Thread: Running into bloody problems with 3rd pass ATG

Originally Posted by Bart

Having the same beard creates a bond I would guess. You have an incoming friend request.
Luckily most of us who require ATG passes, usually also manage to get away with one.

Bart.

Request approved, of course!

I really can't imagine not doing any ATG pass. Everything before is mere reduction.

My 81 year old father used to get a barber shave on a regular basis in his younger days.He told me of one barber in Liverpool England who gave him the best shaves of his life and he NEVER shaved ATG. Just WTG XTG and a little touching up.I guess it's the old tradesman and tools argument.

Originally Posted by spinyeel

My 81 year old father used to get a barber shave on a regular basis in his younger days.He told me of one barber in Liverpool England who gave him the best shaves of his life and he NEVER shaved ATG. Just WTG XTG and a little touching up.I guess it's the old tradesman and tools argument.

I think, like most things that go with straight shaving, it depends on the person's facial hair growth pattern.

Reading this thread makes me feel so much better!

I have a sparse but very coarse beard, with all the hairs coming out parallel to the skin; a barber told me it would be a nightmare to shave. He's right. My skin is also pretty baggy - I'll probably look like Walter Mathau in a few years.

Most modern multi-blade razors have almost no effect on my neck unless I go ATG and *scrub*. That leads to those lovelly welling droplets of blood all over my neck . . .

I shave with a straight about 50% of the time. I find that I can get a 'cosmetically' ok shave going with the grain in one pass. A 'kissing' shave is pretty hard, tho.

One thing I struggle with is getting a hot lather. If I use a multi-blade razor I put a hot cloth on my face for 30s, then slap some shave oil on. My face is still warm and relaxed while I shave.

If I go for a brush and lather, I end up with cold lather on my face, which doesn't produce good results. What is the secret to warm/hot lather, or isn't it possible?

I have a Moss type scuttle and it is the bomb for warm lather through out the shave.

Have fun,

Lynn

I guess I'm one of those guys who are lucky enough to get a neat, clean shave with only WTG and XTG, except for some spots. But I can't go ATG because my skin is too tender for it. I tried but had no success... perhaps my razor isn't sharp enough or my technique is still off. But if I can get a clean shave without it, why bother? I did manage to get full BBS with my DE... but the results were a bit painfull - I had the first ingrown hair in years...

Originally Posted by Lynn

I have a Moss type scuttle and it is the bomb for warm lather through out the shave.

Have fun,

Lynn

'scuse me for my ignorance, but what is a scuttle and how do you use one?

Tried shaving in the bath, no mirror. Damn it, still haven't learned not to move my head while shaving ::-)

Originally Posted by mrcharly

'scuse me for my ignorance, but what is a scuttle and how do you use one?

Tried shaving in the bath, no mirror. Damn it, still haven't learned not to move my head while shaving ::-)

A scuttle is a kind of shaving mug with the following main differences from the first: is has a container for hot water underneath another bowl that holds the soap or is empty so you can lather in it. If you google "scuttle" you'll find some images, for sure. But, despite the fact that a real scuttle is probably better, you can keep the lather warm the way I - and a lot of folks here - do: find 2 bowls that fit into eachother, provided that one is bigger and leaves some empty space between them. Fill the bigger one with hot water, lather in the smaller one and then, after that, put the latter in the first, providing that you are carefull enough not to get water into the lather bowl. That way you have hot water around the lather bowl and the lather remains warm for a bit longer, perhaps enough for the whole shave.

Concerning the shaving in the bath thing... I would say STOP IT! It's bloody hell dangerous! If you drop the straight... imagine the damage it can do to your feet, your legs or even your wedding vegetables!!!! And you shave without a mirror? That's cool if it's on a dry surface... but in the shower?! You'll nick your head off in no time...

Great post/question
I have some of the same questions and concerns. Mrcharly, you have the exact same beard as me.

I have found that in my beard situation, prep is half the battle. I have sparse hair but they are Sequoia Red Wood forest hairs. Hot shower, hot wet towel (2 minutes), then lather (in which I need lots of work), with 2nd hot wet towel 2 minutes, fresh hot lather (during which time I strop). Then I hit the easy strokes first - checks, flat neck. Releather those areas and hit the harder jawline and chin. . . .

Jawline; Pull the skin up like the 1st and 2nd cheek stroke. With loose skin, this should "lift" the skin that normally sits ON the edge to the flat area of the lower cheek. WTG pass here on both sides, re-lather immediately and pass XTG both sides, re-lather and let sit. Hit other areas but do not let the "ledge" get dry. Do the throat or another area. Before the ATG pass, linen strop and then follow with leather strop. Make sure the "ledge" is wet enough, then hit the ATG pass - again, lifting the skin.

You should be good to go. Give it a try.

Good luck,

Alpsman

Well, I only acquired one nick, and that was from being stupid and turning my head rather than moving the blade. Ended up being the smoothest shave I've had in a long time. Still baby-smooth this morning and I'm normally like a porcupine by morning.

I didn't use lather this time, but soaked my face with a hot towel, applied shower gel, then re-soaked.