Thread: How's it goin eh!

Hello and Welcome to the forum Trevor.
Glad you dropped in and looking forward to meeting you here in CowTown.
Word of warnng,.....this can be a bit addictive, not that I would know first hand but I've heard.

Haha thanks I fully expect it to be addictive. Thanks for for being local and willing to help with the journey look forward to meeting and taking a look at some blades.

Huzzah for local peeps.

Okay, I am very likely getting way ahead of myself, since i don't even have possession of a SR yet, but........... In reference to first pass when shaving. Everyone says WTG for first pass and 100% that is the way to go, but I also see people saying that you want to make sure you are going N-S on the first pass. Now everyones face is different and so i wanted to get some opinions. When I get my hands on my SR which of those rules is best to follow. For sideburns and Most of cheek n-s is wtg but as soon as i am below the jaw line (no i wont be there on my first shave.....well..... i will try to stop) N-S doesn't even come close to WTG. My thought is ignoring actual direction across my face it is more important that i learn the direction my facial hair grows and follow the WTG XTG ATG progression????

As a side note, until this week when i actually started paying attention i never realized how erratic the hair growth on my face and neck was. Getting better shaves with $0.25 disposable razors lately than ever did with electric face peelers.

You have it figured right - N-S is the usual WTG above the jaw, below can be different. Mine actually goes a couple directions on the neck. With a DE I always went out and down from center on the first neck pass, and that seems to be best for now with a straight. You can always experiment with pass direction with the disposable while you are waiting.

Originally Posted by WildeTee

Okay, I am very likely getting way ahead of myself, since i don't even have possession of a SR yet, but........... In reference to first pass when shaving. Everyone says WTG for first pass and 100% that is the way to go, but I also see people saying that you want to make sure you are going N-S on the first pass. Now everyones face is different and so i wanted to get some opinions. When I get my hands on my SR which of those rules is best to follow. For sideburns and Most of cheek n-s is wtg but as soon as i am below the jaw line (no i wont be there on my first shave.....well..... i will try to stop) N-S doesn't even come close to WTG. My thought is ignoring actual direction across my face it is more important that i learn the direction my facial hair grows and follow the WTG XTG ATG progression????

As a side note, until this week when i actually started paying attention i never realized how erratic the hair growth on my face and neck was. Getting better shaves with $0.25 disposable razors lately than ever did with electric face peelers.

My WTG would be nose to ear for my cheek but I still start out NS, XTG. I usually only do one pass, across. If I do two then the next is against.

Eeep. Thanks to member Raol I now have a shave ready razor in my possession ahead of my strop. Now to dig through the house and find an appropriate make shift strop for the mean time.

Originally Posted by Hart

My WTG would be nose to ear for my cheek but I still start out NS, XTG. I usually only do one pass, across. If I do two then the next is against.

Wondering, did you get that backwards? Or are you referring to how your beard grows? North-South would be WTG, as in sideburn to jawline. From nose to ear, i.e., E-W, would be XTG, and S-N would be ATG. Then you get into NE-SW for your scything pass?

Usually, for me at least, I start with an all over WTG, then I re-lather and go ATG all over, re-lather again and go XTG on the cheeks and an ATG pass again on the neck line. Sometimes I'll also add a scything stroke along the cheek and neck area as well.

If you have a proper leather belt with a smooth surface it should work just fine. Avoid those glossy dress belts though. Another tip: if you play guitar you can use a nylon guitar strap as a material strop (in place of linen/cotton/canvas) and if the strap is leather that can be used as a alternative as well.

Oh, and welcome from a member in Edmonton

Ooh I never even thought about the guitar strap. Good call

I got a shavette type straight with the disposable blades with my straight tried it didn't like it very very sharp but almost over sharp and I had to be quite aggressive on my angles. The straight was much nicer to use granted I've had a few nicks learning but now I'm down to 2-3 nicks tops per shave on my second week of proper use doing my whole face. I would say get into it very close shave no replacing bladed feels great and you get a lot of satisfaction out of getting better and learning the art :-)