Thread: ATG feedback question

I just started with my ATG passes and have a question about the razor hanging up. It happens haphazardly regardless of pass location. And I'm not sure if it's the shave readiness of the razor or my technique. WTG passes are smooth. So is it me , the razor, or something else like it just happens to the best of us.

Could be the razor, could be technique
Have you tried lowering the angle of the razor?
That is very much required for a smooth atg-stroke.

Originally Posted by Birnando

Could be the razor, could be technique
Have you tried lowering the angle of the razor?
That is very much required for a smooth atg-stroke.

Yes but my consistency is not perfect. I'm going to slow down and focus better. I just wasn't sure if ATG should feel as effortless as WTG. Sometimes I get it right and it's good. Is their any tell tail sign that it would definitely be the razor? I know it's hard to pin down given my experience. So in the meantime, I,ll give it a better study.

Try lowering your angle (near flat), use very short strokes and make sure your lather is slick. If that doesn't work then there's a good chance it's your razor.

I have some ATG spots that will slow down any blade it seems. The are 2 angles to watch also. If you taking a slight slice angle and not straight against the grain it will go easier through the thick of it. Seems that way to me anyhow. I think if it was more the blade it would be all over the place hanging. Like you say, pay more attention to details and you will learn to tell.

I generally weaken the lather by adding more water for the ATG pass. I also use VERY short strokes. For the ATG pass (esp under the neck) I hold the razor very very lightly using just two fingers at the pivot. This means that if it does tend to dig in it won't do any damage...

+1 with 10pups slicing action. scything stroke really come into its own atg. i have the spine almost touching my face as well but its a delicate balance

+1 on the above advice. If it's haphazard then that usually means you just have to dial in your technique. Prep and good lather is key, especially on the second or third pass that the ATG usually happens on...unless you're like me and a down stroke on the left side of your neck is actually against the grain (a mix of ATG, WTG and XTG actually )...then it's on the first pass

Ok thanks for the feedback so far.

I shaved tonight and really kept the blade flat with the spin near touching and during those ATG strokes it managed nicely. I also really focused on the side burns since its one area that is easy to get right and they are BSS. So with this I think its not the razor and more my technique.

My under chin area or upper neck area is tricky, and the ATG stroke would need to go from my earlobe and down to just below my Adam's apple. I struggle trying to figure which hand to use on which side of my face. All of my WTG strokes are so simple.

I need to watch more videos for more varieties of how others tackle these areas. I need to get more shaves under my belt plain and simple.

I now have two razors. One is a Ralf Aust that I re-honed myself ( I dropped it) and the other is a razor I just received today, in fact, and it's the one I shaved with. This razor was purchased from Maxi here on the forums which he shave tested before it was sent. I had the same issue as with my Ralf Aust in my trouble areas so I'm hypothesizing that my Razors are shaving well.

Originally Posted by Fort

Ok thanks for the feedback so far.

I shaved tonight and really kept the blade flat with the spin near touching and during those ATG strokes it managed nicely. I also really focused on the side burns since its one area that is easy to get right and they are BSS. So with this I think its not the razor and more my technique.

My under chin area or upper neck area is tricky, and the ATG stroke would need to go from my earlobe and down to just below my Adam's apple. I struggle trying to figure which hand to use on which side of my face. All of my WTG strokes are so simple.

I need to watch more videos for more varieties of how others tackle these areas. I need to get more shaves under my belt plain and simple.

I now have two razors. One is a Ralf Aust that I re-honed myself ( I dropped it) and the other is a razor I just received today, in fact, and it's the one I shaved with. This razor was purchased from Maxi here on the forums which he shave tested before it was sent. I had the same issue as with my Ralf Aust in my trouble areas so I'm hypothesizing that my Razors are shaving well.

It's easy to get BBS on your face...neck and chin are a different story!
What helped me map out my neck grain was getting a DE.
You'll figure out what works for you.

I use the opposite hand for ATG...right hand for left side etc.
As long as it's comfortable for you and you don't limit yourself to one hand, you'll get it.