Newbie long post - raze the neck hairs

[Jimmy Gee]

Hello all:

Been lurkin' around the site for a while and recently joined. I've been wet-shaving for ~3 months and am enjoying the experience with a lot of thanks to this site.

I used to wet-shave in my teens (canned stuff, ATRA razor) but had the usual razor bump and dry skin problems. I switched to electrics and had luck, on and off, for quite a while with Remington razors. Then things changed (possibly an age-thing) and my morning electric shaves degraded (irritation, dry flaky skin, bumps, etc...). So I decided to give wet-shaving another more formal go.

I'm still experimenting with blades (currently like the Derby) and have had good luck with making my own shave soap (mostly olive oil in a glycerin melt and pour base) that I apply with a boar brush (haven't bought the badger yet - need to keep the peace at home). I also recently acquired a slim Gillette adjustable that I like quite a bit and also use a Merkur (classic, not HD).

There's some background - now a question. With attention to technique, I can get a good shave on most all of my face except in an area from about my Adam's Apple down. My beard pattern is pretty typical (if typical really exists), except in that area where the growth changes 180 degrees. What's odd, is that I can't seem to get those hairs to stand up as well as the rest of my face. The hair lays almost completely flat even when using my brush to work the lather into the area (assuming this since I can't see through the lather). I've tried N-S passes in the area, and that only works some of the time. If I try too many passes, I risk razor-bump problems.

Can any one offer suggestions? I know more info may be needed.


BTW - mods and members - great site!!! I've learned a lot in a short time.

[rikrdo]

OKOKOKOKOKOK...

Semi-Newb here....4 months at it.

Stand by for more info than you can possibly absorb...NOT FROM ME !

Get over the N-S...S-N...
Focus on "with" and "against" the grain.
evrybuddy's grain is different and must be dealt with.
Ive found great success with 1pass "with" the grain
and 1pass "against" the grain.

There will be OVERwhelming advice coming in..YMMV.



And BTW, WELCOME !!

Take it easy and remember this...NO PRESSURE.
It really is the key..IMHO.

[_C_]

Skin stretching may be necessary. Try tugging at the skin a little in a direction that is directly opposite to the growth. It should make the hairs stand just enough to nab them.

[ada8356]

Jim,

I have issues in the same area and I deal with it in a few ways.

I shave this area differently than any other part of my face. A S-N pass is with-the-grain (WTG) in this area. I shave it S-N, then come back with a out-in pass on either side of the adam's apple.

This area is one of the most susceptible to irritation so a lot of times I call it quits at this point and have to be satisfied with a close but not BBS shave.

If I'm going for BBS my ATG pass is actually N-S with a slight out-in also. If I do this in short strokes with chin raised up (to stretch the skin) I can get a nice close shave.

Hope that ramble helped a little.

[Jim]

Welcome Jimmy!
It only gets better!

[boboakalfb]

Welcome Jimmy! The neck is the most problematic spot for people...stick with it and with some time you will find what works best for you.

[thestubblefactory]

Hi Jimmy,

My neck grain goes different directions in different spots as well. During the "normal stroke" shave I tread lightly in those areas- i.e. a very light touch. Fortunately I have an adjustable razor so I can dial it down quickly and easily during this. When I am done with my face and the parts of my neck that "behave" I then concentrate on the trouble spots. First I wet my finger to find them (I always forget). Then apply lather only on those spots and just around them. That way I can easily stretch my skin since the surrounding areas are not covered with lather. With stretching it raises the hairs enough to get a BBS shave.

[PalmettoB]

Welcome aboard, Jimmy! Glad you're here.

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome Jimmy!

[jduffy]

I agree with Chris. A little skin stretching goes a long way with regards to your neck.

Funny but I get the same feeling that grain of the whiskers on my neck is so severe that they feel like they're just about lying flat.

With your free hand and possibly using a wash cloth to get traction, give a little pull. You can test this out before you lather up to see if the hairs to pop up. Work the trick for me.

BTW greetings and look forward to hearing more from you.

[galopede]

(haven't bought the badger yet - need to keep the peace at home).

Welcome Jimmy

You could try pointing out how much 'er indoors spends on lotions and potions! If you dare ...

Gareth

[Jimmy Gee]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I'll try some "stretching" in the morning. I definitely want to keep at this. Even though my shaves aren't perfect, I am enjoying the whole process.

[_C_]

How rude of me! I left out the greeting on my post!

Welcome to the forums Jimmy!