Thread: Grain Trouble

Most of my neck's grain is horizontal, from my left toward my right, and I can't find a good way to shave it. XTG didn't get it close, so I looked for WTG and ATG strokes but I can't find a position that seems both safe and effective. I've settled on multiple XTGs, but it still doesn't seem to get the job done right. Is there something I'm missing? Is it just my razor?

I haven't found a way that is "safe and effective" either. I've settled for safe and just do the ATG pass, and that gets it close enough for me. I like my arteries just the way they are, not spurting blood.

That too is my most difficult area, followed closely by my chin area.

For the neck, I just do two passes right now: WTG on pass one, and AGT on pass two. I don't really need to be super smooth on my neck at this point, just as long as there isn't long hair there to scratch or itch me.

At this point, I'd rather get it "pretty close" with no irritation rather than attempt a SMOOTH shave and cut/irritate the skin at this point.

I should preface by saying I'm a beginner though with only about 6 shaves under my belt.

Same problem here. But I've got better results recently by making sure I stretch the skin very carefully. In some spots it's more helpful to stretch the skin in front of the blade, and make short strokes to avoid cutting fingers! Other places I pull the skin from behind the blade. I've had good progress using an alternate grip on the razor for that weird spot under the ear and behind the jaw. Check the wiki for alternate grip diagrams. I think they're listed there.

Zith,

The hair on my neck is a real pain WRT the direction of growth.

There is a large patch where the hairs grow in all directions, and the skin in this this patch gets irritated very easily.

I tend to use a 45 degree scything motion, which works fine.

As has been said in the posts above, I err on the side of safe and comfortable

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

It may seem challenging now, but the answer likely lies in the technique and additional practice. I too have hair growth in all directions. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself during the learning process.

Pabster

Hi, this video by jockeys really helped me with shaving my neck. The "opening the scales" technique that he demonstrates at the end of part two might seem a bit strange at first, but with a really light touch it works well.

Shaving videos - Straight Razor Place Wiki