Just wanted to report that 7 shaves in, I attempted my first ATG shave with more than just the sideburns. So far, WTG is going great, and I've got about 85% of my face covered in XTG. (There are a few trouble spots that I just haven't figured out the angles yet and skin stretching, but considering I'm 7 shaves in, I'm not worried about that and simply skip those sections instead of forcing the issue!) I've done ATG a few times up the sides of the face and cheek, but hadn't messed around elsewhere.
Today, I embarked on ATG with the neck and jaw line and results were solid. Biggest secret is the blade being flat against the face - at times, the spine was touching my neck while I shaved. Zero cuts and really no irritation after that. Jawline was actually pretty easy as well - stretch the neck and let only part of the edge actually do the work and keep everything else out of the way while keeping that flat angle of attack.
Problem areas - cup of the chin, mainly the sides. Hair growth is a little weird there so lots of short strokes, and was tough to keep the blade angle right. However, with all the turns there, I'm still getting WTG and XTG comfortable, so while it was a full attempt at ATG, I didn't push for it, and didn't bother working it too close. Adam's Apple - don't need much ATG here anyway, but angles are a bit tough, so no real work there. Mustache - did not attempt . . . I like my nose . . . :)
So, a week's worth of Straight Razor Shaving . . . survey:
1) WTG - 99% coverage - and a presentable one-pass shave
2) XTG - 80-85% coverage - a shave that is at least as good as my cartridge
3) ATG - 60% coverage - awesome shave for about 40% of my face, 40% really good, and the last 20% better than I've gotten with a cartridge.
Cuts - 0
Nicks - 2
Styptic Dates - 0
Irritation - once, from my wife and I rubbing my face too much all day after a really good shave.
Oh, and today I took my DE and did a 4th ATG pass for clean-up. The blade barely made a noise as it went around my face because the straight had done most of the work. :)
