Thread: ATG Impossible?!

90% of the time I only do a single pass. Some of that pass is in fact XTG. Only occasional do I include a second ATG pass. For that pass I use a weaker (slicker) lather (I add water to the lather I've used for the first pass) and very short buffing strokes. I also hold the razor very loosely in two fingers.

However, I feel an ATG pass on the neck where the hair grows W to E or E to W would be almost impossible; as you say the toe of the razor would come up against the neck under the jaw line.

You could try a very short round toe razor or strokes that are not fully ATG, i.e. NNW to SSE.

Other than that it's either stick with XTG on the neck and a single pass or use a DE. I don't really think one needs a perfectly smooth shave all the time, but that depends on the job and the thickness of hair and closeness of hair follicles.

I have this same hair direction issue - I don't even try anymore to go ATG on my neck. I do one down pass then do an up pass using "short, scythe-like" strokes. I find that by doing the short strokes I can get the neck clean.

Make one of your future razor purchases a smiling blade. They go more sideways on your neck much easier. No rush though, you should be able to do a fine job with the razor you have and the suggestions above.

Originally Posted by SFS1090

Hello all,

The hair on my neck is somewhat oddly-directed. My entire neck hair is directed from left to right. This has made shaving the entire portion above my adam's apple EXTREMELY difficult with the straight razor. It seems that I can't maneuver the razor to go right to left or left to right without poking myself where my neck begins to curve. I've shaved both upwards and downwards, but constantly have patches of hair left over directly under my jawline, where the razor cannot make contact without poking myself or otherwise causing damage.

So, my question is: What do I do? I purchased the razor (a non-disposable DOVO) with the intention of using it exclusively when I become experienced with it. However, I've had to use my old razor to go over my neckline to get it just right, which I don't want to make a habit of doing.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

The hair on my neck grows sideways too.

Have patience, this will take time, think in terms of getting this one thing right in a month. It is going to take a couple of months to get where you want to go. Always go for comfort first, and a close shave will follow along.

You will mostly end up dividing your face up into regions and come up with a way to shave each reason. You will mostly likely figure out that using both your right and left hand will work best if you can manage it.

Now just fix the jaw line problem this way. Take a face cloth and dry your face to just above the jaw line, now take the fingers of the hand not holding the blade, and put them just above your jaw line and push or pull the skin up as far as you can (under your eye). Now while the skin is stretched up towards your eye like that, shave the bottom of your 'cheek'.

When you take your fingers away, and the skin relaxes, you will find you have shaved from your jawline down an inch or two below your jaw, and you got to do it on the easier flatter portion of your cheek. When I started doing this, I would get just below my jawline. You get better at stretching your skin with practice. Now I can shave my cheek, jawline, and about two inches below my jawline and never take the blade off my cheek. Yes, I shave the top of my neck while the skin is stretched up on to my cheek. You will have to figure out something different just below your chin.

Try it, it works!

Best,

Ed

I use this grip on the razor to go ATG on my neck. Using this, I can get everything. It's helped some others and maybe it'll help you too.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ml#post1028898

It did help me actually, but not directly. I tried it and I can make it work some. But your picture was the first one to make me think about a grip that was 'different'. You got me to think outside of the box.

So I started experimenting with grips because of this picture, I haven't figured out how to document my grip yet but I would like too. And I got there only because of this unusual grip you posted.

Thank you!

I actually use a weird grip I figure for ATG - hold the blade completely open, thumb on the edge of the tang, firm grip on the scales...guess like holding a knife, only with the edge of the razor obviously pointed upwards to do the ATG...I also tried different grips, this is the one I settled on as it's most comfortable for me...as mentioned, the grip that works for you will come with experimentation.

Keep Calm and Shave On!

Originally Posted by EdHutton

It did help me actually, but not directly. I tried it and I can make it work some. But your picture was the first one to make me think about a grip that was 'different'. You got me to think outside of the box.

So I started experimenting with grips because of this picture, I haven't figure out how to document my grip yet but I would like too. And I got there only because of this unusual grip you posted.

Thank you!

Excellent!

We have all been there...and very soon you will get to the point were you will go: "I can't believe this used to be a problem".

After face mapping I think it get gets down to mapping individual hairs. We all seem to have these patches the size of a thumb print or match book that just resist with all their might.

Buffing, angle, smiling blades all help.
So do directional stretching - not only keeping your skin taut but pull away from the direction of growth to make the hairs stand up...
I use all of the techniques listed by others and also two finger stretching. I learned it while trying to master the Kamisori, using the outstretched thumb and index finger to tension a small area at a time, shaving in between my thumb and finger.
That buffing thing comes in handy here.

Shaving with a straight is very much a fine motor/muscle memory thing and it just takes a little time and practice.
If you stop and think about it, everyone else is looking at the next roto-ball multi-blade wonder and you are trying to master a system that is largely unchanged for the last 200+ years...on your own...using people you meet on the web for help....
Now we are not trying to coach you on how to take out your own appendix...



Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov: The Doctor Who Removed His Own Appendix

And the fact that your question is about fine tuning your shave means you are well on your way.

You will do fine and you will enjoy the journey...

Smooth Shaving..

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I use this grip on the razor to go ATG on my neck. Using this, I can get everything. It's helped some others and maybe it'll help you too.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ml#post1028898

Yeah? Sorry for sounding incredulous but that's one of the most original things I've seen on this site for some time. I'd like to see a video of that happening... Do you use the heel with that grip? I like it...