So I've been doing this straight razor thing for nigh on two months now. I have WTG down pat: I could shave WTG in the dark, in my sleep, under fire. I could shave WTG dry - I have, several times, due to improper lathering.

However, one thing I can't do is get any closer to my face than a certain you-can-definitely-still-feel-it length, and this is because I haven't yet mastered XTG shaving, much less ATG. Whenever I try the latter, especially on the areas of my face south of the neckline, it leads to pulling, unevenness, and plenty of shallow nicks (that, thankfully, usually clean up to a presentable level). That being the case, I've decided to try working XTG instead, hoping to reduce my beard still further before that final ATG pass.

Problem is, exactly where do I put the razor when I go across, especially below the jaw and on the neck? It seems that if I try to put the razor flush with my skin on one portion, I seriously risk slicing open the other. So, e.g. if I try to shave just underneath my chin, I could slit my throat open (okay, not really, but considering the blade angle it looks that way).

Ultimately, I know it comes down to more practice. In another month of religiously cleaning up by XTG I'll wonder how I ever had this problem. In the mean time, though, does anyone have any advice on passes to use, especially in those difficult parts like on either side of the windpipe?