Proper shaving technique?

Sorry if this is discussed elsewhere.

From the little that I've read on the subject, on the first pass you are supposed to go with the grain of your hair growth, and, on the second, you'll want to go against the grain for a closer shave.

From my experience, I've found that going with the grain doesn't really do all that much. However, when I go against the grain, those bristles start flying right off my face.

As my face gets razor burned, would you guys suggest forgoing the "with the grain" shave, and just go straight for the "against the grain", or is something bad going to happen to me if I do this?

Thanks!

We've had a few members in the past perfer to go only against the grain.

You have provided two classic indications that your razor is not sharp enough: 1) Whiskers are not being removed when shaving WTG and 2) razor burn.

Thus, my suggestion is that you use a sharper razor!

So far, popular opinion shows that most guys go WTG, sometimes twice, and many times NEVER ATG. Personally, I do not shave ATG. I find that one WTG pass, and one WTG Scything pass gets pretty much everything. AND, with my pre-shave routine and lather, I get little-to-no razor burn.

I agree with Utopian...sounds like your razor needs to either be honed or touched-up on a barbers hone/pasted strop.

Just my 2¢ :)
~Chris