Thread: First time against the grain

Originally Posted by fccexpert

This happens not to be the case for me. I have done this test several times with the same results:

1 )There is no stubble WTG, XTG or ATG

2) Additional passes do not increase the smoothness of the shave

3) Additional passes, especially ATG passes, always cause irritation

Keep in mind that a proper once over shave is not the same thing as a single WTG stroke. There are multiple strokes over many areas, and the scything motion insures that the orientation of the edge relative to the direction of hair growth is highly variable both during each stroke as well as from stroke to stroke. Essentially, each stroke is a hybrid of WTG and XTG.

Also, my stretching hand is constantly being adjusted to maximize tension, this means that it is regularly in contact with just shaved portions of my face. This gives constant and immediate feedback as to the quality of the shave; allowing for adjustment and touch-up action in the middle of the pass.

This would make a great video -- if you don't mind your mug being posted on the 'net!

I do four passes (WTG, XTG, ATG and usually XTG in the other direction). I could probably get by with less; but straight shaving is my luxury time.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

...There are multiple strokes over many areas, and the scything motion insures that ...

I think the usefulness of a scything motion is often underestimated. Combined with multiple strokes over an area it should give good results.
But we're all different. People who can go ATG without it causing problems will benefit from it, even if it is not necessary. It's kind of spooky being BBS 24 hours after a shave, but it happens on a good day.

Depends on your facial hair. I could never be BBS for 24 hours after any shave ever. Been shaving since I was 12-13 and I look like Homer Simpson four hours in to a shave no matter what. I used to have a beard and I could put objects in it and they'd stay upright, that's how thick it was.

If you need an ATG to get the shave close, then go for it.
I need three passes, or two and then a touch up where I feel stubble with my hand. Just water on the touch up is okay .

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I think the usefulness of a scything motion is often underestimated.

Not by me! sything gets in to the hollows of my neck without the need for a strictly ATG pass. One area has a NW-SE growth pattern and I get it BBS with a S-N stroke with a scyth.

There are many ways to skin a cat for sure.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

People who can go ATG without it causing problems will benefit from it, even if it is not necessary. It's kind of spooky being BBS 24 hours after a shave, but it happens on a good day.

How long you can go BBS after a shave has nothing to do with ATG or not. Assuming you have reached the point where there is no noticable stubble after a shave by what ever approach you use, how long this feeling will last is entirely a function of how fast your hair grows. On average, this is about 0.4mm/day, but it does differ from person to person, and an 0.4 mm growth is very noticable to the touch.

The only way an ATG or other pass after achieving BBS would extend the time until hair growth was noticable is if you are somehow cutting the hair to below the skin surface. This is a very bad idea as you will end up with ingrown hairs.

I never go for a full face ATG pass for a couple reasons. A) I do not require it across my entire face as XTG seems to do the job (and I DON'T have a light whispy beard), and B) There are some area of my face that simply will not tolerate ATG whatsoever due to my skin type. Having said that I always do a third pass, ATG, below my chin to the adams apple to get truly BBS. The whiskers lay nearly flat and grow directly downwards, so WTG and XTG won't cut it there.

I think finding the balance of needing the ATG is some areas over others is key. Sometimes I'm too lazy to try to isolate those particular areas though, and I just do a full pass atg.

For me, two good passes gets 100% - 90% done, but since I am BBS obsessed, sometimes, a third pass is in order to clean up rough spots on the jaw line and the lower neck near the adams apple. The lower neck needs a slant N/S pass going a little east and west since these hairs grow east and west. My straight is just to big to go ATG. It takes a careful touch, but it cuts those hairs just right - BBS, but not too much to cause bumps or burns. When all goes well, two good passes gets it all done. Other times I need the third pass touch up.

Some areas of the face like XTG and ATG and some just like XTG/slants You just need to find what works for you and it is a bit of a trial and error effort.

Good Luck!

Pabster