So its been a little over a year since I picked up a straight razor and my face and I couldn't be happier. All is well, yet there is still one issue I am constantly facing. I can get a fairly close, bloodless, with-the-grain shave any day. However, my troubles lie in going back and doing an against-the-grain shave. Maybe the hair is too short, maybe I have sensitive skin, or maybe something is wrong with my razors, but all of my ATG shaves are always bloody and really rough after WTG passes. I'm going slow, have good lather, and my angle is good, it just feels like the hair is really short and stiff to get a smooth shave.

I have a similar problem for a few days after I shave. I can't shave after 2-3 days because the hair is too short and almost stiff, going ATG would definitely cause some blood loss, almost as if I need to wait until the hair is long to have a smooth shave.

Anybody have similar experiences? Any advice?

Thanks!