Thread: Does anyone not shave against the grain?

I do a 2.5 pass shave every day first pass WTG 2nd pass ATG and for the .5 portion I have to go XTG on my neck to finish up - the hair on my neck grows directly across. I'm lucky, I do not get ingrown hair as a result of going ATG.

I generally do not make an ATGass unless going out. Even when I do an ATG I have difficulty with the neck as the hair grows horizonally from L to R and I cannot seem to get a good position on it.

The only place I ever do ATG is on my chin/jawline--the hair lies ultra flat there. Otherwise XTG gets me BBS.

Originally Posted by Yahoochiewatchie

Does anyone get a smooth enough shave by shaving with the grain only?

This is somewhat subjective as the numerous replies above indicate. How do you define "smooth enough"? I get as smooth, if not a "smoother," shave by going only with the grain as I do using a Mach 5 (or 6, 7, 10 or whatever # of blades). But, I can still feel stubble if I move my hand in certain directions across my face. Obviously, to alleviate that, I would have to move a blade in that direction.

Whether you go across the grain, or against the grain, depends upon some factors, mainly in my mind, 1) whether your face can take it, and 2) if you're comfortable enough to perform and your equipment will do so.

There are some moves I just won't try because I just don't have a steady hand and trust in myself and razor. Plus, I can always touch up with a safety razor if need be.

So, do what you gotta do to achieve your desired level of "smoothness." There's no right or wrong in this regard as far as I'm concerned.

Originally Posted by jseitz76

This is somewhat subjective as the numerous replies above indicate. How do you define "smooth enough"? I get as smooth, if not a "smoother," shave by going only with the grain as I do using a Mach 5 (or 6, 7, 10 or whatever # of blades). But, I can still feel stubble if I move my hand in certain directions across my face. Obviously, to alleviate that, I would have to move a blade in that direction.

Whether you go across the grain, or against the grain, depends upon some factors, mainly in my mind, 1) whether your face can take it, and 2) if you're comfortable enough to perform and your equipment will do so.

There are some moves I just won't try because I just don't have a steady hand and trust in myself and razor. Plus, I can always touch up with a safety razor if need be.

So, do what you gotta do to achieve your desired level of "smoothness." There's no right or wrong in this regard as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, the sections of my face where I go WTG in my Natural Method are just as smooth as the sections where I go ATG.

I must have a very, very course beard. I don't dare shave ATG. When I first starting shaving with a str8, I did a WTG pass then tried an ATG pass. NOT! It's not going to happen on my face. My razor will actually stop dead in it's tracks the second it hits any ATG areas and it doesn't matter what blade angle I try. The funny thing is, I get a great shave with just a WTG pass. The only area I do an XTG is on my ckeeks & jaw line starting under my ear going toward my adams apple. I have no trouble what so ever XTG. I only took me the first couple of tries at ATG to learn the razor just won't go.

I rarely shave ATG. I shave first pass downwards and then shave roughly XTG on my chin and jawline to clean things up.

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

I must have a very, very course beard. I don't dare shave ATG. When I first starting shaving with a str8, I did a WTG pass then tried an ATG pass. NOT! It's not going to happen on my face. My razor will actually stop dead in it's tracks the second it hits any ATG areas and it doesn't matter what blade angle I try. The funny thing is, I get a great shave with just a WTG pass. The only area I do an XTG is on my ckeeks & jaw line starting under my ear going toward my adams apple. I have no trouble what so ever XTG. I only took me the first couple of tries at ATG to learn the razor just won't go.

Honestly, after a couple tries, I don't think any new SR user can come to the conclusion that going ATG is not going to happen. Everything straight razor shaving related has to do with technique, and there is always a way to do it.

For a while, ATG was very uncomfortable for me, but being the stubborn mule that I am, I continued to try it and now (very, very course beard and all), I get excellent shaves 9 out of 10 times. I'm looking forward to mastering it still, after almost a year later, so that I can get it 10 out of 10 times.

If you're happy with your shaves, then more power to you. But BBS is my objective, and if I feel anything when rubbing my face in any direction, I could have done a better job, in my mind. I can't get it any other way than ATG.

YMMV.

Enjoy!

Great thread, I go WTG and ATG on my neck. I have the blade at a very low angle to make smooth passes. I found if I don't go ATG on my neck I have wicked stubble in that area. It bugs me all day if my neck has stubble. I have no ATG shaving issues.

Ladies and gentlemen:

I have been a three-pass shaver since I started with the straight razor a while back. My standard pattern is WTG, XTG and ATG, plus some water buffing at the end.

In recent times, however, I have abandoned ATG on the cheeks and have tried to compensate for it with slightly different angling during the XTG. The neck still requires all three passes, although I am working to eliminate ATG in that area, too.

Regards,

Obie