Thread: Starting Against the Grain?

He's saying that he does it but you shouldn't. Somewhere on B&B there was a discussion of this video, and some german speaking members provided a synopsis of the guy's commentary.

Not recommended. Not sure why he does it, but best practice is to start shaving with the grain.

From the sound his razor makes as he shaves, my impression is that it's not optimally sharp. Ouch. Beard prep was a bit brief too.

Also, stropping...sounds like he is stropping on sandpaper. Pasted? Technique?? As long as he's happy...yes??


Scott

I think his whole philosophy on shaving can be summed up in the only English I thought I heard.

Right at the beginning when he held up his razor, I could swear I heard "No risk, no fun"

Odd stropping, ATG first pass = risk = fun (for him, I guess)

I'll go against the grain on the first pass on my cheeks, neck and sideburns. There's not much there so it's not an issure for me.

X

After experimentation I find going atg on my neck first is better for me. Otherwise its wtg everywhere else the first pass.

It actually doesn't sound like a bad idea when you think about it. Going WTG is cutting into a shaft of hair which is sloped in an obtuse angle away from the oncoming blade. In that case, relatively sharper areas along the cutting edge may slice, while lesser areas may just push the hair shaft down.

Going ATG would seem to 'trap' the blade into the acute angle formed by the hair shaft pointing towards the blade. More force would then be required to push it over, instead of pushing it down which may translate into more hairs beig sliced due to the increased force relative to WTG.

Anyway, that's how I see the mechanics. I'll wait to try that hypothesis once I've got a decent handle on how to shave the right way... Long way to go. - John

It's easy to think of the hair independent of, and forgetting about, it's entire anatomy.

By shaving a long (relative length) hair against the grain, there is increased possibility of cutting into the hair follicle while cutting the hair. By cutting with the grain, the razor will tend to ride over the follicle leaving it intact.

Shaving ATG can also lead to ingrown hairs as it may cut the hair below skin level causing the hair to re-grow underneath the skin.