Thread: Tried ATG

against the grain requires a well-sharpened razor, the right (very shallow) angle, and light pressure with a firm stroke. I shave ATG everywhere except under my nose (the so-called "fool's pass") and a couple places on my chin that are hard to get a clean swipe on.

Burning and irritation are almost certainly due to either an unsharp razor, too steep an angle, or too heavy a touch.

I just started a bit of ATG shaving over the weekend. First day just the cheeks, next day a bit on the neck. It's like relearning the straight all over again. I didn't realize how much leeway there actually was in normal WTG passes until trying ATG! As a result of those efforts, my W/X passes have improved as well which is pretty neat .


Also Lawson - your avatar pic is excellent. Very "old school gentleman." I may have to make an effort to get a similar style pic of myself some day.

The scarey part about ATG (to me) is the awkward angles. The scales can bump things and your hand is kind of twisted around.

That's a good reason to cultivate the use of the off-hand as well, though with care and caution. Using my left hand for the ATG on the right side of my face is a little awkward, but the razor's position is essentially more stable and safe (IMO) though it has taken me about 6 months to get my left hand fully on board.

Other grip options also might need considering to make ATG manageable.

Whenever I have time, which is most mornings I have a full ATG pass except (as noted above) in the mustache area and a couple "hollows" in my chin. No irritation or ingrown whiskers, very comfortable. Other people's skin might be different, but mine is somewhat more sensitive than average.

Originally Posted by jba302

I just started a bit of ATG shaving over the weekend. First day just the cheeks, next day a bit on the neck. It's like relearning the straight all over again. I didn't realize how much leeway there actually was in normal WTG passes until trying ATG! As a result of those efforts, my W/X passes have improved as well which is pretty neat .


Also Lawson - your avatar pic is excellent. Very "old school gentleman." I may have to make an effort to get a similar style pic of myself some day.

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

That's a good reason to cultivate the use of the off-hand as well, though with care and caution. Using my left hand for the ATG on the right side of my face is a little awkward, but the razor's position is essentially more stable and safe (IMO) though it has taken me about 6 months to get my left hand fully on board.

Other grip options also might need considering to make ATG manageable.

Ditto to this. ^^

It is awkward at first, but the payoff of more options to hold the razor is sooooo worth it.

I'll tell you guys, I have been doing this since the Easter Weekend which is nearly 7 months and it's only in the last month that things have really come together as far as pressure on the razor and stropping is concerned. And the aftershave still stings and there's that wedge area under my jaw that I just can't get to my satisfaction. But these by far are the best shaves of my life (and I have been shaving about 40 years).

The cartridge razors basically exchange high prices and inconsistent results for no learning curve. It's a bad deal all around. I was 54-years-old and knew so little about shaving that I didn't know which way my whiskers grew. I think the long-term dissatisfaction created the desire for me to do whatever it took to learn to shave right and get great results.

At 55 years of age, I now look forward to and enjoy something I hated 40 years.

Same age. I first tried str8s in June. Even the less than perfect are better than the best from the disposables.

I tried ATG on one of my cheeks today with nice results. The blade got stuck often and I had to use scything strokes to get it to move anywhere. I kept the angle really low and I didn't cut myself! Some hair survived but overall it's really smooth!

When shaving ATG a good skin stretch is also important. I also agree learning to shave with your weak hand is an advantage.

Way to go, Gull! It's good when it starts coming together.

So fine, Gull! Way to lick the roadblock.

I have no doubt it will soon be routine.

Of the guys that do like to go ATG - some do daily, some do for important days. Should the skin get tender - give it a rest for a day or so.

The only time I go atg is for pesky touch-up areas that defy other strokes. That also indicates I have some learning to do on my xtg.