Thread: Against the grain

To shave against the grain I have to really work at it.

1. I do two back to back WTG passes. Adding another pass is not big deal.
2. I then do XTG from ear to center and leave my neck alone.
3. I then do XTG from my chin to my ear and then whatever is left (because I have shaved under my jaw line) I shave very lightly ATG on my neck.
4. I now go ATG on my jaw line up first and then start at the bottom of my neck with short strokes and work my way up.

This is the only way that I can shave ATG without tearing my face up. It works very well and I get almost no irritation. I went to two passes WTG one day and was listening to the blade and found that during the second pass I picked up a lot of leftover beard. My neck hairs are tough beyound belief and they grow very fast. With a BBS shave around noon I start to fee the little buggers again and I shave about 6 am.


Have a good one,
Richard

I do ATG as an optional third pass. The WTG and XTG get me clean enough for everyday use, I go ATG when it's for a formal occasion of if I know I won't get a chance to shave for a while.

Originally Posted by foundlingofdollar

I do ATG as an optional third pass. The WTG and XTG get me clean enough for everyday use, I go ATG when it's for a formal occasion of if I know I won't get a chance to shave for a while.

This is my technique as well. There are occasions when I just do ATG though (normally when on time constraint). It takes some practice but it can be done when there isn't a lot of beard to begin with.



Patrick

I shave -

1) WTG
2) XTG
3) Water touch up

If I have a formal dinner or interview and the like I shave -

1) WTG
2) XTG
3) ATG
4) Water touch up

I find the first is more than acceptable with a very sharp blade for general every day appearance.

I have been trying ATG to get a BBS shave. it is working in some places and others I need more work on. I have a light beard though. My chin is the toughest. Especially. along the jawline.

I always do WTG first, XTG second, and ATG last. I find that if I do not go ATG under my chin, I do not get a BBS shave. I use this technique every day and it causes me no irritation.

My chin is probably the hardest area to get BBS. ATG is real tuff there too. For me.

Although still a newb myself, I have the same problem... unless I go against the grain [with any razor] I can't get a close enough shave. I was wondering the same thing as yourself, and thanks to your question, many of questions have been answered.

Thanks,
Scott

I MUST go against the grain to get a close shave - nothing else works; I have a wiry beard which almost requires an against the grain pass. Soft whiskers do not generally need this but I look like I was drunk and didn't shave half of my face if I just go with and across the grain.

Originally Posted by AverageJoe

As weird as it seems, when I use a straight, I go N-S down my cheek and neck, which on my neck is ATG. I get NO irritation this way! When I use a DE, even after a WTG pass first, if I go ATG on my neck, I'll sometimes get irritation. So far (a couple months into it) with a straight going ATG on my neck, I have yet to get ANY irritation. So YMMDV! This is one of the things that sold me on straights.

I agree with you totally. I have had the same experience so far.