Hi everybody. I'm new to straight razor shaving and I'm having a little trouble. The thing I'm most concerned about is whether I need to start going XTG to truly get the close shave you get from a straight razor. I'm still using my dominant hand and shaving from my sideburn to my jaw. I've gotten to the point where my WTG stroke is slightly better than my Mach 3 WTG stroke but I still have to go back with my Mach 3 and go ATG to get a really close shave. I know ATG is not preferred but I have to go ATG with my Mach 3 to get a close shave.

So my question is: Is my WTG straight razor stroke not that great and that's why I still have to go over it again with my Mach 3? Or is this simply my hair being too coarse and I have to learn XTG to get a great shave?

If you guys could help me out I would really appreciate it. Thanks everyone!