Thread: What's the best way to hold for....

So I am almost at the BBS stage with my SR Shaving, my cheeks and jawline are probably smoother then a baby's butt, but I just cannot get the neck smooth. (IN fact it's quite stubbly)

I know that I need to do a modified XTG pass (Diagonal from earlobe to adams apple) but I can't for the life of me figure out the right way to hold the razor for this pass. Once I can get this down I think I will achieve BBS.

So what say ye all ye Guru's out there How do you hold for that pass?

Check this out if you have not done so already.

Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

My ATG pass on the neck is close to "Grip 6" with a minor modification depending on which hand is holding the razor and which side of my neck I'm shaving. Practice the different grips to see what feels right. Hope this helps.

Thanks I'll give that a shot

Nice post reardensteel

Think about how your beard grows in that section, look for a comfortable grip that will go with then across the grain for you there, not everyone's grip will be the same for a certain area
Sam

I'm finding it's less the grip and more the stretch that helps... I can angle the blade a bit in a normal grip that works as long as I REALLY stretch the skin taut

Originally Posted by mcgyver74

I'm finding it's less the grip and more the stretch that helps... I can angle the blade a bit in a normal grip that works as long as I REALLY stretch the skin taut

The grip is just the way you get the most facility with the blade. It's different for everyone. Stretching is the key to a close comfortable shave. You might be the greatest razor handler in the world but if you don't know how to stretch you'll never get a good shave.

To Post, or Not to Post, That has been my question!
This works very well for me, it won't be for everyone. I'm not telling you this is the way for you to do this. Its just the way I have found that works for me and works very well. I struggled with the neck for months and and was disillusioned with the whole process and then finally I tried something that worked. I've used it ever since with no problems or nicks (not to say thats not going to happen, it will) and get a nice close shave on my neck along with the other passes. Your neck contour may be that this will not work for you, but here's what I do. The grain of the beard on my neck is from adam's apple to the ear, so from ear to adam's apple would be against the grain. I hold the razor as shown in #1 of the wiki link above. I use the left hand on the left side and the right hand on the right side - using the opposite hand for stretching. On the left, I start just under and slightly behind the ear and basically turn the toe of the razor down like you were doing a scything stroke (its not touching the neck yet, just for explanation). Its hard to see, so some of this is by feel, and that means you have to have brain/left hand communication and if that's still a problem, I wouldn't try this. With the blade toe down and a little bit heel forward usually I make short strokes across my neck (the same kind of stroke as wtg on the cheek only across with the toe down and heel up) making two passes, one under the jaw line and then lower or vice versa. DON'T USE IT ON THE JAW LINE!! Always using the opposite hand for stretching, sometimes stretching up and sometimes down or sideways. I do a third pass for the jaw line by stretching it upward onto the lower cheek and using what ever stroke you would use for across the grain on your cheek. I usually stop just short of the adam's apple on the lower passes. Repeat for the right side. Right under the chin down to the adam's apple I usually just use down or up strokes or what ever the beard requires. This has worked very well for me and straight shaving is now again enjoyable and effective. If there are still any Hand/Brain coordination issues, don't try this yet!! And for anyone not comfortable with the razor yet, I wouldn't use it. However it does work very well for me and isn't nearly as awkward as it may sound at first. I ALWAYS USE A ROUND POINT FOR THIS AND WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER A SQUARE OR OTHER SIMILAR POINT!!!!! Hope this will work as well for my other neck challenged straight shaving brothers. Good Luck, Howard

Love the screen name rearden steel! Perfect!