Thread: ATG Advice?

In my first month with a straight razor I've shaved every day and seen great improvements. I'm able to get very consistent shaves that are almost to the BBS level that I can get with three passes with my DE, and without any nicks. I'm quite comfortable doing a close pass WTG, a good XTG (ear to nose direction), and doing touchups around the chin to get very close. I've had some luck going ATG on my upper neck, but the razor always seems to stick at that point. Maybe this is just how ATG works, but I haven't been able to find any way to get that slippery feel going ATG. I've experimented with angles, lather, and grips, but I'm still not quite there.

Any good advice on getting a comfortable, slippery ATG pass? Maybe just more practice...

Start out with your cheeks and use a really flat blade angle (included angle ie:keep the spine of the razor close to you face) and take short strokes. That should work for you. Over time you can incorporate some increased angle of attack (toe vs heel like a Merkur Slant) to your blade.

I think ATG passes tell you more about the sharpness of your blade than other passes. This is because the blade cannot skip over the whisker or cut it partially and move on as it can in WTG and XTG passes. I don't think even my good ATG passes have been as smooth as a WTG pass can feel, but when the edge is not as it could be, the blade will either pull, tug or even stop. This is especially true around the chin and jowl area where whiskers tend to be sturdier. When I begin to have trouble with ATG passes, that tells me to head back to the stones.

Yea your blade needs to be in tip top condition as does your technique. If neither is you will know it fast. Also stretch that skin.

The flatter the blade is the better for ATG. The problem is that the flatter the blade the harder for an edge to catch the whisker. A truly keen blade will catch and cut with almost no resistance. Some people have neck hairs that are tough and thick and present a real challenge for the edge. Mine are like turkey quills and unbelievable tough so ATG demands a very keen edge. Some different techniques like laying the blade down and adding blade pressure accomplishes some desirable results. You will get the hang of it and everyone is a little different so enjoy the journey.

Take Care and good luck,
Richard

I have a spot on my neck that is really tough for ATG. Not only do I flatten the blade angle, I'ver found that it works better to use the heel end of the blade, since that part seems to have less give in my hand. And only do about half an inch sections working through that area, instead of trying to use the full length of the blade to attack the whole area in one stroke. Trying to take too many whiskers at once will stop the blade. And of course, as was said before, your blade needs to be well-sharpened.