Thread: How to go about with ATG?

So I have been shaving with a straight for about 4 months and it feels great. I will never go back to disposables again.
I have no problem with WTG and XTG but ATG is really uncomfortably. It tugs and skips across my skin and it feels almost dangerous to shave.

Is it all down to technique or do the razor have to be even sharper then what you need for a smooth WTG shave?

I don't think the razor has to be sharper, but ATG requires more of it in that you are going against the grain. On WTG passes, if the edge is not quite there, it will harmlessly skip over the whisker. On an ATG pass, the angle of the whisker against the direction of the blade will stop it from moving forward. Your angle should be less than you use WTG and XTG, but the blade does have to be sharp.

It is harder to do an ATG pass than the others.
It requires much more focus on angles, and your razor needs proper sharpness. More so than on the other strokes, IMO.
One tip would be to look into more advanced strokes.
Scything or the Guilliotine-stroke helps me get the job done more easily.
If you do try it out, please be careful.
This stroke is what makes people bleed in this sport If done incorrectly that is!

I agree with ace and birnando, mostly. Yes, the razor does need to be sharp;
yes, the angle needs to be somewhat "shallower" for ATG. But, no I would
not attempt a scything or guillotine stroke, especially on your neck, without
first mastering the move on a WTG or XTG pass.

You might also try a couple of other things. I recommend them because they
worked for me: before attempting an ATG pass, especially with an "advanced"
stroke, give your face some extra lather and let it "work" for an extra couple
of minutes; during that period, strop your razor carefully. When you make the
ATG pass, use multiple short, very light strokes...and concentrate!

After all that, if the razor still stalls or skips, give it up for now and try again
another day. There's no need to risk cutting yourself by stubbornly persisting.
Its not worth it...chalk it up to "training" and don't abuse yourself.

Paul

Hmm, mayby I should try stropping it before going ATG.

Make sure your razor is sharp, and check out these advanced shaving techniques for some help.

Originally Posted by PMH

Hmm, mayby I should try stropping it before going ATG.

If you're not stropping before every shave... then I would suggest you not go ATG.

Some of you may have seen these, forgive me if you have:

Traditional Japanese Barber Work (long, forward to the good bits)



The Waldorf - man I wish we had one of these guys around here... (I love the big band music)



These razors are sharp... very, very sharp. When a guy that's shaving you rubs his hands over your face and decides it's BBS... you can pretty much be assured it's BBS...

Note: Liam stropped that razor on what I would consider to be a 'loose' strop... with a really bad attack... but, I don't work at the Waldorf. Amazing!

Originally Posted by tonycraigo

If you're not stropping before every shave... then I would suggest you not go ATG.

Of course I strop it before every shave but I haven't before stropped it when going from WTG to XTG and from XTG to ATG but I will try it next time. The razor is very sharp. It gives me a very smooth shave both WTG and XTG.

I did ATG stroke with blade laying almost flat on my face and stretch my skin with fingers as close as possible to the blade.
Also, I did ATG pass just with water, no lather for me, and sometimes I add just little bit of Castle Forbes preshave.
Stropping before ATG? Yes, I did it but not on the strop rather on my palm (I feel that's more easier and quicker than hit the strop which is not in the bathroom).
Above works for me, maybe will work for you, maybe not, but beauty is in the thing that all of us find something that works for each other.

Originally Posted by PMH

Of course I strop it before every shave but I haven't before stropped it when going from WTG to XTG and from XTG to ATG but I will try it next time. The razor is very sharp. It gives me a very smooth shave both WTG and XTG.

I knew that you ment to strop it b4 a ATG pass, meaning to strop it again...I guess it's just commen sense thinking... sorry Tonycraigo little jab there :-). (but you deserved it ) Just kidden

I've been shaving with a straight for about 400 shaves now, Ace and Birnando in my experience gave very good advice. I'm far from an expert but angle is very important, I use to push harder in an ATG pass thinking that would help all it did was give some very nice Razor Burn. I started experimenting with angles and found a good angle with almost no pressure, razor burn is gone and shave is baby smooth. So try different angles it really makes a huge difference.
Good luck!!