Thread: First time ATG .......first real cut

The smart money seems to be on the razors not being shave ready. This is certainly a possibly.

I read the HHT articles and redid the test. One razor scores a HHT 2 or 3 and the other scores a HHT-4. This is, of course, assuming that I did the test properly. I did go as slowly as I could and also did the test about 2 cm from the end I was holding.

I'll probably send one of the razors to be honed and compare it to the one I retain when I get it back. This should answer any questions about the shave-readiness of the razors.

As to the cut. I am perfectly willing to admit that that may have been user error. I was paying too much attention to how I was holding the razor, and the angle on the ATG pass (I was trying to be shallower than usual), and that may have led to me being careless. I may also have been using too shallow an angle for the WTG and XTG passes. I'll try to rectify that.

Every face is different and your prep work is good. When I first started, I was going South and North to represent my first two passes. That left a lot of rough spots for my third+ passes. My technique evolved as I knew what sections need more attention and the proper technique.

Although my first pass is primarily South for primarily beard reduction, the second pass is all about XTG and ATG movements and how to tackle the tougher areas. From the jaw line up, I am BBS after the second pass. My neck area is what gets the third pass and sometimes I include the chin. My neck hairs grow in all different angles, so I use different Slat angles N/S to finish off this area.

Over time, I received feedback from the razor to further perfect my technique. My hairs are thick and if I strop the blade well after shaving, and give it 20 passes before a new shave, then its enough to get the job done well.

You may try stropping after your first two passes before your third and see if that helps. I am not big on the HHT as I think its over rated. I just sharpen up the straight with the strop and sometimes the pasted strop, and shave with it. How it shaves is the ultimate test.

Keep going, your on the right path!

Pabster

I would say rethink doing two XTG passes in different directions, but only for the chin where you have trouble.

Keening up the blade might help, but make sure you shave with the toe leading. That'll help cut easier.

If you like a heavier DE, I'll bet you like a heavier straight as well. Try a quarter hollow or a wedge.

X

+1 on Xman - try a wedge or near wedge - those blessed (or cursed) with a really heavy beard often find that a heavier grind works better, as it flexes and twists less as it meets the hair, unlike a lighter full- or half-hollow. Hope that helps!

So I've shaved a couple of times since my first post.
Things seem to have improved significantly. I realised that my angle of attack was too shallow around the chin, giving rise to the lack of cutting power. I also figured out that XTG is easier there than WTG.

- My stropping was too slow. So I sped it up, and the razors sheem sharper.

- 2 x WTG is not necessary over the whole surface of my face. As has been suggested, concentrating more on the problem areas gives me a closer shave.

At this point, the first WTG pass is about the same in efficacy as one WTG pass with a Tech.

To eliminate variables, what I'm going to do is:
1) Send one of the razors to be professionally honed.
-- It will certainly answer the question of whether razor sharpness is causing an issue.

2) Change more to a second XTG pass where needed. I think that a little more practice will improve the outcome of my shaves to the point where the clean-up with the DE is unnecessary. That's the current goal.

I appreciate everyone's input. Your comments have helped troubleshoot my straight razor experiments.

i can say be patient you will get there. it takes time to face get used to new blade and hands stop shaking. gl.

Sending a blade to a honemister is a good choice. Be aware of you angle at all times. Have someone watch you and mention when you angle gets out of tolerance. Also, don't use any pressure on your blade to your skin. Having CarrieM watch me and mention when my angle got too steep or shallow really helped a lot.

Originally Posted by xman

I would say rethink doing two XTG passes in different directions, but only for the chin where you have trouble.

Keening up the blade might help, but make sure you shave with the toe leading. That'll help cut easier.

If you like a heavier DE, I'll bet you like a heavier straight as well. Try a quarter hollow or a wedge.

X

+1 on the quarter-hollow grind.

-Chief

I'm not sure what direction XTG is for you on the chin, but for me I can get great results there using horizontal strokes aimed in towards the centre (cleft) of the chin. You need a few strokes because the blade is touching a rounded area not a flat, but if South-North strokes on the chin aren't working for any reason, horizontal ones will get the job done, just takes a bit more time.