Thread: ATG Impossible

Hmm,

I must really be doing something wrong. In some places I can't even get the razor to move in the ATG direction. This is on the chin and lower cheek next to the chin. It just hangs up on the whiskers. This was even with a fresh-from-Lynn blade, first shave, no stropping, as recommended. I do use the "slicing" technique when (attempting to) move the razor forward ATG into the beard and it is after both a WTG and XTG pass.

I finish up with a GEM SE ATG after a couple of passes with the straight. THAT part goes well.

I really can't say for sure what the issue may be. The whiskers are heaviest in that area and sometimes take a little more commitment to plow though. One thing you can try is to reduce the angle of your blade to your skin. The areas you mention having the problem with are the places I have the hardest time keeping the angle correct because it is hard to see the angle. Once in a while I have CarrieM watch me shave and keep an eye on my angles for me. She mentions when the angel gets out of the zone and I correct. I have developed a 'feel' for the angle in the places I find hard to gauge with her assistance. If your beard is really tough, as your avatar suggests, you may want to pick up a barber's hone like a swaty, or get/make a paddle strop and touch up your edge more oftem than most of us need.

Good luck.

I keep the blade almost flat on atg passes.

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!

Try:

• Short strokes.
• Commitment, as Joed says. (There is a fine line between commitment and reckless force!)
• Stretch skin and/or open mouth wide to move problem skin away from the rounded part of the jawbone.
• Diagonal blade position above/below the jawline helps - only one part of the blade hits a problem area at any moment.

My chin is one place where I still can't maintain smooth movement ATG. I'm in awe of people who can glide the blade gracefully up over the chin. But I believe some of us are just not destined to do that, our stubble there is too dense and coarse. The above workarounds help, and in any case you can get incredibly close by shaving sideways over the chin.

Silly Question...Is your lather wet enough?
I was having a similar problem atg under the jaw. Try applying fresh wet lather to the area and shave immediately.

Thanks all.

"Commitment" is something we are all a little afraid of, no? I have a couple of those healing right now!

But I think all the things mentioned probably need some looking at in my case. You have encouraged me to think I can improve my technique to make this better!

I do have a four-sided Tony Miller paddle strop in the mail with four pastes to help me keep the razor sharp. I did just notice a couple of days ago that the leather in my hanging strop is cupped so that may be contributing to an improper stropping. I have applied some neatsfoot oil and have it pressed between two nice flat ceramic tiles with some weight on it. Will give it some time to soak up the oil and see if it flattens out. Meanwhile I will start using a two sided paddle strop I just received.

I am still on the steep part of my learning curve. Thanks for the push!

Originally Posted by Joed

If your beard is really tough, as your avatar suggests, ....

That's Ben, my alter ego for a couple of weeks back when the computer game "Full Throttle" was new. I always assumed his beard was heavier than mine, but my chin and moustache area are like a wire brush.

(This font in honor of Ben's virtual world.)

my hair is thick too and to go ATG i need to strop prefectly or the razor just bites me hard. this can be an issue for you also. another thing I need to do to acheive ATG passes, especially on the neck, is to hold the razor flat on my skin, spine touching too,.