I am currently only shaving WTG for two passes until I can get that down consistently well. However, I have a particularly problematic area on my neck that seems to be the nexus of my nicks. The stubble there grows in a swirl pattern. It's hard enough trying to shave WTG in that area. I can't say it is even truly WTG in that spot since the swirl and the size of the blade makes that impossible so I try to make my pass over it anything but ATG. If it is difficult now, I can't imagine how it will be when I go for my XTG and ATG passes. Does anyone else have the stubble swirl problem? Any ideas or insights into how to overcome it? :think002
I also have problems in the neck and under the chin, perhaps because his beard grows in a different way ... I try to spend more 'times at the point you need, sometimes with good results ...
I even mapped out the direction my stubble grows on different parts of my face. I think I will try to shave in a sort of diagonal pass that will be between a WTG direction and a XTG direction. Perhaps that way I won't irritate that area. I will post the results of that tomorrow.
That swirl pattern is going to be tricky. I think that Williams Warrior / Keith has the same problem. Perhaps he will drop by and share his thoughts. Perhaps you may be able to combine standard wet shaving materials with the cutting patterns from method shaving to solve some of your problems?
Jeff is correct that I've got that swirl on the right side of my neck. The only thing that has worked is to go very lightly over the area, and lather the area again and hit it at a different angle. Then repeat, etc... The key is a multitude of angles and absolutely no pressure. It still won't be completely bbs but dfs. Hope this helps.
Swirls can be very tricky, I am lucky enough to have the same problem on the right side of my neck, and I'm sure there are many others who have swirls patterns too. My shave consists of two north to passes, which I call WTG even though on my neck they aren't, then I work from the bottom of the neck upwards. This will consist of J-Hooking around the swirl area, with many changes of direction, as I work around the swirl. Mapping out the problem area was a good idea, and trying to work on the diagonal may be the best was to handle it, as the neck area can be very sensitive.
My neck has always been problematic in this regard. The hair grows in all sorts of directions. I do one N-S, a S-N, and an outside in pass. To get BBS I have to follow with a bunch of blade buffing. I just stick to three pass DFS most of the time.
I'm also suffering from a swirl pattern right neck area. I will take the advice to hold off on the pressure and slow down. Lately it's been looking like I have unsuccessful suicidal tendencies…. Daily.
Ok. So the diagonal approach did not work so well. The stinging of the "My Nik is Sealed" is still reminding me of that fact. I am not totally convinced though that the diagonal pass is to blame. I am pretty sure it is me still figuring out how to handle the razor when going sideways and upside down. It is hard to know what angle to put the razor at and to keep it at that angle, but I guess that just comes with practice.
I found I had to simply do trial and error. I first found what direction worked for a first pass without irritation. Then I worked at finding a direction for a second pass. I continued until I made enough passes to get satisfied with the closeness without getting irritation. For me that's 4 passes on my neck (I do 3 elsewhere). It is, unfortunately, a slow process.
The Method Shaving pattern passes work are designed to get a BBS shave and minimize irritation without having to pay attention to grain. The shaving patterns work well with or without the specialized Method Shaving products. Enchante.com has a download of what they call the Method Shaving Cutting Forms showing the direction of the passes and mantic has a couple of youtube demonstration videos as well. The cutting forms worked for the swirl patterns on my neck and I've had no problems after 5 or 6 years of using them for DE shaving. Hope it helps some! Method Shaving Cutting Patterns http://www.enchanteonline.com/pages/faqs/cuttingforms.pdf mantic video pay no attention to specialized terms or products http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VxFXpdLvG0
I have 2 swirls patches one on each side of my lower neck. I start at my neck line and go down at a slight angle down my neck and it works but sometimes it does give me some hassle. I found using a more aggressive razor (i.e. gem 1912 or New) then the following day a milder razor (i.e. Super Speed or Tech) and doing a rotation like that helps too. Not sure why exactly but it does help.
