Shaving Directions with a Straight Razor

[clappboard]

Hello all.

I downloaded a facial hair mapping template and filled it out. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this type of growth. I use a rechargeable straight razor daily, and can get BBS or close-to-BBS on my cheeks/moustache (sideburns are iffy sometimes). I have a problem with ATG shaving, as my hair grows too flat to my face to shave that way without irritation. However, XTG is works great -- I employ the ear-to-nose/nose-to-ear technique coupled with an underneath-nose-to-corner of mouth.

That being said, I always run into trouble underneath my jawline and all over my neck in general. I find it very difficult to get into the valleys on either side of my asophagus, as I'm a fairly skinny guy and so am pretty wiry around my neck.
On the chart below there are arrows to indicate the direction of hair growth, and colors to represent to difficulty level I encounter shaving that area.



Just to reiterate, *any* ATG action causes irritation for me

Any insight is appreciated!

-clappy

 

[Member357]

ATG causes irritation for a lot of people I think, so don't worry about trying that. A couple of XTG passes after a WTG might be enough for DFS.
On your neck make sure you stretch the skin, that would definitely help.

I have to ask, what is a rechargeable straight razor?

 

[celestino]

ATG causes irritation for a lot of people I think, so don't worry about trying that. A couple of XTG passes after a WTG might be enough for DFS.
On your neck make sure you stretch the skin, that would definitely help.

I have to ask, what is a rechargeable straight razor?

+1 Good advice here and my question as well! Good luck and there is no need to go for the BBS. Be gentle with your skin and, possibly, later, you can try for a BBS when your technique has improved with the straight.

 

[clappboard]

...

I have to ask, what is a rechargeable straight razor?

By "rechargeable" I mean the type many barbers use, one that takes a DE blade snapped in half. I'm still new, so the whole sharpen/hone/strop thing seems a little pointless until I get my technique down

 

[clappboard]

ATG causes irritation for a lot of people I think, so don't worry about trying that. A couple of XTG passes after a WTG might be enough for DFS.
On your neck make sure you stretch the skin, that would definitely help.

...

Good advice indeed, however I find that the angle / blade contact required for XTG on my neck is often unmanageable. As I said in my first post, my neck's got these annoying valleys on either side of my asophagus due to me being so slender.
The usual engagement:As I said in my first post

ME: "Ah, Mr. Neck Hair, we meet again. Except that this time, I am stronger and have read more forum posts than ever!"
BEARD: "So you think, foolish boy? Avant-garde!"
(Parry! Slash! Stab!)
ME: "..."
"Yup, those 're cuts all right."
(proceeds to dole out toilet paper squares)

 

[seattleshaver]

For the Adam's Apple area just swallow and hold it as you do that area. You can also move the skin to the side and shave it there before letting go.

A straight razor will probably be less irritating on this area than the replaceable type blade that you are using. Otherwise, being successful in the neck area is just a matter of reading the growth patterns and using plenty of lather and little pressure.

 

[lordfink]

By "rechargeable" I mean the type many barbers use, one that takes a DE blade snapped in half. I'm still new, so the whole sharpen/hone/strop thing seems a little pointless until I get my technique down

You can try whipped dog for an affordable straight and strop set. Or if you prefer the "rechargeable" ones then try getting a Feather from the B/S/T.

I tried shavettes for a bit and couldn't quite get it right. No such issues with a straight or the Feathers.

YMMV ofcourse.

 

[Liberty_2112]

Hello all.

I downloaded a facial hair mapping template and filled it out. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this type of growth. I use a rechargeable straight razor daily, and can get BBS or close-to-BBS on my cheeks/moustache (sideburns are iffy sometimes). I have a problem with ATG shaving, as my hair grows too flat to my face to shave that way without irritation. However, XTG is works great -- I employ the ear-to-nose/nose-to-ear technique coupled with an underneath-nose-to-corner of mouth.

That being said, I always run into trouble underneath my jawline and all over my neck in general. I find it very difficult to get into the valleys on either side of my asophagus, as I'm a fairly skinny guy and so am pretty wiry around my neck.
On the chart below there are arrows to indicate the direction of hair growth, and colors to represent to difficulty level I encounter shaving that area.

View attachment 295322

Just to reiterate, *any* ATG action causes irritation for me

Any insight is appreciated!

-clappy

Interesting post. Thanks for sharing. Maybinask where you got the face mapping sheets from?

 

[Krodor]

For the right hand "valley", I use my left hand to stretch the skin on my adams apple from right way over to the left, then push my 'apple over to the right, then kinda crank my head to the left and back a bit. it kinda acts like puffing out your cheeks. Somewhat vice-versa on the other side.

 

[clappboard]

Interesting post. Thanks for sharing. Maybinask where you got the face mapping sheets from?

I found it using a quick google search:

http://barbereile.blogspot.ca/2011/12/face-mapping-for-shaving.html

Enjoy!

 

[neverender2113]

That's exactly how my beard grows, except for a few swirls in the neck area. I do two passes during my shave, and when envisioning my shaving directions, I separate my neck strokes from the strokes I use on the rest of my face.

The first pass will be N-S on my face, chin, etc. and S-N on my neck, with an arcing stroke out to the sides.

The second pass will be S-N on my face, chin, etc. and N-S on my neck, arcing in towards the neck on both sides.

The game changer for me was learning to do the arcing strokes on my neck, it leaves my skin irritation free and grabs the curly stubble that like to lay flat against the skin. It's all moot if your razor isn't sharp enough though, I need mine to be 'extra sharp' to do the arcing strokes successfully. I strop between passes, which helps a little bit, and I find myself touching up razors pretty frequently.

EDIT: Krodor pointed out something that could have been perceived as REALLY bad advice, all fixed now!

 

[Krodor]

That's exactly how my beard grows, except for a few swirls in the neck area. I do two passes during my shave and separate my neck and the rest of my face.

Wow...put a "from" instead an "and" and you've got 1 or 2 issues that are slightly troubling.

 

[neverender2113]

HAHAHA! I think I need to make that a little clearer in my post, all parts definitely stay attached during my shaves!