Thread: WTG Pass Doesn't Reduce Much

I'm only about 4-5 shaves into the art of the straight, but the realization that I made today was that my WTG pass just doesn't reduce much hair.

My XTG pass reduces more, but it seems to me that I don't get an even remotely effective shave without the ATG. After my ATG pass, I have areas of my face that are actually BBS. This was very encouraging especially because I was so frustrated after my WTG pass. I'm almost considering just going straight to ATG next shave.

I tried increasing my angle a little on my WTG pass to see if that would help, but it didn't really and just felt irritated. I'm not sure if my beard is too soft or too flat or what. The only way I could get a close enough shave even with my Fusion was going ATG, but it did get my close to BBS on occasion.

I know the answer will be technique, technique, technique, but any specific advice on what I should try would be appreciated.

Cheers,
ElChe

I say don't worry about it. I usually only get about 10-20% reduction on my first pass too. No harm, no foul....I'm convinced that it's just the way that my hair grows, not my technique. As long as you get a good shave on the backside of your shave, that's the real important part

Be patient. Learning to use a straight takes time.

Next time you shave, after a WTG stroke, gently wipe the lather off your blade onto a white tissue (spine first, same as stropping). You might find that you're removing more hair on your WTG pass than you suspect.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

It may depend on the direction of your beard hairs. I can get a visually mostly clean look on the sideburns with a simple WTG pass. I get a cleaner look on much of my jawline with a "WTG" pass, in quotes because a downwards pass is for most people with-the-grain but because of the direction of many hairs on my jawline it functions as more of a XTG. Get what I'm saying?

I've yet to have the self-control to not go for a closer shave with a straight razor. Despite the time spent stropping and the drying and re-oiling that goes with blade maintenance and care, I can't seem to keep myself from going past the first pass (WTG/downwards). Now that I have nice soaps/creams and NPR classical music playing on an alarm-clock/radio for the shaves I'm even more at the mercy of the blade. Oh well. Think of the WTG pass as foreplay. It gets you "in the mood."

What helps me with that is more STRETCHING, making screwed-up faces, whatever it takes to get taut skin and hairs standing up to be mowed down.

My WTG passes are simply a starting point. There have been many times that I have just done a WTG shave and gone to work. It looks like a clean shave, but...... you can certainly feel the whiskers when you rub you hand XTG. My XTG pass is actually ATG as my beard grows in a mouth to ear type direction and the second pass on this is what really cleans everything up for me. Then we have sticky smooooove............

Have fun,

Lynn

I still can't do X cut...the blade tends to dig as I go up, and the fear of laying my face open kicks in...WTG seems to keep it smooth enough...

It was the exact same way for me when I first started shaving with a straight. I have a thick, dark, coarse beard and I was consistently doing two passes to even look presentable.

Now, I shave every morning prior to work and only do one pass WTG and I am getting closer shaves then I was with my two passes. In fact, my one WTG pass now is as close as my cartridge razor prior to switching to straights.

It takes time and practice, but I guarantee that you will soon be removing a much larger percentage of your beard on your first pass in time.

Originally Posted by ElChe

I'm only about 4-5 shaves into the art of the straight, but the realization that I made today was that my WTG pass just doesn't reduce much hair.

My XTG pass reduces more, but it seems to me that I don't get an even remotely effective shave without the ATG. After my ATG pass, I have areas of my face that are actually BBS. This was very encouraging especially because I was so frustrated after my WTG pass. I'm almost considering just going straight to ATG next shave.

I tried increasing my angle a little on my WTG pass to see if that would help, but it didn't really and just felt irritated. I'm not sure if my beard is too soft or too flat or what. The only way I could get a close enough shave even with my Fusion was going ATG, but it did get my close to BBS on occasion.

I know the answer will be technique, technique, technique, but any specific advice on what I should try would be appreciated.

Cheers,
ElChe

I read an article from 1972 over the weekend that implied the same thing you're thinking, that the WTG is useless and you ought to cut to the chase and start ATG.

I decided to test that theory just to see if eliminating the WTG pass, meaning one fewer pass during the shave, was the way to go.

Wrong. Starting ATG was uncomfortable, because there was more hair to cut off and there was pull and drag. So I scrapped that idea in about the first 15-20 seconds of the shave and started WTG. I went WTG, then XTG, then ATG and there was a lot less resistance.

As little as it seems that each pass takes off, it's a gradual beard reduction every time and results in a better, closer, more comfortable shave.

In 40 years of falling for every gimmick put out on the market, today's Schicks and Gillettes try to sell you on a faster shave with multiple blade cartridges. At first it works and then the results and the comfort level off.

The advice is to treat yourself to the razor of your choice, use an old-fashioned shave cream or soap and a brush, take your time, and indulge in this to the point that it is enjoyable. Finish off with a nice aftershave and you will feel an air of confidence as you start your day.

Standard shave is WTG, XTG, ATG. Some people can get BBS with just WTG, bu they have years of experience under their belt.

I'm like Lynn. If I don't need to be BBS, I find a WTG reduces my beard to what looks like a normal shave. If I'm going out on the town with my girl, then I go all the way with ATG so that cheek to cheek time is nice