I am still having minor problems with my neck area; even after four passes, and pretty much getting at least DFS's on my face, my neck is still not getting the same quality shave. I can get a DFS on my neck, but the lower neck area will be irritated(neck burn). I'm keeping my face well hydrated between passes, and am careful to use plenty of lather(I face lather), but still have the irritation problem. Right now I can feel my face, and it feels BBS, but my neck is not close, and I can feel irritation in that area, even after the shave isn't nearly as close as my face. I got a little less irritation w/ Iridium's, but not much. Should I try a pre-shave? Is it the Col Conk soap? Should I concentrate a little more prep w/ hot towel on that area? Should I be taken out and shot?! Should I try adding soap to the pre-shave/towel routine?
Neck Issues
- Thread starter wilsondude
- Start date
I gave up getting a BBS on my neck. It's not worth the potential risk of irritation and ingrowns. So I only do 2 passes on my neck and settle for "good-enough".
You may be more committed than me, though.
For what it's worth, when I use my straight I am able to do about 4 passes with no irritation, and I get a closer shave on my neck. The DE seems to be somewhat harsher on that area than my straight.
You may be more committed than me, though.
For what it's worth, when I use my straight I am able to do about 4 passes with no irritation, and I get a closer shave on my neck. The DE seems to be somewhat harsher on that area than my straight.
I have recently discovered I can only go ATG on my neck once every 3 or 4 days or else I get the iteration. Due to time constrainsts the past couple weeks I have been shaving every 4-5 day as opposed to the every other day I had been. When I waited longer I found I had significantly less iteration, everything else being equal. I have decided to only try ATG on my neck once week. My neck is the only place I consistently have issues too.
For a pre-shave, I'd recommend pure Jojoba oil. It will keep your skin moisturized and provide some added lubrication on your skin. It's also non-comedogenic, so it won't make you break out.
Second, I would ditch the Conk in favor of a good lather shaving cream. You may also want to experiment with bowl lathering, especially if you are using a scratchy brush.
Second, I would ditch the Conk in favor of a good lather shaving cream. You may also want to experiment with bowl lathering, especially if you are using a scratchy brush.
- Thread starter
- #5
I've really been wondering about pre-shave oils - the idea makes sense. Yes, the scratchy Col Conk brush will be replaced soon, either w/ an EJ Silvertip Chat to match my razor, or a Shavemac. I don't have any problem buying a quality soap or cream(only used cream 3 times while travelling) - and I've never tried bowl lathering. Can I get some Tabac soap, microwave it, and pour it in a container, or is that a no-no? What about Tabac cream? Where can I get the oil?
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The neck area seems to be a really rough place to get BBS. At least it is for me. The BBS is a hard to get shave anyway, so I usually settle for a CCS or the DFS when it comes along.
I've found that Mantic's videos have been very helpful. Especially doing the blade buff, J-hook, and the Gillette slide.
I've also started using a straight razor, and as my technique improves with the straight I find it easier to get nice and close on my neck.
I've found that Mantic's videos have been very helpful. Especially doing the blade buff, J-hook, and the Gillette slide.
I've also started using a straight razor, and as my technique improves with the straight I find it easier to get nice and close on my neck.
DO NOT MICROWAVE TABAC! For that matter, don't microwave any soap that is not one of the so-called "glycerine-based" or noted as a "melt-and-pour" base. Microwaving (or double-boiler melting) a tallow soap is a sure recipe for disaster. I think the same goes for most milled soaps. For those, if you want to change the container, hand-mill the soap with a cheese grater and mix in a little bit of water, then press it into the new container.
Pre-shave oil can be found in several online retailers. I use both Pacific Shave and T&H Ultimate Comfort oil. I hear that you can often find "Shave Secret" brand PSO at places like Wal-Mart, Walgreens or Target (in the USA).
I don't know where to get the Tabac cream, though.
HTH!
The hairs on the lower part of my neck are lying flat on some parts.
When lathering up, I stretch my neck to the max to make sure the lather isn't also stretched (getting thinner) when passing with the razor. This way I get max glide and the razor doesn't bump.
I go very light over the neck on every pass and on the last pass and touch ups, I'll do some J-hooking (look at the video's of Mantic) to catch the lowering-the-heads suckers.
When lathering up, I stretch my neck to the max to make sure the lather isn't also stretched (getting thinner) when passing with the razor. This way I get max glide and the razor doesn't bump.
I go very light over the neck on every pass and on the last pass and touch ups, I'll do some J-hooking (look at the video's of Mantic) to catch the lowering-the-heads suckers.
Wilson, you can get Jojoba oil at your local Whole Foods, health food or vitamin store. The brand I have is called "Desert Essence" but any brand should be fine. Don't buy pre-shave oils in tiny little bottles, those are a ripoff. This oil was $7 for a 4oz bottle.
DO NOT MICROWAVE TABAC OR ANY TRIPLE MILLED SOAP! You will ruin it and make a mess. The only soaps that can be microwave are glycerin based melt 'n pour soaps like Conk, VDH, Mama Bear, etc. If you're not sure whether or not a certain brand can be microwaved DO NOT do it. Just use a cheese grater to make it into shreds to fit into any bowl you want.
I've never tried Tabac cream so I can't help you there. I wouldn't try microwaving any brand of shave cream if I were you. If you want a good shaving cream, one of the English creams like Taylor's is a good bet. If you need something locally right now, you can go to Art of Shaving or The Body Shop if there is one near you. Also, Real Shaving Company shave cream at Rite Aid is also quite good, but make sure you get the tube that says "lather" on it. Do not buy the gel, it won't work with a brush.
Also, be very careful with skin stretching. Overstretching will cause ingrown hairs. I would advise trying to shave without stretching at all.
DO NOT MICROWAVE TABAC OR ANY TRIPLE MILLED SOAP! You will ruin it and make a mess. The only soaps that can be microwave are glycerin based melt 'n pour soaps like Conk, VDH, Mama Bear, etc. If you're not sure whether or not a certain brand can be microwaved DO NOT do it. Just use a cheese grater to make it into shreds to fit into any bowl you want.
I've never tried Tabac cream so I can't help you there. I wouldn't try microwaving any brand of shave cream if I were you. If you want a good shaving cream, one of the English creams like Taylor's is a good bet. If you need something locally right now, you can go to Art of Shaving or The Body Shop if there is one near you. Also, Real Shaving Company shave cream at Rite Aid is also quite good, but make sure you get the tube that says "lather" on it. Do not buy the gel, it won't work with a brush.
Also, be very careful with skin stretching. Overstretching will cause ingrown hairs. I would advise trying to shave without stretching at all.
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National Razor,
+1...I agree wholeheartedly! Everyone is different, but I do not enjoy shaving my neck BBS. I have had razor bumps on my neck my whole life and just conquered that beast a few months ago with the help of a DE and a very meticulous prep, pre and post shave.
Here is it...
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=133840
But do not shoot yourself. Not yet anyway. If you use my prep and technique and still get irritation, then yes perhaps at that point you can be put down, or donated to a "no-kill shave shelter".
Hope it helps.
The hair on my neck grows in about 50 different directions. I've found the best thing I can do is limit the number of passes absolutely necessary. I do a true WTG in all areas followed by an XTG (not true just ear towards chin) and finish with a true ATG in all areas and that usually does the trick with zero irritation.
I get no joy out of shaving my neck, I don't go for a perfect shave like on my face because the neck hairs grow in all sorts of crazy directions.
From what you wrote on the first post, I suspect the problem is not what soap/cream/ blade/pre shave pre that needed adjustments, but more of your necks' contour and your technique. At least for me that is my biggest hurdle to clear.
Have you tried using your DE with no blade in it, just to practice your stroke around the neck line? For me that pre-progarm my hand-eye coordination, so I will bring the shaver to the proper angle. I even have to close my eyes so the image in the mirror doesn't make my brain over-correct and tilt the blade the wrong way.
If your shave is 80-90% BBs, but with a few patches of "missed' spots, then it is your blade technique. Goodluck
Have you tried using your DE with no blade in it, just to practice your stroke around the neck line? For me that pre-progarm my hand-eye coordination, so I will bring the shaver to the proper angle. I even have to close my eyes so the image in the mirror doesn't make my brain over-correct and tilt the blade the wrong way.
If your shave is 80-90% BBs, but with a few patches of "missed' spots, then it is your blade technique. Goodluck
