Thread: Against the Grain

I've been trying to learn to shave with both hands. I can do pretty decently with the grain with both hands. However, for some reason, I just can't get the hang of against the grain for a second pass.

When I try to shave against the grain I find the razor 'sticking'. It's hard to make any sort of motion that doesn't tug, pull or just fell like it's about to dig in and cut me. My strokes aren't very smooth or consistent. The results of such a shave seems to be a lot like shark skin; smooth and slick when running my hand with the grain and sandpaper against.

I'm wondering if there are any tips or tricks I'm just not understanding. Maybe there are factors I just haven't taken into account. Razor keenness, re-lathering, razor grip, or something.

I've adjusted my grip a few different ways. I've even looked over the pictorial someone posted here about different razor grips. I try to stick to these grips instead of making up my own.

I've tried to reduce the angle I hold the razor at but it's difficult when going the opposite direction. It's also seems like I'm nearly laying the blade flat, perhaps reducing the angle too much.

I've tried re-lathering after the first pass to see if this helps. It seems to make almost no difference in my ability to make a stroke. Maybe my lathering skills are still less than desirable.

Honestly, I can't vouch much for my razor keenness. I've always been one of those crazier guys who didn't use soap, cream, or anything like that when shaving with my Mach 3, water was enough. So my straights seem sharp as can be with how easily they glide in the lather with the grain. I'm not sure if keenness (or lack of it) would affect ease of use in varied directions.

My biggest suspect is technique. Since I can go with (and even across) without much difficulty I suspect that my real problem is coordination with the opposite direction. If I can get over this learning curve and it's normal to have troubles like this only a few weeks into the straight shaving endeavors then I have more hope that simple practice will help out in the long run.

Any ideas or suggestions from anyone?

yeah it's normal to have difficulty at this stage.
the razor has to be rather sharp, your beard well softened, and the angle low.

how about doing across the grain, would that work better?

I'd try a three pass shave, WTG, XTG, ATG for now. Eventually you may decide you can skip the XTG pass, although I personally like the feeling of getting the whiskers progressively shorter with each pass.

One thing I didn't see you mention was stretching. When I do my ATG pass, I pull down on the neck skin to make it taut. That helps a lot. Then using a fairly flat angle, take short, small strokes on your way up. It takes some practice. I'm still working on my left hand.

If you apply too much lather for the ATG pass, that might help the razor to "stick" to your face.

I use both hands for the first two passes, WTG and XTG but for my final pass ATG I only use only my dominant hand for both sides of my face and have not problems doing so.

Marc

I'm pretty new to this as well, and I have never bothered with the XTG pass, even when using a DE. Instead I do a WTG all over, XTG on my neck and ATG on my face, then an ATG all over.

What works best for me is: On that first ATG face pass, I keep me razor at a slightly steeper than normal angle. I'm talking about as steep an angle as the WTG pass. It seems to get things trimmed nice and short so that my final ATG pass can be made at a nice shallow angle for a BBS shave with no sticking at all.

Hope that helps
Drew

I can not go ATG after just one pass. I have to WTG, XTG both directions before ATG. In fact during the 3 pass since I can't do a XTG on my neck very well I do a very light ATG on my neck using a single stroke. My beard is murder. Another thing about the ATG pass is to make sure that you are laying the blade down a lot more than you would with the other passes.


Take Care,
Richard

Also play around with the direction you stretch the skin. For ATG on my cheeks (going S-N), I stretch the skin up (N), which helps make the wiskers stand up more vertically. If you stretch the skin down (S), you'd be making the wisker angle even steeper.

-Chief

Originally Posted by keenedge

One thing I didn't see you mention was stretching. When I do my ATG pass, I pull down on the neck skin to make it taut. That helps a lot. Then using a fairly flat angle, take short, small strokes on your way up. It takes some practice. I'm still working on my left hand.

+1. When I first tried it I didn't have much luck. I just went with the grain and the results were fine so I didn't give it a second thought. However, I decided to change my technique a little and the next thing I knew it was easier than going with the grain. I think stretching is very important, but I think you also need to know the limits of your skin. I go at it and don't care whether it cuts my face up - and funnily enough it rarely does.