So I am my third shave in and thankfully had no nicks or cuts doing WTG and some XTG. I have taken my time, about 30 min. and everything seemed to go well. I did two passes WTG and that was fine, no sensitive skin or redness. However once I went across the grain, I had definite redness along my mustache and chin area but no really along my cheeks. Now, I tried to do another light pass along my chin and upper lip but I could feel the blade pulling some. I didn't feel any real resistance doing WTG along my cheeks, but some on my upper lip and chin, perhaps due to thick coarse hairs?

Now as I understand it, this could be due to a few factors.

1) My blade edge is not refined enough to give a nice clean smooth shave (I had no problems WTG, felt some resistance XTG)
2) I stropped the edge too much and it rolled slightly (I did 10 strops on suede, then 50 on leather)
3) I am not using the proper amount of pressure (Trying to barely touch the skin but much harder to control XTG)
4) I have very thick beard and mustache hairs (Maybe it is just normal resistance due to thick hairs?)

Perhaps some more experienced members could help shed light on the shaving sensation when going XTG and for that matter ATG?

Thank you.