Thread: It's final.. I am going to have to learn to go ATG...

Time was extra tight this morning, so I took a break from straights and did my pre-work shave with a Weber DLC DE.

The Weber line was a real game changer for me and it's absolutely amazing shaves led to a good number of DE's being sold off as they couldn't come close to the comfort and closeness of the Webers. I have the DLC and a polished and they shave the same.

I can get a five star BBS from either Webber, on back to back shaves until the blade finally gives out. And as good as this, it leaves the bar REALLY high for anything that follows. It's the relative ease and repeatability of the Webers that also put my DE shaves on automatic and sent me searching for something new.

There-in lies the challenge. I have REALLY high expectations for my straight razor shaves. A DFS isn't nearly good enough.

I've been at straights for about three months with only a single day break here and there, so I have a good base of shaves. I have two challenge areas that I can't get clean, regardless of how much tugging and pulling I do (just under the jay line, in front of my ear, non-dominant side & the very tip, bottom of my chin, on the curve). And so far, I have not tried to go ATG. I do one pass WTG and one pass, sort of diagonal. Then I touch up what I can.

I do find I am using the tip of the blade more than center or heel...

Nothing I do thus far can give me a real BBS other than doing the above with a Feather Disp Blade.. So, I am thinking, I am going to have to figure out how to go ATG with straight or forever compromise my expectations.

Any suggestions on making the transition?

I just want to say, I'm a beginner too. I've only got 3 shaves under my belt. I went straight for a 3 pass shave on my very first one. My 4-5 months practice with a Merkur 33c DE really helped me conquer the ATG pass. My personal recommendation, is go slow and remember to keep the blade angle right, and its not nearly as hard as you'd think. Then again, I've only done it thrice, what the heck do I know ? Lol.

I would advise using the straight for the WTG and the DE for the ATG for a while to get accustomed to the straight. Then, use the straight for the ATG parts which seem safest for your DE and finish with the DE. Work it in a little at a time as you gain experience and confidence. No rush! You will preservere!

Both tools work by reducing... That's why we do more than one pass. The atg pass is usually last as it's the pass that usually causes the most irritation. After having used your straight for three months, I would expect that you would be ready to do an atg pass by now. If it still irritates you - your prep might be off.

Of course, this pass after one or two previous passes is the magic pass with respect to smoothness - at least it is for me. Though you should keep in mind it takes time to master just as the others did.

All the best of luck! When it works... It really is magic lol :-) .

It can be frustrating I know. It took me 3 months for my first BBS. But when you get it you get it. I always went atg. That's the way I learned and used a de maybe 4 times in since October. I used to practice on a dry face to see how I could cut the stubble the next time. Practice the stretch before you shave. Eventually I starting doing slicing strokes. Kind of like a Gillette slide but with the straight. That will get you bbs on the face in 2 passes. I do the mustache 1 pass and its off. It takes time but anybody with steady hands, a sharp razor and the will to do it can do it. I almost gave it up several times. I will say that I have never gotten that velvet bbs from a de as I get from my straights. yMMV.

With a properly Honed razor,If you can master an XTG scything stroke on your second pass you will get BBS every time,no need for ATG.

Thanks all..

Not sure if I was clear.. I have mastered the ATG with the DE, and it's why I am lusting after it with the Straight. I don't want to mix razors (DE's and STraights in the same shave).. My grandfather didn't mix razors!!!

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

With a properly Honed razor,If you can master an XTG scything stroke on your second pass you will get BBS every time,no need for ATG.

That's pretty much where I am am. The diagonal pass is almost a scyth'ng stroke and I hear stories of BBS with two passes.

I'll just keep at it!!

Map the direction of growth in the problem areas, hold the CT a bit flatter for the ATG pass over those areas. Hope that helps somewhat...


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Map the direction of growth in the problem areas, hold the CT a bit flatter for the ATG pass over those areas. Hope that helps somewhat...


Mick

Thanks Mick... I've done a full face map and no question, it's helped a lot. The once cranky spot grows in a fire works burst pattern.. in other words, no pattern.

And it is on my non-dominant side. I've tried using my dominant hand for that spot, but it isn't working. Tried a smiled blade in hopes it would fit the spot better.. didn't make a difference. I have to try some more stretching on that side to see if I can pull the spot up over my jawbone and attack it from there.

I got one of those sorts of issues on each side of the adams apple. You might have to compromise. A DE with it's narrower blade width just might prove the more manueverable for such trouble areas.


Mick