Jaw and Neck

[Blorkin]

So this is my first post here and Badger and Blade. My current set up is a Parker 45R Heavyweight Razor, Shark Super Chrome Blades, Taylor of Old Bond Sandalwood Shaving Cream, and a Tweezerman badger hair brush. To start I have shaved 4 times. The first time I shaved it was ok. The second time was a little bit better than ok. The third time I was good, what I did differently was to apply pressure; yes I know I was not supposed to do this but the only side effect was a closer shave but not what I want. So today I changed up my grip on the razor (used essentially no pressure) and got a wonderful (BBS, on the face) shave, I believe that is because I went against the grain (which for some reason is a lot faster than going with the grain). My one and only problem is the skin right under the jaw and the rest of the neck. I cannot get it smooth, I assume with practice this will occur, but I would still like advice. I find that it is hard to keep a perfect angle when shaving my neck WTG (ATG is easier). Another thing I am wondering is how to get a better WTG shave all over.
Thank You,
Blorkin

[touchdowntodd]

same issue myself, and near every newbie are having

i cant wait to read replies

[mr. s]

Practice, yes. That is the key, but only if you are thinking about what you need to remember.

Blade angle. This is very important, and just comes with time.

Grain direction. Everyone is different, but when you really understand your own face, it will make a world of difference.

Lather. More often than not, my personal newb trouble was a poor lather.

Pressure. You will learn what you need with time. In this sense, less is more. Don't want a BBS if it is going to tear you up and not let you shave the next day.

You may find that there are spots that will never get complete BBS, or at least for some time. Some are lucky, but others of us have those problem spots where our hair swirls in the wrong spot, or something of that nature. Again, it is about learning your equipment and your face.

Gentlemen, best of luck with your shaving. Enlightenment is just around the corner.

[BigMick]

Practice, yes. That is the key, but only if you are thinking about what you need to remember.

I have learned shaving is a bit like shooting. If you practice bad technique you will never improve.

Pay attention to what works and what doesn't. Adjust until you find what works, then remember that and consciously do that every time.

What I found works best on my jaw line is to twist my head and stretch the skin so the razor has a flat, kinda, surface to work on.

[Foyle]

Be patient. If this is only your fourth shave you're doing pretty well. Technique is everything. Just keep at it paying attention to no pressure, blade angle and grain direction.

Also, BBS is not really what you should be shooting for. You should be shooting for an irritation free shave. BBS just sort of happens but its not what your goal should be.

It may take a few months before you're getting consistently great shaves. You'll have days between now and then where things just aren't falling into place. Don't get discouraged.

[wulfgar1976]

I recommend stretching for problematic areas like the neck and jaw. The idea is to flatten the area you are shaving so that the razor can pass more easily, reduce the density of the beard so that the razor will not skip and have the hairs lie less flat so that the razor can cut them head on and mow them down for a closer shave. Experimentation will reveal the best way to apply stretching to improve your shave.

I stretch my skin to shave my neck, my jawline, chin and moustache areas and it makes all the difference.

[simon1]

I have the same problem underneath my jaw and on my lower neck. I never get BBS on the lower neck, just DFS as if I push it I get razor burn. I've found that under my lower lip and on my chin (another problem area for some) that a WTG and XTG will clean it up nicely without doing ATG. Under the jaw line I stretch the skin up over the jawbone a bit to get a flat surface, and some blade buffing and j-hooking helps. And pay close attention to your angle in the problem areas until your muscle memory develops.

I recommend stretching for problematic areas like the neck and jaw. The idea is to flatten the area you are shaving so that the razor can pass more easily, reduce the density of the beard so that the razor will not skip and have the hairs lie less flat so that the razor can cut them head on and mow them down for a closer shave. Experimentation will reveal the best way to apply stretching to improve your shave.

I stretch my skin to shave my neck, my jawline, chin and moustache areas and it makes all the difference.

+1 Watch some straight shaving videos on youtube and see how they stretch with their hand, an do the facial contortions (making the funny shaving faces thing ) to stretch the skin. I was using a straight before I went back to vintage safety razors (I learned to shave with a '40s style SS many years ago), but I don't stretch as much with a SE or DE as I do with a straight but I do stretch a little bit for the hard to get areas. And I don't switch hands with a SE or DE like I do with a straight.

Here's a couple of videos that show some basic skin stretching:

One shaving with one hand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4ak1lJgY4

And one shaving with both hands

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1741780429878#

[EucrisBoy]

I find that extending my chin and pulling at the lower part of my neck really helps with the stretching.

[Metalman]

I recommend stretching for problematic areas like the neck and jaw. The idea is to flatten the area you are shaving so that the razor can pass more easily, reduce the density of the beard so that the razor will not skip and have the hairs lie less flat so that the razor can cut them head on and mow them down for a closer shave. Experimentation will reveal the best way to apply stretching to improve your shave.

I stretch my skin to shave my neck, my jawline, chin and moustache areas and it makes all the difference.

I, too, have found stretching makes a difference. Making faces to flatten surfaces gives me a DFS with BBS in most areas. Stretching the skin gives me BBS everywhere, and pretty reliably. Stretch your skin opposite your grain and it'll make the hairs stand up better. For example, the grain of the growth of my hair on my cheek is downwards at a slight angle. I lightly pull the skin by my temple to tighten it. Then, I shave with almost no pressure. I give myself a 3-pass shave, WTG, XTG, and then ATG. I mostly use skin stretching for that final ATG pass.

[Metalman]

For the neck/jaw, stretch from below. Put your hand low on your neck near your chest and pull downwards while simultaneously putting your chin up.

[touchdowntodd]

im trying stretching today ... we shall see!

[Marine Dad]

My biggest problem was not applying enough lather. Also, stretching is highly recommended to achieve that BBS result.

[edorgon]

Same problem, which i think i've solved. i use an upward motion starting just underneath my chin from front-side to full front to other front-side -- with INCREDIBLY short, short strokes XTG. up to the sides and front of my chin. not sure if i explained that right, but last few time ONLY time in years I've had a BBS in that area without irritation.

[dogeatscat]

Jaw and neckline have been my problem areas for some time. I tried a couple of different DE razors and some blades and just ever seemed to have to get that area as smooth as I hoped. I have a cleft chin and a pretty bony face, so i never seemed to get just the right angle for the blade. I After a year of wetshaving, i tried SE razor and it did the trick. I always seem to get BBS around that area with little trouble. I'd advise you to try a SE razor, they are not expensive and see if that works for you.

[GDCarrington]

Welcome to the good ship B&B. Take a stroll on the promenade deck and enjoy the voyage.

We have a collection of threads that provide a wealth of information.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=71700

Always remember, relax but be vigilant when you shave!

[b0bp]

I've experienced the same problem. I was getting razor burn in some areas even with a single, light pass. I switched blades and found I got a better shave and was able to get three passes plus touch up with no burn. There's is something to be said for matching the right blade with the right razor for your skin.

[RayH]

I've been doing a 3 pass shave. For the jaw and neck For me it is generally north/south, south/north and then diagonal south/north on the neck. Then east/west on one side of the jaw and west/east on the other.
north/south=down
south/north=up
east/west-west/east=sideways

hope that makes sense. but as with every stroke use little or no pressure. I rarely if ever nick myself anymore unless I get careless.