures are hungry and looking to mate, which makes them very ornery.

And my neck bear grows at an alarming rate.

[Dusty1]

I totally understand, I'm the same way. Actually my right side grows slightly upward, and I have to shave it differently from the left or I get all kinds of irritation and in-grown hairs.

[chuck81]

Yes! The weirdest part is, I get the worst irritation on the edges of my growth line on my lower neck. Maybe the razor is cutting the skin since there isn't much hair there?

[Scottyb06]

I have a similar issue. On my third pass (against the grain), I perform a 'J hook' as demonstrated by Mantic on his YouTube channel (I think the video is called 'advanced techniques' or something like that). By doing the J hook and not going ATG on my neck, I get a VERY close shave with little to no irritation. Hope this helps!

[chuck81]

Thanks Scotty. Welcome to B&B

[bonfire]

I'm pretty terrified of Neck Bears!

I just fell out of my chair! That was funny!

Chuck, my "neck bear" grows the same. Makes it difficult to use a straight.... somthing which I still haven't quite mastered. Its hard to pull the blade sideways on your neck. Especially with my off hand.

[Calnell]

I was in the same boat until I did a neck mapping. Good luck on the next shave!

[chuck81]

I got too excited and just had a shave for the second day in a row, a big no no for me. Face lathered with an Omega Boar and Conk Amber. Long story short, SAS with a Wilkinson on it's 3rd go, chewed me up a decent amount. Should've gone with a new Derby and Omega soap.

[taco8slo]

Oh man, that neck bear bit you again, sorry to hear it

[AndrewK.]

I remember my first 2 DE shaves chewing up my neck. I thought tug and pull was normal coming from a Fusion. Now I know that that sort of blade feedback means stop and try and different direction. The grain on my neck is swirled like a corkscrew. I thought it would be rather difficult to follow this in a consistent fashion with a Merkur 38C in my hand so I just tried going the opposite direction as I had been going when I got chewed out and it turned out nice and smooth. Never had a problem since and have the directions that go 'WTG' all mapped out. It's pretty straightforward but sometimes a little trial and error is needed when grain gets funny or even if for some strange reason what you think is 'WTG' doesn't work out in practice. I do 2 passes 'WTG' with couple touch ups around goatee area where the hair is a bit stubborn and I go light and easy on my neck. Just enough light pressure so that I see where the blade is wiping the cream/soap clean away and adjust from there as desired. I don't feel the need for anything fancy like the ATG and XTG stuff. Too many chances for error and my skin is kind of like...well just imagine an inflated ballon. Kind of sensitive. I've seen some shave vids and think wow that guy must have leather for skin lol. Also, if you have a thick beard think 'beard reduction' not 'get it all clean off in one pass'. Prep is huge important too. Now that I use good creams and soaps, I use my Nivea canned goo as a beard pre soak in the shower. Every little bit helps and your skin will thank you.

[chuck81]

I thought tug and pull was normal coming from a Fusion. Now I know that that sort of blade feedback means stop and try and different direction.

Great advice.

[smalltank]

the longer you wait..the more your face makes of its own natural "lubricant" to be easily removed with its hair

[Straight Rasier User]

After I mapped my face, I was surprised how my beard grew too. And it did make it better.

And it has made a difference.

And Prep.

[fraue]

you live you learn

[Prof. Moriarty]

Please Mods, make this a custom title. "I'm afraid of Neck Bears" is definitely worthy.

[Useless shaver]

Please Mods, make this a custom title. "I'm afraid of Neck Bears" is definitely worthy.

+1000

Please!

[vitalMyth]

when my neckbear gets loose from his confinement he tends to get a bit cheeky. true story below:

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lojtl3TJ671qlr140o1_500.gif

[jonty]

I got too excited and just had a shave for the second day in a row, a big no no for me. Face lathered with an Omega Boar and Conk Amber. Long story short, SAS with a Wilkinson on it's 3rd go, chewed me up a decent amount. Should've gone with a new Derby and Omega soap.

same here its just to hard not to try and shave when youve got new toys to try out lol.

[Snargle]

This is a great example of how important it is to map out your beard. Whether it's sketched out on paper or just from memory, knowing how your facial and neck hairs grow is probably one of the most critical factors in achieving consistently high-quality shaves.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[mistervee123]

Great advice. The beard grain on my neck is a hodge-podge of different directions, requiring A) a Beard Map here's the LINK (http://sharpologist.com/2010/07/interactive-face-map.html), and B) the use of Mantic59's advanced techniques, and here's the LINK FOR THAT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQco5PWc2JU).

[JD.E.]

I can only imagine haveing a little irritation when you have to shave one of these things.....

233530

I mean, around the jaw line is always tough to get the angle perfect, but I couldn't even imagine all the tricky spots when you're trying to shave that thing!