Thread: Against the grain?

I am new to SR shaving, and after several great shaves, I am ready to try ATG. My problem is that I can't figure out how to go ATG below the sideburns. Do you cross-shave those areas? Or do you push the razor, because that didn't sound like a very good idea. Any thoughts?
-Dan

I don't shave ATG, but part of my neck grows upwards so I use an upward stroke there. All
I do is flip my hand upside down and use the exact same grip. In fact, I use the same grip
on the razor for my entire shave.

- Scott

Been doing this for over two years and I still have yet to be able to do an against the grain under my lower lip. I just do an extra with the grain pass there and call it good. If I really need a BBS shave than I'll touch it up with a gem.

Originally Posted by bonedog

I am new to SR shaving, and after several great shaves, I am ready to try ATG. My problem is that I can't figure out how to go ATG below the sideburns. Do you cross-shave those areas? Or do you push the razor, because that didn't sound like a very good idea. Any thoughts?
-Dan

What seems to work best for me, is to work in small segments. Pull up right on the side burn, and pass the razor up towards your finger holding it (or if you like, you can use your thumb and forefinger to stretch out a "patch" of skin)clearing about an inch of whiskers right below the sideburn. This newly shaved and lather-free area provides a new purchase, and you can create another patch and repeat, working your way down. This works for me, keeps my fingers from slipping all over the place (BAD...) and working in short sections like this allows the skin to be tight and not "catch" the blade and result in a cut.
Wish I had a picture.
Something I'll also do sometimes, is instead of completely stretching the hair upwards, I'll just put pressure with a finger, behind the spine of the blade, and make one short stroke ATG and work my way up towards the sideburn. Usu. on jawline, etc.
Clear as mud, I know.
John P.

I swap hands - right hand for the WTG/XTG pass on the right side, left hand for WTG/XTG on the left side, left hand for ATG on the right side and right hand for ATG on the left side. I never really thought about it, that just seemed natural for me.

I use my opposite hand for ATG on the cheeks.

I open up the razor all the way so the handle is out straight and grasp it thusly, like a baton with my thumb along the spine. I then use a backhand stroke on the opposite cheek while stretching my sideburn up with my free hand.

Experimant and see what works for you, that's the most important.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I use my opposite hand for ATG on the cheeks.

I open up the razor all the way so the handle is out straight and grasp it thusly, like a baton with my thumb along the spine. I then use a backhand stroke on the opposite cheek while stretching my sideburn up with my free hand.

Experimant and see what works for you, that's the most important.

+ 1 This is pretty much the way I do that area also.

Thanks for all your perspective. I've tried a few things, and switching hands seems to work best so far. Again, thank you for all of your help.
-Dan