Thread: against the grain?

Is it wise to ga against the grain without going across the grain? I want to get the closest shave but dont want to go over it too many times becuse im getting irritation on the neck. Been shaving a week now.

I do it on occassion when I have pretty light growth, and know... KNOW that my razor is in good shape with a very keen edge. I don't know why, but if I have heavy growth or the edge isn't perfect, going ATG without a XTG pass can cause me some irritiation.

Actually I only do a two pass shave. WTG and then ATG.

I have never had any issues doing it this way other than my upper lip. I don't like the extra feedback caused by just doing 2 passes when I am shaving towards my nose so there I will sometimes go WTG, XTG, ATG.

So long as you have a sharp blade and proper technique you shouldn't have any issues just doing a two pass shave.

When I first began straight razor shaving I went in the directions that were comfortable for me both in avoiding post shave irritation and in my then limited capability in manipulating the blade. As time went on with practice I became more adept at handling a straight and also discovered what worked for me and what doesn't. You just have to experiment with what works for you. It is kind of an individual thing when it comes to which direction to use on which area. As your preparation, lathering and shaving technique improves irritation will be less if not non existent. Check this out if you haven't already.

Give WTG followed by ATG a try if you want, but
also keep in mind that the irritation could be from
your technique or simply because you're going
ATG.

- Scott

My facial hair is like copper wiring, so I have to go WTG, XTG, ATG, touch up to get a close shave. Luckily I have tough as nails skin also. But I'm sure it'd hurt like hell to go straight to ATG without the X pass.