I've been SR shaving for about 2-3 months now. I'm getting quite comfortable with my WTG and XTG shaving. But even when I do both of these passes, there is still significant stubble around my face. I attribute this to hair which grows almost parallel to the skin.

Every once in a while, I'll try ATG after my WTG and XTG passes, on the part of my neck that is flat and easy to shave. No matter how sharp my blade, it tugs to the point of (almost) not budging. In fact, just today i touched up my blade with some crox and indeed my WTG and XTG passes felt much smoother, no tugging at all even on those pesky chin whiskers. But when I tried ATG, i had to push so much that I got some awful razor burn and a couple weepers. Yeah, I know, that was a bad idea.

But I can't understand why no matter what I try, ATG won't work for me. I use a more watery lather for that pass, I use such a shallow angle so that the spine is flat on my skin, and I stretch my skin as much as I can against the grain. I know a comfortable shave is important, but unless I do ATG when I shave (str8 or otherwise), my face feels like 100 grit sandpaper. Any suggestions?