Thread: Need help with ATG pass on neck

Hey guys, I've successfully made it through my first two full shaves with no bleeding or nicks. I am experiencing some burn, which I suspect will go away as my technique (angle, pressure, etc) gets better. What I need help with is my ATG pass on the right side of my neck. My hair grows from my Adam's apple towards my right ear. I'm finding it difficult to find a way to attack my neck that starts around my ear and goes diagonally towards the bottom, middle portion of my neck. A standard up stroke straight towards my jaw line doesn't get me a real close shave. Any pointers and/or pictures would be much appreciated!

-Brad

I would suggest either scything or guillotine strokes, playing around with blade grips and stretching will help too, but whatever you try take it slowly.

You could perform two up strokes in this area to remove as much stubble as possible and minimise irritation. You could then follow up with an XTG pass. Perhaps this will negate the need for an ATG pass altogether, or at the least give you an acceptably close shave. Experiment (albeit carefully) with skin stretching and blade angles until you find what works for you. Take your time. It will all come together. Good shaving! Cheers.

I have the same problem. Same side and growth direction. I actually have to put my chin down so that I will not have a deep facet that my blade cannot get to since it doesn't have a smile edge, and then stretch with my left hand close to my adam's apple and pull towards my left and go ATG. maybe also try stretching the skin between two fingers of your left hand when going ATG being very careful not to hit a finger. Those spots are one of my tuffest besides my two crowns on my head that seems to grow in a circle.

Brad: I have the same beard map as you on both sides of my neck. I can only get a BBS shave with ATG passes also, VERY challenging.
For me I use my left hand on the right side, standard grip and start my strokes on the neck back by the ear just under the jawline. The biggest problem is that I really can't use my other hand to effectively stretch the skin due to the crossing of the hands so I just turn my head to the left and raise my chin as high as I can. The stroke then starts high just under my earlobe and proceeds diagonally down towards my Adams Apple. Since I can't stretch the skin very well it takes a wicked sharp edge and a very light touch with a very slick lather to accomplish this. I didn't acquire enough skill to pull this off until I had about 75 shaves under my belt and learned how to hone.

Up until then I used a north to south pass with my right hand and a south to north pass with my left hand and then a set of scything strokes going from just under my chin back towards my ear using my right hand on my right side.
The ATG passes described above are my most difficult and mastering them without nicks and irritation was a great challenge for me. I hope these descriptions will help you to achieve your goal, remember to take it slow and build your skill set one move at a time. A BBS shave is a journey built at ones own pace.

FrankC

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I would suggest either scything or guillotine strokes, playing around with blade grips and stretching will help too, but whatever you try take it slowly.

With a little practice this is very effective.
I have used a "windshield wiper" stoke using the adams apple as the pivot point for instance.

Stretching and buffing...note the direction of the growth and use your thumb and forefinger to pull opposite the growth direction so that you try to stand the hairs upright.
Using a short buffing stroke in between your outstretched thumb and forefinger.
The problem with the neck is many times the hair comes out almost parallel to the skin so its hard to catch.

You will find that with the good view doing an ATG on the neck can be very effective once you find a combo that works.
As edhewitt notes, take it slow, it is a style and technique thing and there is not a "brut force" solution.
And avoid the temptation to repeat again and again - its irritation at the least and nicks and cuts to follow.

And before you know it this will be a "I can't believe this used to be a problem" thing...

Smooth shaving...

Downward scything stroke.
Put the tang under your chin and sweep the blade from your jawline down to your adam's apple.
Move down about and inch or so and repeat.
Stretching your skin by tilting your head back and away from the cutting side will also help, but you also won't be able to see the blade very well - try it with a round point instead of a spike point first.

I would not worry about ATG passes in the neck area, or in any area for that matter, this early in the game. For goodness sake, you are only two or so shaves into the game. I have only been shaving with a SR about eight months and I only do ATG once in a while. A DFS is usually sufficient for me and a BBS really not necessary unless I have something special coming up or, I just feel like doing it! I would wait until you have many more shaves under your belt and feel more comfortable with your razor and edge angle control. Lighten up! A DFS is mighty fine. It will come to you. Give it time. A BBS is overated IMO.


Mike

I'm with Mglindo two shaves in and your trying for perfection , take it easy ,, heck most of the times one pass shave will suffice. Tc

Thanks for all of the feedback and suggestions guys. I will definitely continue to take it slow. I'm not sure I'm ready for scything yet. I will admit that I get excited and love to try and master something or fix a problem ASAP. I'm learning you just can't do that with straight razor shaving. It takes time to learn and develop skill. I'll continue my WTG, North to South and South to North passes for now until I feel more comfortable. I also need to get my stropping technique down better.