WTG vs. ATG (And How long to expect BBS?)

[BeauEnigma]

When originally shaving with disposable razors I found that the ATG passes always got me about as close to BBS as I could get. After about 6 SR shaves I am finding that I am not really getting the same BBS skin. I completely understand that I am new and I DO NOT expect BBS skin for at least a two to three months. However, currently I've been following the advice of starting out with a WTG pass, then XTG, then ATG. My hairs are quite short before I reach that final pass, but as I do my final ATG pass I can watch as the hairs tuck under the blade... they almost hide from it. AGAIN, I am aware that I am new so I know I have to work on my angle, etc.... but I am wondering if maybe I could start with a ATG pass on parts of my face to really catch the hairs when they are longest.

Does anyone have any advice on why it is recommended to start with a WTG pass? Why do I not read about many people performing an ATG pass with every shave?

And my final question.... For the veterans out there, I am really curious how many months it took before your shave was pretty consistent and you felt the BBS feeling we newbies are seeking over a majority of your face? I am not in a rush, but I am just wondering about when and where my expectations in my technique should set.

[jojingo]

Today I actually found out that while I could go ATG on the first pass, it's easier on me, my skin and the razor to do it when the hairs are already very small and largely cut away.
Going ATG directly makes the whole edge of the razor go through a forest of tall hairs, giving resistance and irritating me more because it's harder to do and 'tugs' more.

[noggs247]

Hi BeauEnigma,
There is alot to consider when looking at different passes.
The WTG pass is what removes most of the whiskars from obvious places like cheeks,chin,neck etc
The XTG pass should meet less resistance as most of the whiskars will have gone from your face ,but may catch any whiskars that avoided the blade due to slightly different growing angle.
The ATG pass is not used by everybody as we all have different skin types,some more sensitive than others,and this pass can cause irritation to some people.But if used will catch all remaining whiskars on both neck,face and chin. It also removes just a little more stubble due to the opposite cutting angle.(beware as this can cause ingrown hairs in some cases)
Be aware that your face is unique to you and in time you will learn to shave it using maybe all of the above or you may use a kind of hybrid pass made up of say XTG/ATG.It is all down to what you find most effective when removing the whiskars.
Shaves will usually become consistent after about 50/60 shaves-although you will still be learning-you will have a good knowledge of your face and what pressure ,technique and pass to use .
Hope this helps.
Kind regards

Noggs

[jhenry]

+1 on noogs247's advice. Most straight razor shavers are quite pleased simply with WTG and XTG. I myself rarely use ATG and then only on my neck area.

Try stretching the skin on your face a bit more when you WTG and XTG. You may be quite surprised at the close shave you will achieve as a result.

[kevint]

It's been awhile since i read those advices, or maybe I didnt.

I think the advice is to start with WTG,
Because wtg is the friendliest stroke, and that's it. you are finished with the straight for the day.

If you are already doing multiple passes then do whatever you want- no one is watching through a scopewaiting for you to make an unapproved move.

Now those hairs that avoid the edge are like those of mine which do the same, I assume, and react that way because the edge is not sharp enough.

It could be stretching another thing I have never pursued to the extreme, maybe that's where we mess up.

It might also be razor dependent. while it may be theoretically true that any "good" razor is capable, it just seems there are some which do it better or more easily. For me a 4 or 5/8 hollow is easiest to get right. Not too challenging so I end up choosing 6 and 7/8 wedges as my preferred whisker weapon.

At this time beginning with ATG may prove more expedient for you. (I'm not sure I buy into the cutting down line- I grew some crazy sideburns for three months and shaved them off with a single pass EZPZ)If it hurts or causes problems, you'll need more arrows. You may want to use different strokes on various regions of the face to get the closest shave with one single de-lathering. then touch up missed spots....

[Pabster]

I use an ATG pass on most of face after my WTG/XTG passes. There are some areas where I can only get the BBS so good, such as at the base of my neck near the adams apple. It qualifies for BBS, but it isn't as 'BBS" as the other parts of my face, which I declare "super BBS".

Another area is the mustache sides. Most of the time I can get an ATG pass, but it took a little time to figure out how to get this without creating weepers and it is all in the technique and prep.

I would not say, how much time before you expect BBS shaves consistently. Its more about how many shaves you have and are you continually challenging yourself to a better shave and doing some trial and error techniques/angles/stretching..etc.

For me, at about 25 shaves, I was becoming consistent with BBS shaves. Then another 25 shaves, I become more efficient with acheiving BBS shaves in less time. Another 25 shaves and I was no longer a Padawan.

Good Luck,

Pabster

[Maxi]

I think I was around 60 or so shaves before I was consistently achieving BBS. Like Pabster, my lower neck is smooth, but not anywhere near my cheeks. I can achieve that BBS, but I am not willing to deal with the ingrowns, bits of acne, or irritation.

My perfect shaves don't have to be BBS. They need to be consistent, smooth, without knicks, and fun. Lots and lots of fun.

Also, my best shaves are the ones on a Saturday afternoon which are followed by a cigar on the balcony.

Maxi

[riooso]

Everyone is very different. It took me 2 years to consistently get BBS shaves and I had to do "special" little things that I am sure not everyone has to do or does differently. Not everyone has the same beard and some can't go ATG at all because of the way the hair grows back and causes in-growns which are a pain in the neck! My first pass is a very light N-S pass just to get a lot of the forest knocked down. Then after another 3 passes there are a couple of the same spots that I have to do touch-up on. I didn't get the really kicking shaves till I learned how the scything stroke. It also take a while to learn how to hone a razor properly if you need the absolute top performance a straight razor can offer because your beard type demands it.

Just relax, you'll get it. Still a lot more fun than the old way of shaving.

Richrd

[Alembic]

I didn't get the really kicking shaves till I learned how the scything stroke.
Richrd

+1 on the scything stroke. Made all the difference for me as well.