Long learning curve

[barrow72000]

I had a little time today so I decided I was gonna try for a bbs shave. Ive got very thick hair so i never seem to get all of it. Did a long prep, let the brush soak while in the shower, threw some pre-shave oil on, and lathered up. Went all out (in my eyes) wtg, then xtg, then atg, that third pass was a big mistake. I got the worst razor burn of my life and knicks everywhere. I think for the time being ill stick with the two passes and call it a day.

[Amenrab]

How much hair do you have after going WTG?

I find that it's only on rare occasions that ATG, or even XTG, are needed. Are you stretching your skin a lot with the first pass?

[barrow72000]

Not enough to ever warrant that fiasco again lol

[Razorthin]

Proper technique with a shave-ready SR should not produce a razor burn. Still, my suggestion to you is to postpone ATG until you feel comfortable using a SR. I tried ATG only after about 3-4 months of SR shaving. If you are not sure about having a properly honed blade, trying ATG is a recipe for disaster.

[Laurens]

I second that. It's very easy to apply too much pressure when you just start out. If it makes it easier, imagine you're just wiping the lather off your face. It took me over a year to develop such a light touch that my skin barely registers the blade, and I'm yet learning to keep that touch during the entire shave. And then there's angle and stropping technique and whatnot adding variables to the mix.

Good luck!

[broger]

I also agree that it is a good idea to postpone multiple passes until you get a little better technique and the razor begins to feel more like an extremity in your hand. Be sure to spend time learning the grain direction of your facial hair. This was one thing I didn't pay enough attention to in the beginning, and my shaves showed for it. As soon as I took a couple minutes before a few shaves to inspect grain direction and create a plan of attack, my shaves improved like none other. My hair grows in three different directions just on my neck beard (straight down from the chin, laterally on the sides of my neck, and up at the bottom corners). Neglecting things like this can cause a bigger speed bump than you might expect.

[edhewitt]

I think generally a much shallower angle is recommended for the ATG pass. I recently gave up on 3 passes, and just run with 1.5 or so, not so close or long lasting, but the trade off is comfort and speed.

[barrow72000]

i think this will be what i stick with edhe

[edhewitt]

i think this will be what i stick with edhe

Whatever you choose is right, and if you change your mind you still get to be right, brilliant eh!

[Siguy]

As you've heard, every beard is different.

Perhaps try super soft passes with close attention to angles, splashing cold water on each half of your face as you pass(1/2 at a time) or every stroke at a time if it feels better. Accompany it with skin stretching and cold wet the entire face again after a full pass. Seemed to help me.

Have you had the same problems with the same routine before? Just curious.

Cheers!