Thread: Tried ATG

on my neck and ouch Even with the styptic pencil and aftershave, the irritation won't stop! I feel like such an idiot. Why oh why did I do the entire neck!? Why didn't I strop before my ATG pass!? Why did I attempt this at all!?

If there is any good news that came of this, there is a inch patch that is BBS although it has a lot of nicks as well >_>

Anyway, I also think I improperly stropped my razor too. I've been watching some stropping videos and in all of them I see the strop bending down with the razor. When I'm stropping, my strop doesn't even bend down at all. I keep reading about less pressure, so I really don't put any pressure on the razor. Seeing those videos made my think that I've been doing it wrong and today I added pressure and the razor made a different sound.

How do I know how much pressure to add? Should my strop be bending down? How tightly should I be holding the strop?

Gull;

Stropping like any repetitive motion requires practice. Keep at it. I have my strops on an eye bolt attached to the counter top. Yes I stretch them tight. When you pass your blade over it will bend some. If you have watched the videos then you know the process. With practice your speed will increase. On another note, you might try some Pampers sensitive baby wipes on your neck,. It has benzocaine in it which will reduce the pain from the irritation.
Mike

Originally Posted by gull

on my neck and ouch Even with the styptic pencil and aftershave, the irritation won't stop! I feel like such an idiot. Why oh why did I do the entire neck!? Why didn't I strop before my ATG pass!? Why did I attempt this at all!?

If there is any good news that came of this, there is a inch patch that is BBS although it has a lot of nicks as well >_>

Anyway, I also think I improperly stropped my razor too. I've been watching some stropping videos and in all of them I see the strop bending down with the razor. When I'm stropping, my strop doesn't even bend down at all. I keep reading about less pressure, so I really don't put any pressure on the razor. Seeing those videos made my think that I've been doing it wrong and today I added pressure and the razor made a different sound.

How do I know how much pressure to add? Should my strop be bending down? How tightly should I be holding the strop?

Damn this is eerie...I had to check your avatar to make sure that I didn't post this. My ATG absolutely sux....and I had the EXACT same question as you on the strop. My strop does not deflect in the slightest, yet every strop video I've seen the strop bends somewhat and I don't know if this means I should add pressure or not. I can't wait to see replies to this thread.

maybe a stupid question for a newbie, what is ATG ?

juko

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

My strop does not deflect in the slightest, yet every strop video I've seen the strop bends somewhat and I don't know if this means I should add pressure or not. I can't wait to see replies to this thread.

To directly answer your question, more deflection should probably come from less tension on the strop, not more pressure on the blade.

However, I don't know that I'd be that focused on how little the strop is deflecting at the spine. Since the point of stropping is to burnish the edge, we want to make sure that the edge is in constant contact with the strop as we make each stroke, but only just in contact. A very little deflection in the strop can help achieve this. But too much deflection at the spine will also cause deflection at the edge, and instead of burnishing your edge, you'll be rounding it and dulling it.

Also, consider the paddle strop. Most of the ones I've seen are made of solid wood with leather or balsa stropping surfaces--no perceptible deflection there at all, but many of our colleagues here only use paddle strops. Me, I use a webbing and leather strop, but I keep it really taut as I strop, and so far (5 months into this), I'm getting great, comfortable, BBS shaves. As always, YMMV. Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by juko

maybe a stupid question for a newbie, what is ATG ?

juko

Not a stupid question. It is internet shaving forum lingo. ATG means against the grain (of the beard growth)

Acronyms and Abbreviations - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The strop should be taut and very light pressure from the thumb/fingers to bring the blade back and forth. I have a few 7/8's blades and the weight of the blades alone is enough pressure for the stropping action, so this gives you an idea of just how light is light. The light to no pressure is more about holding the position of the razor as you strop back and forth.

First, you need to assure youself that you have a great edge on the razor.
Second, excellent face prep goes a long way in getting a good shave.
Third, try near ATG instead of ATG. Everyone needs to find what works best for them. Some just WTG, and XTG, others include near ATG, ATG
Forth, Multiple passes get the BBS shave without the nicks.

Starting out, I thought, BBS in one ATG stroke was doeable and all I to show for my effort was read face and a lot of weepers.

Good Luck and welcome to straight shave and SRP!

Pabster

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Not a stupid question. It is internet shaving forum lingo. ATG means against the grain (of the beard growth)

Acronyms and Abbreviations - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Thanks,

juko

I have been in your exact same position Gull and volleykinginnc.

I swore my skin wouldn't be able to handle atg after the first time I tried it. For me its all in the build up and three very important factors; your razor angle, stretching the skin properly and skin prep.

The razor burn from my first atg was really painful, didn't think my skin was made for it, so I thought I would concentrate on skin prep and my XTG technique. Much easier to get an understanding for how to stretch the skin and get the right angle for when you try ATG.

Its all about building it up, get a good WTG the grain technique, then XTG, then ATG if you feel that your skin can handle it. But then again I've heard members say they can get Baby Butt Smooth with XTG.


good luck guys!

You'll get alot of responses to this.

The same techniques that give razor burn w/ ATG will also do it w/ XTG and many passes on the same area also. Very shallow angle, and ABSENCE of pressure, with a mild guillotine stroke make it work. That said, there are a few of the VERY experienced guys that state bluntly that no one ever has to do ATG to get a BBS shave. Hi_Bud_GL has forgotten more than most of us will ever know - and is convinced ATG is never necessary. My holy grail pursuit is to do w/out ATG even though I can do it.

The learning curve is steep, but very rewarding. At 14 wks, I don't really focus on 100% BBS, but on a damn fine shave, and with each one, focus on a problem area (under jaw line by chin for me), or how to get the most from an XTG stroke. I'm not that good at it yet, but each shave seems to produce a DFS with a higher quality, I bleed less, less irritation, etc. If you focus on the incremental improvement, you'll bleed less and arrive at your BBS holy grail - and enjoy your shaves more.