Asking, so I don't tear up my face. Again.

So I've been contemplating, since my first str8 shave, going against the grain with my razor. When shaving with my gilette I almost always have to go ATG in order to get a close shave. This is due partially to the fact the I don't have a whole lot of facial hair to begin with (damn genetics). I thought I read on the wiki, whilst doing my research before diving into the world of straights, that going ATG is somehow an unpardonable sin. Also, I found that my lathering technique was QUITE unacceptable. This was due to lack of research and taking advice from the guy I bought my straight from, who is not a straight razor shaver. I'm also thinking that I'm not getting a close shave WTG and XTG because I haven't gotten my straight sharp enough. Although my last shave was apparently sharp enough to give me a couple of nice cuts while trying to shave XTG.

Does anyone here have experience with shaving ATG with a straight?


Before you ask, I shave with a brand new/never used Dovo, and honed my own using a norton 4/8. I'm still waiting for my chinese waterstone 12k in the mail...Yes I strop before shaving. And while all these are true, I'm still working on my pre-shave technique. (honing, stropping, lathering)

Click the angle link in my sig.

edit: But before you do that, send a honemeister an email.

My first peice of advice is to have your razor honed by a honemiester. That way you will know that there is no problem with your razor. Just one less thing to wonder about.
Then, between each pass, make sure you wash your face with lots of water before you relather for your next pass. Myself, and I think most of the guys on this site, do three passes. WTG, XTG and lastly ATG.
It will take some practice, you won't get a perfect shave first time and you probably will cut yourself. But once you start to get used to shaving with a straight the shaves will be fantastic, you won't cut yourself (except for the occasional unfortunate nick that we all get from time to time (If you say you haven't cut yourself yet, just wait, its coming))
Have fun with your straight, you'll grow to love it.

My suggestion would be to send your razor out for honing by a honemeister. Until you try a truly shave ready straight you won't have a good baseline for your shaving. There are several possible reasons for your problem including sharpness, angle, stropping, prep etc. The only one you can buy a solution to is the sharpness of your razor. It's worth it, believe me. Later you can maintain your razor and you will have a frame of reference for how you are doing. If it were me, I would send it off to Lynn for honing.