Is ATG just not for me?

I have been straight for nearly a month now (DE for a few months before that), and I'm able to get somewhat consitently comfortable shaves. The last 2 days I've tried going ATG on my neck only. Most of it goes really well until I get close to my jaw/chin line where my hair gets really thick. When I get here the razor either just stops or my face bleeds like crazy.

Should I just give up ATG, or will I get better? If ATG is unreasonable, is it possible to get a decently close shave under my chin w WTG, XTG?

It's possible. I know ATG gives me quite a few issues, especially in the 'stache area.

What's the condition of your edge (like how many uses)? What was it finished on? Could it be made sharper than what you're currently used to?

It's very possible, with proper technique and a sharp razor (which only comes experience) to get a great shave going ATG. That being said, many peoples' skin simply will not tolerate it. Only time will tell for you. A good indicator is if you can shave ATG with other types of razors.

I will also mention that as your technique improves the need for ATG becomes less; WTG and XTG will provide a smooth, close and irritation-free shave....

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Originally Posted by AxelH

What's the condition of your edge (like how many uses)? What was it finished on? Could it be made sharper than what you're currently used to?

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Great questions. I sometimes wonder if my blade is getting dull. I've been using the edge for nearly a month, but its my first month which includes all of my newbie mistakes and technique. I shave every day and have missed precisely 1 day. It was purchased fro SRD professionally honed. I have another one coming from WhippedDog (honed) and I plan on comparing the 2 edges

far to much is put into ATG talk,your next blade should/will be pro honed.two WTG passes will give you a DFS
Don't stress over ATG stuff,JMO.

ATG is best done with a really sharp blade. The ATG pass is more demanding of an edge, and if the edge is ready for it, it works fine. I've started doing what I call "ATG lite" passes, passes where I stretch the skin with the aid of a washcloth but use little pressure and move the blade quickly. It has seemed to work well.

I've been shaving 11 months now and I only shave WTG, 2-passes. My razor is sharp and my shaves are smooth.

ATG is strictly optional and not mandatory, I dont use it at all times or all places on my face.

I think you have unrealistic expectations to be trying ATG after only one month but if the razor stops & or cuts you, you most likely have the wrong angle of attack &/or a dull razor you have degraded by inexperienced stropping. Your next blade may well be better because you have not stropped it.
I don't mean to sound critical. It just takes some time to get all aspects of shaving wired . Take your time.

Most of my edges are quite capable of ATG, but my skin doesn't like it. If I ATG on the 'stache area, I get white bumps. My WTG/XTG/XTG shaves get me to a happy place.

I usually do the same thing. Stay in the "happy place".

It is not uncommon for the blade to want to stop on the area you are describing. Obviously sharpness is an issue, but usually if you lift your chin higher to stretch the neck and lower jaw/chin area, you should find it easier to shave and less likely to nick.

Have fun.

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I usually do the same thing. Stay in the "happy place".

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There's beer in my happy place.

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I usually do the same thing. Stay in the "happy place".

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I do like the happy place...

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll just focus on WTG, XTG for now. I was a bit concerned initially, because every video I could find was 2 passes, WTG and XTG (cheeks) ATG (neck) including Lynn's excellent DVD. I did get my WhippedDog razor this morning and I honestly couldn't tell a difference between that and my month old Dovo edge; although I didn't try it ATG.

I've only been doing this as long as you so I'm no expert. But I have been addressing the same issue and I think I've learned a couple things that help. Others have already brought up blade sharpness. That's made the biggest difference for me. Pointing the chin up to stretch the skin is good advice too.
But unlike DE shaving for me, going ATG may not always be necessary for BBS. I've found that WTG and XTG with a straight gives a closer shave than the same strokes with DE. With a couple good WTG/XTG passes, I can often get BBS by angling somewhere between XTG and ATG in those spots where ATG is not easy.

I've only been shaving with an SR for a couple of weeks but I'll throw-in here because I just overcame this exact problem last night. I kept getting hung up on that same spot. I could sometimes pull it off on my right side, using my left hand but always tugged and pulled to a stop right under my jawbone on ATG on my left.

Three things I did (not sure which combination did the trick):
1) Leap of faith! I had to stretch my neck more and point my chin as high higher while stretching my skin with my other hand, just below the razor. I call this a leap of faith because I couldn't maintein eyes on my neck and was shaving that area "blind". It was a little scary but actually not very hard just going by feel.
2) Watch the angle. When I stopped looking and just started feeling, I realized that I wasn't changing the angle nearly enough to following the curve up my jaw.
3) Micro-stretching. I kept the skin tight by stretching just below my razor hand and following the razor up, very closely. I tried to mimic a barber shave I watched on youtube.
4) Intermission stropping. Since I've already done a full WTG pass and some XTG, I thought maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to strop again before doing ATG. I have no idea if this is good technique or not but it made me feel better :)

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

I think you have unrealistic expectations to be trying ATG after only one month but if the razor stops & or cuts you, you most likely have the wrong angle of attack &/or a dull razor you have degraded by inexperienced stropping. Your next blade may well be better because you have not stropped it.
I don't mean to sound critical. It just takes some time to get all aspects of shaving wired . Take your time.

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Exactly right. The razor has to be well honed and stropped. I have been straight shaving for over three years, but have only been going ATG the last few months. It was almost like a beginner learning to shave. It takes a while to get the hang of it anyway, so dont give up.

I never go ATG. the angle of my stubble to my face is too low (in fact my beared totally lies on my face and this makes ATG very aggressive on my face.).
by the way I am not sure "I have been straight for nearly a month" was the best choice of wording ;) lol I was joking.

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Originally Posted by danielghofrani

I never go ATG. the angle of my stubble to my face is too low (in fact my beared totally lies on my face and this makes ATG very aggressive on my face.).

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I have the same issue on my neck. Shaving ATG on flat whiskers is a SUREFIRE path to ingrowns and irritation as it cuts below skin level.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

I have the same issue on my neck. Shaving ATG on flat whiskers is a SUREFIRE path to ingrowns and irritation as it cuts below skin level.

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Couldn't have put it better myself sir.

I havent used the ATG pass in quite some time. IMO if you have a truly shave ready, sharp razor, you can avoid the ATG pass. Just make the usual WTG, XTG, XTG pass and that's it. The KEY is that you should be using a slicing/scything motion when stroking the razor on your face. You're supposed to stroke the razor down and over at the same time, kind of like slicing down and through a piece of bread. the only problem is that you need to use a VERY light touch and not slice "too" much. If you check old barber's manuels and on youtube you will see this is the proper stroke for a straight razor shave and old books never recommend ATG passes.

I feel like less of a man now... I have been doing this SR things for a little over 3 years now and still use ATG