Thread: ATG Necessity?

Is the ATG stroke absolutely necessary? I seem to get what I classify as a really nice shave without it. The few times I went against the grain it tore me up and i had wicked burn for three or four days. Just curious on everyone's thoughts.
Kurt

Definitely not. Many of us cannot go ATG without discomfort; I use a WTG and XTG stroke and when I want extra smooth I'll shave a second XTG going the opposite direction.

Your goal should always be comfort first and closeness second.

I've been doing two passes WTG but only one XTG. I never thought of doing a second XTG. Going to have to try that. Thanks.

No, it is not.
A shave consisting of a WTG and a XTG will for most of us yield a very smooth shave.
Many settles for just a WTG, and are quite happy with that.

A ATG is nice, sort of the icing on the cake, but needed, no not for the majority of us

Thanks guys. I got the impression that it was unnecessary but thought it was one of those strokes you 'had' to do.

You have answered your own question, you get a really nice shave without it.

Its your face do what ever you like and are comfortable with. If you take your time and you are confident with your angles and your face can handle 3 passes you will get an even closer shave. From the looks of it and what alot of people do and say wtg and xtg is more then enough or even just wtg. Stick with what you like and perfect it once your confident in your lather/technique etc try to get slowly into atg if you want. It seems to be all about personal preference and what you like and are comfortable with.Gluck Ty

Yea it certainly seems as though I answered my own question. Being new to this it helps to have other input.

I unfortunately cant go XTG so ATG is my only option. It can be brutal if your razor isnt up to snuff and your technique isnt the best. If I didnt need to use it, I probably wouldnt!! lol

Big thing is take your time if it doesn't feel right don't do it.