Drop the WTG=better shave

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07-21-2011, 01:34 PM
volleykinginnc

Drop the WTG=better shave

I've been staight shaving about a year now and been doing basically the same routine the entire time. Based on some posts here I thought I would drop from my usual 3 pass routine and try 2.

So I dropped the initial WTG pass and oddly enough the ease and smoothness of the first XTG pass was markedly improved and same with the ATG. The result was also noticably closer, smoother, with less redness.

I've done it 5 times now with a noticeable improvement in my shaves. I totally understand the reduction in redness but why would it be closer and smoother? At first I thought maybe I just mapped my face wrong and was actually going WTG when I thought I was going XTG but checked it again and I seem to have my directions correct.

Any ideas on why this is?
07-21-2011, 01:40 PM
commiecat

Quote:

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

I've been staight shaving about a year now and been doing basically the same routine the entire time. Based on some posts here I thought I would drop from my usual 3 pass routine and try 2.

So I dropped the initial WTG pass and oddly enough the ease and smoothness of the first XTG pass was markedly improved and same with the ATG. The result was also noticably closer, smoother, with less redness.

I've done it 5 times now with a noticeable improvement in my shaves. I totally understand the reduction in redness but why would it be closer and smoother? At first I thought maybe I just mapped my face wrong and was actually going WTG when I thought I was going XTG but checked it again and I seem to have my directions correct.

Any ideas on why this is?

I honestly can't answer that question as I've never been able to go ATG. WTG and XTG for me.

If it works for you then go with it but it should be noted that new shavers should definitely stick to WTG as their first pass. :)
07-21-2011, 02:17 PM
Mastershake

Smoother defanitely due to ATG which I can't do because my beard is like a wire wheel. Being in the military 23 years and shaving daily I can strip paint off a fender with my chin. I do find that XTG is smoother for me also so I'm half on board with you!
07-21-2011, 02:26 PM
swimlikehell

I have been doing the same thing for awhile, but on my cheeks I do ATG, ATG, XTG and have been having real goo success. I always felt the WTG pass didn't remove enough hair to be that important but ymmv.
07-21-2011, 02:52 PM
ReardenSteel

That's the great thing about this hobby, discovering what works for you to get a comfortable shave. After reading your post, I think I will give your method a try just to see. My routine for the last couple of years has been WTG, 2 XTG passes (ear to mouth then mouth to ear) and WTG and ATG on my neck. Guess there is more learning to be had and experienced.
07-21-2011, 05:22 PM
holli4pirating

Maybe three passes was too much for your skin, as opposed to the WTG directional aspect being the problem.
07-21-2011, 06:39 PM
WBK

I do the same, XTG then ATG. I found the WTG pass unecessary over time as I got my technique down on the XTG and ATG passes. I did not feel any difference with my skin... feels great regardless if it is 2 or 3 pass, just a time saver for me. If I get any tugging when doing my XTG pass, I know it is time for a touchup on the hone.
07-21-2011, 07:54 PM
tboyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by commiecat

I honestly can't answer that question as I've never been able to go ATG. WTG and XTG for me.

If it works for you then go with it but it should be noted that new shavers should definitely stick to WTG as their first pass. :)

That's why this forum is such an important resource, everyones face,
and beard is different, I don't find going ATG comfortable.
07-22-2011, 03:43 AM
Ryan82

It probably depends on how often you shave. If you shave daily your stubble is short enough that you can likely start off XTG with good results, and go from there. But if you shave every other day, or more (like me), your skin will benefit from an initial WTG pass to reduce the stubble for subsequent passes. It's also easier on your blade. For me, WTG will not be going away any time soon.
07-22-2011, 03:52 AM
THG

I also find that starting with XTG leaves me with a better shave.
07-22-2011, 05:28 AM
onimaru55

Quote:

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

I've been staight shaving about a year now and been doing basically the same routine the entire time. Based on some posts here I thought I would drop from my usual 3 pass routine and try 2.

So I dropped the initial WTG pass and oddly enough the ease and smoothness of the first XTG pass was markedly improved and same with the ATG. The result was also noticably closer, smoother, with less redness.

I've done it 5 times now with a noticeable improvement in my shaves. I totally understand the reduction in redness but why would it be closer and smoother? At first I thought maybe I just mapped my face wrong and was actually going WTG when I thought I was going XTG but checked it again and I seem to have my directions correct.

Any ideas on why this is?

I wonder if the edge is degrading by the 3rd pass so with 2 passes you have a better edge for ATG, giving you a closer more comfortable shave.
Try it 2 days in a row without stropping & see if your results are the same.
07-22-2011, 11:20 AM
MWS

I've noticed this recently myself. When I tried my GEM razor for the first time I felt the stiffer blade did a fantastic job slicing through a first pass XTG, much better than my other DE's. I've now been doing the same with my straights...
07-22-2011, 09:36 PM
Oldspice

When I shave every day as opposed to every few days I find coming out the gate with ATG followed by touch ups allows me a closer shave in less time with less risk of irritation because of the fewer passes needed. I find the WTG pass to be worth it if I haven't shave in a bit though.
07-23-2011, 03:05 AM
Alembic

Quote:

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Maybe three passes was too much for your skin, as opposed to the WTG directional aspect being the problem.

I'm with you on the reasoning. Three passes was too much for my skin and I dropped the WTG (really a North to South pass). The result was that my skin could tolerate the two passes that really gave me a close shave better and it significantly improved the shave quality and shave experience.
07-23-2011, 04:47 AM
CaliforniaCajun

I tried this once and there was a lot more pulling and tugging. I may try this again based on the comments I'm reading here.

What chaps my face are the problem areas, like the neck and chin. I keep trying to get them shaved, and that is when the pulling and tugging sets in. Those areas are overworked. In my case, I think it is the fact that I'm not yet nimble enough with my razor to put it where it needs to be to cut the problem areas rather than inadequate sharpness of the blade. I think I can hone pretty well.
07-26-2011, 12:55 PM
CaliforniaCajun

Quote:

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

I've been staight shaving about a year now and been doing basically the same routine the entire time. Based on some posts here I thought I would drop from my usual 3 pass routine and try 2.

So I dropped the initial WTG pass and oddly enough the ease and smoothness of the first XTG pass was markedly improved and same with the ATG. The result was also noticably closer, smoother, with less redness.

I've done it 5 times now with a noticeable improvement in my shaves. I totally understand the reduction in redness but why would it be closer and smoother? At first I thought maybe I just mapped my face wrong and was actually going WTG when I thought I was going XTG but checked it again and I seem to have my directions correct.

Any ideas on why this is?

I wanted to find this post first thing this morning and report that I tried dropping the WTG today and did experience improvement as you described.
07-26-2011, 01:23 PM
fyrfyter43

I've tried dropping my WTG pass a couple of times. Every time I've tried it, I swore I wouldn't do it again.

I normally do 2 passes - WTG (actually N-S) followed by ATG (actually S-N). This gives me a great shave every time without any irritation. I tried dropping the WTG pass again a few days ago after reading this thread, and the result was a lousy shave that left my face feeling like I had tried to shave with a cheese grater.

I'm glad a lot of you can get away with it. Maybe if I was doing an XTG pass I could do it, but that would put me right back where I am now (a 2-pass shave) which I doubt would be any better than my current routine.
07-26-2011, 01:58 PM
volleykinginnc

Quote:

Originally Posted by fyrfyter43

I've tried dropping my WTG pass a couple of times. Every time I've tried it, I swore I wouldn't do it again.

I normally do 2 passes - WTG (actually N-S) followed by ATG (actually S-N). This gives me a great shave every time without any irritation. I tried dropping the WTG pass again a few days ago after reading this thread, and the result was a lousy shave that left my face feeling like I had tried to shave with a cheese grater.

I'm glad a lot of you can get away with it. Maybe if I was doing an XTG pass I could do it, but that would put me right back where I am now (a 2-pass shave) which I doubt would be any better than my current routine.

two days ago I tried to do a 2 pass.....WTG then ATG and it wasn't very close or very smooth. I think I'll stick with my new found WTG and ATG and see how it works long term.
07-28-2011, 06:19 AM
Snuff

I never thought about leaving the WTG out but I used a XTG in both directions and a ATG today and I got a good shave, there are indeed many roads that lead to Rome.