Thread: Shaving direction

Anybody skipping with the grain pass? When I started to shave as a teen, I would proceed directly to against the grain. I did not have much to shave and it helped. Yesterday, I did one pass across the grain, and then two passes against the grain. I liked the result.

Yes. I normally do two passes. One north south and one south north and then touch ups for BBS or out the door with a quick dfs (sometimes BBS if the blade is fresh off the hone). Due to the varied direction of growth on my neck the lower half is ATG on the first pass and the upper neck is XTG. So, in short, yes I do. I have excellent results but this is with a very sharp and smooth blade. When test shaving, sometimes the edge is "not quite there" and this method wreaks havoc on my neck. So the take away (for me) is that with a dialed in blade I am awarded a quick and smooth shave with no burn but I would be careful doing this unless you know your edge and technique are stellar.

Patrick -- I'd guess you & I have different beards. I could never go ATG, even as a teenager. As an adult I couldn't go ATG with any razor, from DE to injector to cartridge with 1,2,3 or 4 blades...even as a 2d pass. Still don't, and don't need to. Everybody is different (my version of YMMV).

I've never tried XTG and ATG for a two pass shave. I'm a daily four pass shaver as that is what I like.

But, whatever works for you is the right way.

My daily shave starts south to north which is mostly against the grain and the ears to chin which is mostly across the grain. Makes for a great daily routine and a pretty nice shave.

As the areas dictate, that is the direction. I finish with a second lathering ATG all the way. That is except for on small spot , the tendon area on y neck next to my Adam's apple. For some reason the skin is extra thin there and I've found that using a straight leads to blood. I shave that section with a DE.