current wet shave frustration

[willyb]

So ive been wet shaving for a few months now, and feel i have a decent hold on technique in regards to knowing hair growth direction, no pressure etc.......

Current routine is a careful prep with brush and COBigleow proraso cream before a few passes with superspeed, redtip, or new standard.

Cheeks, under nose and around mouth and chin are always BBS with only WTG and 1 final ATG with a few minor touchups.

The problem is my neck, when im done shaving, it looks good, no nicks or irritation to speak of.. but I can still feel stubble particularly on one side of my neck. Also, i can feel some irritation on neck, but nothing that can be "seen"
The hair on the problem side seems to grow at a very shallow angle (nothing near straight out or down) but more to the side.
From you wet shave DE pros i seek advice, my only issue is my neck, not colarbone area, but up higher under jaw bones on each side. thanks

 

[wulfgar1976]

The neck is often a problem area. If I were to get my neck completely smooth every day, it would be at the cost of irritating it. On that basis, I just make it acceptable most days and if I can get it completely smooth, that's a bonus.

One of Mantic's videos on YouTube shows the J-hook technique, which can work well for neck hairs. Stretching your skin can also help, but it will increase the likelihood of shaving rash.

 

[Den]

I always had issues getting a BBS on my neck until I bought an Open Comb. I didn't want to spend much as it was my first so I went with the Merkur 15C. The 11C, 12C and 1904 Classic Open Comb have the same head. I don't regret my purchase at all since it's the only razor that really takes care of those trouble spots. There's some Open Combs for sale on the BST right now. Have a look.

 

[ImaWestie]

I always had issues getting a BBS on my neck until I bought an Open Comb. I didn't want to spend much as it was my first so I went with the Merkur 15C. The 11C, 12C and 1904 Classic Open Comb have the same head. I don't regret my purchase at all since it's the only razor that really takes care of those trouble spots. There's some Open Combs for sale on the BST right now. Have a look.

Stretched skin and a straight razor worked for me much better than a DE. I'm a total novice with both.

 

[Luc]

A different razor might help you. Open Comb is a good recommendation.

 

[beginish]

In that tough area, you might want to try shaving XTG in two passes, changing the direction on the second pass. If the hairs are at a steep angle, the WTG and ATG passes will be tough to get right.

 

[Rivguy]

A different razor might help you. Open Comb is a good recommendation.

I agree. You may also want to try different blades and angles. I will sometimes have difficulty in that area and find that a fourth pass at a different angle does it for me. For me, it depends on the razor that I am using that day. Stay with it and your will be rewarded when you find the right combination that works for you.

Regards,

Doug

 

[DE Shaver]

Wet shaving skills take some time to develop. In addition to the advice given on this thread, try stretching the neck area skin a little as well.

 

[BlackBard]

I find that it is more difficult to keep the proper angle of the razor head when shaving my neck, particularly when going WTG (North to South). I listen for the sound of whiskers being cut to help gauge the angle.

Stretching the skin, as has been recommended, also helps.

 

[bordeaaj]

You might try whats known as a polishing pass with oil or glycerin as your "touch up" or finishing pass. That's where you take a 4 or 5 drops of glycerin or shave oil (olive oil, safflower oil, whatever you have in the cupboards will do) and spread it on the problem area while still wet to provide lubrication. Then shave gently in whatever direction seems to pick up those last few whiskers without while protecting you from razor burn from too many passes. You should be able to get them without stretching the skin this way...skin stretching can lead to ingrown hairs in some people, myself included. This method is described in Leisureguys Guide to Gourmet Shaving and works great (I have the same problem you describe). If you don't have the book it's full of helpful information and you can get it cheap on Amazon. Hope that helps a little!