Thread: Hair to Coarse for WTG?

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!

There are a few variables. One is did you get your razor from somewhere that is certain to deliver a shave ready blade. The other is that they don't really cut so well when the angle is too steep. Then there is skin stretching and holding that is essential to a decent shave.

Originally Posted by RezDog

There are a few variables. One is did you get your razor from somewhere that is certain to deliver a shave ready blade. The other is that they don't really cut so well when the angle is too steep. Then there is skin stretching and holding that is essential to a decent shave.

Thanks for replying! I got my razor from Vintage Blades and it is professionally honed--they said Lynn Abrams honed the blade. I think I'm doing a good job of stretching the skin but I'll really focus on that tomorrow when I shave.

Don't forget a low blade angle. It should only be a 1 1/2 to 2 spine widths off your face.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Don't forget a low blade angle. It should only be a 1 1/2 to 2 spine widths off your face.

Thank you for helping out. I really appreciate it. I think my shave angle is okay but I will focus on that in addition to your other tips. But it seems like you are saying that no matter how coarse your hair might be, if you are shaving correctly WTG then you will achieve a super smooth shave. So much so that I should not need to go back with the Mach 3 and finish. Is that fair to say?

Everyone is a little bit different. It may work out in the end that you don't get a great shave with the grain. I actually don't bother with a WTG pass for most of my face. My whiskers lay very flat to my skin and in order to cut them WTG it requires enough pressure for a rash. I do WTG for my mustache and chin and then one against, except the mustache and one across. Eventually we all wind up finding our best shaving practices for our face and skin and whiskers. We all start at more or less the same place. A little mapping of the growth direction of your whiskers can gel you figure out what happens where on your face to help you find what passes work best for you.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Everyone is a little bit different. It may work out in the end that you don't get a great shave with the grain. I actually don't bother with a WTG pass for most of my face. My whiskers lay very flat to my skin and in order to cut them WTG it requires enough pressure for a rash. I do WTG for my mustache and chin and then one against, except the mustache and one across. Eventually we all wind up finding our best shaving practices for our face and skin and whiskers. We all start at more or less the same place. A little mapping of the growth direction of your whiskers can gel you figure out what happens where on your face to help you find what passes work best for you.

Thank you so much for all your help!

Good advice from RezDog, and it does take time to learn to shave with a straight. Don't expect stellar results at first, and finish with your mach 3 when necessary. Take your time and enjoy, it will all come together.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Good advice from RezDog, and it does take time to learn to shave with a straight. Don't expect stellar results at first, and finish with your mach 3 when necessary. Take your time and enjoy, it will all come together.

Thanks. It's so frustrating. I watch the videos and people make it seem so easy. It's nice to hear from experienced people that this is a process and it takes time. Thank you again.

Shaun has given you very good advise, I think my first really good shave came at about #38 or there a bouts. Been at it almost a year now and I'm still learning new things that make my shave better, I think that is part of what I love about this.
If it was easy I would get bored.
Just try to have fun with it, the shaves will get better the more you shave and practice the skills.