Hi everyone,

I posted a thread a while back but I think something was up with the site or with my computer, so I don't think it ever really got posted properly. In any case, I think it was somewhat rambling and incoherent anyway, so I'm just going to try to post an abridged version.

Been DE shaving for about a month now. My neck is definitely looking better than before, but there's still some significant enough irritation that ideally I would like to be gone entirely.

The biggest problem that I'm encountering is the area from my jawline down to maybe the middle of my neck. The lower part of my neck I'm finding relatively easy, because it's a flat surface I guess, and the hair's not as thick/rough, so it tends to disapper relatively easily and leaves minimal irritation. Also my cheeks/face have never been an issue - I fee like I could scrape a piece of jagged rock over my face and I still wouldn't have irritation.

I guess the problem is that the area where I am most prone to irritation is also the area where I'm having a lot of trouble getting rid of the hair. I shave my face no problem, but then when I tackle the area starting at the jawline and down, it seems like I'll lather up, run the razor over my skin, and it doesn't even seem like it's really getting rid of the hair. Maybe a tiny bit, but then I'll have a look in the mirror, and the area's far from smooth. Is this a common problem for new DE shavers? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I kind of taught myself to shave, so maybe I've just never really understood how to shave this area properly.

I have been trying to shave with the grain here, it mostly seems to grow down but in some places but fans out to the side horizontally in some areas - where this is the case I find it extremely awkward to shave with the grain, what with the razor and my hand being so close to the crook of my chin and having to shave outward horizontally.

I might try some sharper blades - maybe feathers. The most pleasant surprise with the whole experience has been that I rarely ever cut myself, so maybe I'll give a really sharp blade a whirl.

Anyway that's about it. Also I want to get some shaving supplies shipped to Canada soon - what's the best site for that?

Thanks a million,

-Ralph