Thread: Against the grain on the first pass?

I should be getting my Feather Artist Club RG any day now, and am eagerly scouring the boards trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible. There is one thing I have been wondering about though, that I haven't been able to answer myself.

As of now, I typically shave once, against the grain, with a Gillette Fusion blade. I do not get razor burn or irritation, short of a bump or two every 2-3 weeks from going too fast on my neck.

When I start with the SE, once I become proficient, can I do one pass against the grain? Does the single edge require more passes to get the same effect as the 5-blade monstrosity I am using now? Thanks in advance for your help!

I used to use a Track II and skip right to the against the grain pass. This is decidedly not as good an idea with the straight razor. I can pull of an against only shave on some of the straight-a-ways like the sideburns and kneck, but it might not be as close as if I had gone with or at least across first, and it's just plain nasty to try on the tender spots and in the curves.

X

With the feather you definitely need to reduce the stubble over several passes before going against the grain.

I too used to only shave against the grain with my disposable, multi-blade gillette. Now that I shave with straights, I always go with the grain first. Not sure if you are new to wet shaving as well, but just using cream out of an aerosol can on dry skin is one thing, but to get that really close shave that one can only get by wet shaving, you are not only softening the hairs, but the skin as well. I don't have a feather razor, but I have a disposable blade straight that is WAY too sharp for an against the grain, first pass.
If you start to get some irritation around the neck, then try doing the lower area of your neck against the grain (south to north). If your beard grows like mine, than you're actually doing a with the grain pass from the lower neck to just above the adams apple.
Good luck!
-Fred

I'd have to agree with the others: go with the grain first, then against it. One thing that has helped me get close shaves is to let my beard grow a couple of days and look really closely at which direction it grows in different areas on my face. My neck is problematic. It grows down at the jawline, sideways toward the ears in the middle, and up at the bottom. But once I figured that out and adjusted my shaving to go with the grain on the first pass, I eliminated both the tugging and the razor burn I was getting. And when I do a second pass either across the grain or directly against it, I get a closer shave than I ever managed with my Gilette. I've been doing this for a few months now and I have a lot to learn yet, but it still amazes me what a good shave I get.

SVNOTO, to be perfectly honest, your question reflects that you are not respecting that Feather razor enough.

Let me put it in perspective. THe Fusion and all other GIllette razors have been mass market razors. The pivoting head was introduced to allow the average guy to shave while exercising little or no skill. IMO, the Fusion is the first cartridge razor to really deliver while still requiring no skill. But you have to remember the skill part, because a str8 requires skill, and a Feather requires even more, as well as care.

So refocus yourself and think in terms of making it as easy as possible to learn the skill. The Feather is so sharp that it will let you take as much of your beard as you want in one pass. But that will sacrafice control, and that's when the razor will bite you.

The first thing you need to think of is using no pressure, because this razor will bloody your facec if you go to pressure. The first time, do a with the grain pass on the cheeks. Lie the blade flat against the skin and raise the spine about two spine widths, and let the weight of the razor do the stroke. You will get an excellent cut, but it may nor be totally clean. Don't worry about what's left on the face. Other passes will take care of that. I suggest not doing the neck or other complicated areas until you really have the feel of the razor. Instead try across the grain on the cheeks. It may still not be totally clean, and still don't worry about what's left. It'll probably be closer than anything you ever did with the Fusion. Until you get comfortable, the most I would do is one more across the grain on the cheeks in the other direction.

When you're really good at doing the cheeks you can branch out, but still delay going across the grain. You may never have to, but if you do, do it when you are comfortable doing your entire face. Then go against the grain only after there's a fine stubble left. This is when the edge is most likely to dig in, so you need to have the extra control available when you're cutting short stubble. Once you're able to do this, you'll have enough experience to know how early you can go against the grain and if you reall want to do it then.

Respect that razor!

Joe,
You almost make me want to try a feather just so I can add another skill set to my quiver.
Cheers,
Ed (note that I said ALMOST...maybe one day )

I love the heft of the Feather that Dave brought over and it was mad-sharp. I'll try it one fine day, but I'm in no rush to do it. Got plenty of more urgent matters that require my limited financial resources.

I have a feather razor and I must say listen to Joe he's right on . That razor is perfect with it's balance and the front end is wighted so you don't have to push.I don't know what type of blades you will be using, however I would reconmmend the featehr pro-guard. It has a 'ribbing' on the edge so it will lessen the depth of any nicks. After awhile I reconmmend the feather 'professional' type blade.

I love that razor for traveling also. It's sturdy, and the head is compact thus giving me the a nice pass over and under the jaw line. I would shave in truck stop rest rooms with ease and speed,... don't want to get in the way of over the road drivers.

When I get home that is when I could relax and strop my 5/8 singing razor and have a nice shave..Nick

I may really buy one for travelling as I tend to get emotionally attached to every razor that I get. At least I can take the feather with my carryon and not worry about it.