Thread: First ATG Shave and question about grip

So I was feeling pretty good this morning and decided to man up and try ATG. It didnt go to bad. No cuts or irritation.

Not as close as it could be, but the closest straight shave so far.

The only problem was figuring out how to hold the razor. I held it similiar to how i hold it when i strop. I'm not sure if this is "correct" and i jus tneed to get used to holding the razor this way.


/ Finally stropping correctly and oh how my world has changed! I just seemed to magically start stropping correctly one day after noticing i was not holding the razor the same on the return stroke and making a small change.

I hold it that way when doing up passes on some of my face/neck. Good way to do it once you become comfortable with it IMO. I am a dominant hand shaver not ambidextrous. I'm not sure if I would do it that way if I was using my left & right to hold the razor but it is working for me now.

I hold mine in the hand that is opposite to how I hold it for the WTG and XG strokes. Also, it's like when I strop. The blade and scales are straight. In addition, the angle is slightly less than the normal 30 degrees. Don't worry, it will come in time. I get a BBS nearly every shave...

Sounds like what you're doing is the natural grip for many of us. I do my throat that way, & try to maintain about one spine's width as the angle. It's mostly about what works for you!

I follow suit with the rest of you.

Read JimmyH's sig line, very very enlightening.....
and so so true when going ATG

In the end it is was feels comfortable and right for you. Nothing else matters........... unless you plan to shave in front of a crowd and want it to look good

I am not new to straights but I am new to this board. Reading the posts here has made start experimenting with different techniques. I just started playing around with folding the scales about 315 degrees around the blade. I am not sure I like it yet but it may be my standard grip in the future. The entire razor has a solid compact feel when used this way. If you have heavy scales to your blade like a Wapi and don't like the balance of the razor it makes that point moot.

I hold it like you normally would then rotate it so the the blade is up an then 90 degrees more so that the thumb and the forefinger are holding the side of the shank not the top. I have found to go ATG on my neck I do a WTG pass, and then I do a very light pressure shallow angle ATG, then I do another ATG pass in earnest. That is the beauty of a straight you can control the pass by controlling the pressure and the angle of attack very easily. I forced myself to learn with both hands which helps.

Take Care and have fun.

R

uggggh.... after yesterdays successful trip down ATG Lane, today was a disaster. ended up with quite a few nicks in the area directly under the chins, where it meets the neck.

And some razor burn to boot.

I am going to blame the lather and not me I tried a sample of cream i had gotten from English shaving company and it just didnt work all that great for me. i should ihave re-lathered after my wtf pass with some soap or proraso.