I've made a few shaves with my straight and I feel I am getting more used to it. However, I think I've been doing it wrong.

First pass is always WTG. The jawline, chin, and neck areas are complete <censored> however. Lots of pain, and pulling. I think that is more a technique issue, so I'll keep trying.

The second pass I do is ATG as per the videos on the sticky thread. I re-lather, and shave upwards

I now realise I'm supposed to shave XTG on the second pass, but the problem I am having is working out my grain.

On my cheek the hair lies downwards. So a downward stroke with the razor is WTG, and an upwards stroke is ATG. My jawline I've noticed the grain grows side on. So if I take the razor and shave from about an inch away from my chin and towards the ear, that's WTG. From my ear to an inch within my chin is ATG. My chin is downwards, like my cheek. As is the area below my chin till my adams apple. On my neck however, the grain is upwards. So an upwards stroke is WTG, downwards is ATG.

Confused yet? I know I am.

Effectively then, for my first WTG pass I need to...

Shave downwards on my cheek, chin and blow my chin (and above my upper lip)

Shave across towards my ear from an inch either side of my chin.

Shave upwards from my neck to my jawline.



Am I over thinking this? Is that what it's really like--changing the razor motion at different points?