Thread: Does anyone not shave against the grain?

Everything you read about shaving tells you not to shave against the grain....but everyone does it seemingly (maybe im wrong??). Does anyone get a smooth enough shave by shaving with the grain only?

I was told by a barber not to shave ATG, and I've found that I can't do it at all or I end up with really bad razor burn and irritation.

I try to do as much of my shave XTG as possible, as I find I get the same results with none of the irritation! Just a WTG pass is not usually good enough for me, and I find that the XTG is necessary to get the best results.

Some people can shave ATG. Their skin can take it and their beard responds well to that direction. Others of us cannot, and its really about finding the solution that works for you.

It depends on what I'm going for. If i want that "elusive" BBS, i have to do ATG.

If I dont do ATG, I still get a fine shave though.

I had developed a rash on my cheeks from shaving ATG so now I only do WTG. I never got a completely BBS shave anyway and I'm content with the shave I'm getting.

I do still go ATG on my chin about half the time since it does not seem to irritate the skin there.

Zacsdaddy

Unfortunately, too many ingrown hairs due to my awful combination of dry/sensitive skin and ultra-curly hair, means I can't ever shave ATG. Sometimes shaving "normally", WTG can be bad enough so I have to shave three times a week to have fewer issues.

If my prep is really good and I'm using a very good razor (currently Le Grelot 6/8 quarter wedge does it), I can get away with a very smooth WTG shave.

Originally Posted by Yahoochiewatchie

Everything you read about shaving tells you not to shave against the grain....but everyone does it seemingly (maybe im wrong??). Does anyone get a smooth enough shave by shaving with the grain only?

I do, for the most part...Just two passes-WTG and XTG. However, I have used Lynn's shaving demo on his dvd to begin experimenting recently with ATG shaving of my neck. No irritation--although I have difficulty gripping my str8 razor correctly with my left hand to shave the right side of my neck.

I don't shave against the grain except if i am testing razor's i have to make sure razor is shave ready. that is the only time.
i get great shave with wtg,xtg.

I shave against the ATG every day and suffer no ill effects, but then I've got a light beard and a fairly resilient skin, so maybe I'm the odd man out here. I have noticed that a small quantity of moisturizer (in my case plain olive oil) applied at the beginning of my shave adds greatly to its comfort.
If you're having minor irritation when going ATG, you might try that.

best Regards

goshawk

You can get an excellent ATG shave with a low angle, a flexible grip, and very little pressure. If the razor catches, the loose grip will be a little more forgiving. Also, a scything, or toe-leading pass helps "slice" versus "chop".

Since the beginning I've been doing 3-pass shaves, and it actually buys me a day in between of not needing to shave.

I get the elusive BBS after every shave now, as a result. I wouldn't be able to get it otherwise.

If you have irritation that you can live through, IMO your ATG shaving will get better with practice. I fought it off for a while and now I'm paying dividends with great shaves on a regular basis.

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Yahoochiewatchie

Everything you read about shaving tells you not to shave against the grain....but everyone does it seemingly (maybe im wrong??). Does anyone get a smooth enough shave by shaving with the grain only?

My shave routine goes like this..... WTG -> ATG -> XTG. I then repeat the same process again for my chin area; the chin gets, WTG -> ATG -> XTG -> WTG -> ATG -> XTG.

I have, when I have to rush, shave only WTG, but only to save time and 9 times out of 10, I start shaving WTG then figure to just go though my whole routine anyway. I find shaving relaxing!