Thread: 3 Pass Shave Failure

So I just got finished watching geofatboy over at Youtube do a 3 pass shave because I figured I was doing something wrong. Well I'm not, I just truly believe that my razor isn't sharp enough for the 3rd ATG pass it doesn't matter how tight I pull the skin the razor just doesn't glide for me like it does for him. I just recently had it honed and I know the blade is sharp what's going on here? Not stropping correctly, I know my beard prep is good. I honestly feel like all I'm in the process of doing is cutting myself, kind of scary.

Check your angles. I'll bet you have your angle too steep. What your going through is a normal and common as you can get. It takes several shave to get the hang of it, hang in,you'll get it and it's worth it.

Stroping could be an issue,
I have also found tha I use a smaller angle and scything motion with my AGT pass and that there is more resistance,
but after time I think you learn to push a bit for the cut/shave with no additional pressure on the face.
Do you have somone near by that you could meet up with?

Nobody nearby that I know of.

Geez yea, trying ATG for a beginner is scary for sure. You need a good slick lather and I have the spine of the blade nearly touching my skin going ATG. I used very short, very light strokes in the beginning also. Go slowly and carefully till you get the hang of it.

Bob

Wait until you an expert doing a two pass shave before attempting ATG, 6/8mos.gotta learn to walk before you can run.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Wait until you an expert doing a two pass shave before attempting ATG, 6/8mos.gotta learn to walk before you can run.

Yea, probably the best advise yet.

Bob

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Wait until you an expert doing a two pass shave before attempting ATG, 6/8mos.gotta learn to walk before you can run.

Ok so what exactly should I be shooting for, results wise, with only a WTG and XTG passes. I need something of a standard by which I can gauge my progression. Something that will tell me hey I'm ready to move on ya know.

Do the areas that you can with the straight and clean up the rest with a DE. That is what many of us did in the beginning. I'm assuming you can get your cheeks with the straight ? If the easier areas aren't getting "there" then either your technique is really lacking or the razor is not sharp enough....... or it is a combination of both. IMHO.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Do the areas that you can with the straight and clean up the rest with a DE. That is what many of us did in the beginning. I'm assuming you can get your cheeks with the straight ? If the easier areas aren't getting "there" then either your technique is really lacking or the razor is not sharp enough....... or it is a combination of both. IMHO.

Hmmm, I can shave my entire face no issue WTG/XTG a deficiency there was never even posed in this thread. You know all this information is great I just don't buy into the idea that I need take 6/8 months to start shaving with a 3rd pass ATG. The old adage walk before you run is fantastic but in the real world as circumstance would have it, its the other way around much of the time at least I know I didn't come into this world with a silver spoon in my mouth.

Shaving with a straight razor is not rocket science as many would have us newbies believe. In fact the process is quite simple hence my upset at the ATG pass. No worries though there are plenty of other USEFUL sources on the web. PEACE.