Thread: Problems with shaving under my neck

I am a newbie and have been having problems with getting a close shave under my neck. I shave with a Dovo Pearlex 5/8 razor honed by Straight razor designs. I do a wtg shave then a atg shave but I still have a rough patch under my chin. I have been trying different ways to get a close shave does anyone have any suggestions?

Originally Posted by ebraz96

I am a newbie and have been having problems with getting a close shave under my neck. I shave with a Dovo Pearlex 5/8 razor honed by Straight razor designs. I do a wtg shave then a atg shave but I still have a rough patch under my chin. I have been trying different ways to get a close shave does anyone have any suggestions?

That's one of the hardest spots to get, honestly. First because it seems like most of us have chaotic growth patterns below the jawline, where whiskers grow in various directions. Second because navigating the razor along the chin takes practice as you have to keep the angle the same as you shave along a curve.

How rough is the patch? Is it smooth when you feel WTG and then abrasive ATG, or are there visible hairs when you look in a mirror?

that's been the story of my life since I began growing a real beard 10 or 12 years ago. It's all about getting the correct angle and direction. What really helped me was the use of a DE razor...I used it to touch up once and it took that pesky chin hair off better than anything I'd ever used. So what I did was try to make the angle of the straight edge match the angle the DE took when I used it under my chin. I actually held them side-by-side on my face until I got what I thought was a similar angle. It takes a lot of imagination to make it happen but I was able to use my DE as inspiration to attain a more appropriate under-chin angle. Next shave with the SR nailed it.

Yep that's a difficult area.

You need to play with the angle you hold the razor and really be inventive with stretching the skin and adjusting the strokes. There is no easy solution because we all differ so much.

Keep at it, one day it will 'click'. My whiskers grow flat in that area, so to go directly ATG can be tough going at times. I do what you might call a hybrid XTG/ATG stroke, which is really just an angled ATG stroke. You can also try angling the blade heel forward (the "guillotine" stroke). And if you're feeling adventurous you can attempt scything or blade buffing techniques - just be prepared to see a little blood if you're not careful.

A sharp razor really helps, too.

+1 on all the above. As you get more shaves under your belt, you'll learn which way the hair grows and the best way to shave it. Takes some time so be patient and go slowwwwwww.

Thanks alot everyone for all your suggestions. What im understanding is to make adjustments until I find what works and sticking with it. Thanks alot you guys

the hair on each side of my adams apple apparently grows in 7 different directions.........

it is quite a challenge at times.... i usually just get is as best i can and forget getting it all....

I want to say that its not quite smooth on the WTG and real abrasive on the ATG. there are visible hairs when I look in the mirror. I just need to keep shaving until I find the right angle.

Originally Posted by commiecat

That's one of the hardest spots to get, honestly. First because it seems like most of us have chaotic growth patterns below the jawline, where whiskers grow in various directions. Second because navigating the razor along the chin takes practice as you have to keep the angle the same as you shave along a curve.

How rough is the patch? Is it smooth when you feel WTG and then abrasive ATG, or are there visible hairs when you look in a mirror?

Originally Posted by ebraz96

I want to say that its not quite smooth on the WTG and real abrasive on the ATG. there are visible hairs when I look in the mirror. I just need to keep shaving until I find the right angle.

That sounds like it could be a sharpness issue. How many shaves has your razor seen since it was last honed or touched up?