Thread: ATG Impossible

Do you alter the angle of the blade relative to your skin for the ATG? The spine should be closer to your skin during the ATG pass to accomodate the altered angle of approach of the razor relative to the whiskers.

I walked away from my computer after starting to respond and then when I returned I finished my thought and submitted my reply only to find I was scooped. Anyway, I think we are all right!

I followed the instructions in Bart's excellent article here: Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Works well for me. ATG buffing is fun.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

ATG buffing is fun.

I suspeect that will help, especially if I do a extra WTG or XTG pass first.

Nothing but excellent advice is this thread, imho.

I only wish to add one suggestion...

***momentum***

For an inexperienced straight shaver with heavy beard, it's nearly impossible to start a stroke on the hard chin whiskers.
Stick your chin a bit forward, to stretch the skin on the neck below the chin and take a start slightly under the skin. Use a shallow angle and give the razor some speed. The razor's trajectory ends in the air, off your skin. It resembles a motion like your wife bristles a crumb of your vest. This should take care of the whiskers below the chin. I use the same approach on the hard whiskers underneath my lower lip (the soul patch area).
For the hard stubbles on the chin, you can start the stroke on the cheek bone, riding the razor on top of it for an inch or so, attacking the hairs from a diagonal direction, immediately heading "north" as soon as the razor makes contact with the chin whiskers.

It really helps to practice those strokes with an imaginary "finger"- razor a couple of times, while daydreaming your next shave. My boss likes me doing that very much. .

These things are hard to describe. I hope it made some sense.

Best regards,
Bart.

Originally Posted by Bart

***momentum***
( etc.)

I think I get the picture!