Here is a simple way to find your beards natural growth pattern. 12-24 hours after a fresh shave just apply some of your favorite aftershave to a cotton ball and apply it to your face using vertical swipes from top to bottom. You will feel hesitation exactly where the grain changes and you will also see cotton debris following swipes that are against the grain (ATG). Hopefully this will help people who are new to straight shaving "get a feel" for their beards growth pattern and in return achieve a better shave.