Thread: Hold for ATG

I've seen the online videos and tutorials, but I haven't seen one clearly showing finger positioning for the ATG pass. How do you do it?

Scales in-line with the blade, overhand grip, fingers curling underneath the tang/scales with thumb and forefinger pinching the heel of the blade (edge pointing up of course). I work center to left side of my neck with palm of hand facing towards the mirror/floor. For the right side of my neck I rotate my wrist so that the palm faces my neck. Hope you can make sense of that.....

Regards

Christian

That is an excellent description. I was seeing it as I read it.

Thanks kaptain_zero for that description.

Ive been wondering about this for awhile.

I just checked Dr. Moss's book and he shows this grip pretty well in the how to shave section. The good doctor is a bit more ambidextrous than I am so he switches hands when going to the other side of the face whereas I just pivot my wrist and use the same hand for the other side. I guess you could call that a backhand stroke.

A pdf copy of The Art Of The Straight Razor Shave is available for downloading from our library off the SRP home page.. here's a link and you'll find the book at the bottom of the page:

Book link

I think that book should be required reading for anyone wishing to start shaving with a straight... it's simple, works perfectly without being plugged in and is safe to have right next to the sink when you shave. Well, I mean if you print out a copy.... don't keep your laptop next to the sink!

Christian

A picture is worth a thousand words. The angle is a little off, it is had to do with no mirror to look into but you get the idea.

Hey Dave,
VERY GOOD pictorial, exactly as I do it. BUT YOU MISSED A HUGE PATCH OF HAIR.

Off topic - P.m. when your ready to put those scales on. I have the pins, drill bits, etc.

Kilowattkid

Great pictures Dave! That's exactly how I hold mine except I sneak up on the heel of the blade and pinch it between my thumb and forefinger, much like a chef holds a chefs knife. I don't aways do it, seems to depend on the razor but I like the security of knowing by feel how the blade is angled and I also drop the scales like you when going up the cheeks.


Christian

I do as well, but you cannot see my thumb behind the tang. It was awkward trying to position without the assistance of a mirror. I opened the vanity and put the camera on a shelf so I was working blind, but I thought it conveyed the general idea.

If I try to angle the scales on the neck they hit me in the chest. Then I switch hands for the other side.

Funny you mention that missed spot. I have been thinking of cutting it down to a goatee so I have more face to shave on.