I'm still new to the game and have only been shaving with a DE for a few weeks. I finally got my brush early this week, so switching from foam to shave soap has really helped. Anyway, my technique is decent for my face and I have been happy with the results. However, I can't seem to get a close shave around my neck area for some reason. I've been mixing it up and doing different passes and trying different things, but have resorted to doing the last pass with a supermarket variety razor on the neck to get close. I've been using a 60's Gillette Slim Adjustable set at around 5 with Astra blades. Any tips?
Have you been trying the Cross The Grain (XTG) technique? Read here... http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72 I was having issues myself right up until I began using the XTG technique as my second pass! Hope this helps!
Which way does your hair grow on your neck? Mine grows from front to back diagonally, so I have to pull my neck skin up and shave from back to front in order to get a BBS...
Great tips so far. Once you find the direction of the grain, you can try what I do - I make four passes on my neck: 1 WTG, 1 XTG, 1 ATG. The fourth pass is really a J-Hook touch up pass. Mind you, this is not for everyone. Not that I'm a super stud with leather skin, just that some folks have more sensitive skin and can only make two passes. I just do what I can get away with. You'll have to find what works for you.
I normally do 3 passes and some blade buffing on the neck when I want bbs. Honestly, most of the time I am just too lazy do the two or three pass DFS.
I agree with all above.. try the XTG pass...one thing that I do is use Witch Hazel for a touch up pass on neck. Just splash on some and do a XTG pass to clean up the problem areas... works great for me.
I am also fairly inexperienced at this, but despite everything yesterday I successfully achieved what I hoped. With super lame iridium (fantastic !!!!) I had a perfect shave with 2 passes (against the grain and hair) of course going with great caution ... I am also in part under more 'difficulty' in shaving, maybe the hair too hard, or maybe 'a question of hand ...
A good tip I got for my neck, and someone may have said this already... The hairs grow in too many different directions for me to stress over WTG XTG and ATG... Do a north to south pass, a sideways/scything pass, and a south to north pass... Touch up as necessary. Give that a try
approach the next slowly and watch the angle and pay close attention to the direction of growth in that area... *i'm just repeating what everyone tells me... i'm also still trying to master the neck area
The neck and it's mysteries Only a month into this adventure, and the neck is something that requires alot of finesse. But - I still can't get more than WTG and XTG without really bad ingrown hairs/bumps on my neck. Hoping practice will be the key.
neck is always tricky. at the end of my shave I usually apply light lather and run my left hand across my neck trying to go against the hair growth. that seems to stand hairs up then follow with the razor. it works for me
My Neck is a Wreck I have a very heavy beard and very sensitive skin. I get a BBS shave on my face, nose and chin aream but my neck had always left me wanting. While it is very important to figure out how your hair grows on your neck, it is also just as important to have the proper blade angle. You can have the best razor, superior blades, awesome soap or cream, but if your blade isn't angled properly you won't get a BBS neck and/or face. Take your time. I go south to north, north to south and side to side. I pay attention to my blade angle and go very slow. Let the razor do the work. Avoid applying pressure to your face and you'll finally get the BBS shave on your neck that we all desire. Good Luck!
My neck requires a bit of stretching using an XTG and ATG pass with some buffing to get the desired results with most razors. The easiest way I've found to get those hard to do areas, simply is a GEM razor or Merkur slant, no stretching or buffing required.
