Thread: Shaving against the grain

I've only been straight razor shaving for 8 months and just recently started going against the grain. I tried it after 3 or 4 months and cut the you know what out of myself, so I didn't try it again until recently. I guess I just wasn't ready the first time because now I can do it and I never cut myself. So my advice is just be patient and practice stretching your skin. After 8 months I'm not even close to knowing how to stretch my skin, I've watched videos and have read everything that I have found and what I finally figured out is that everyone's beard and technique is different. So you just have to be patient. Also for going against the grain be sure to adjust the way you hold the razor to something that is comfortable.

This may seem obvious but the reason a person gets cut is because they run the edge of the blade in a right angle to the skin, that is, either pushing or pulling the blade left or right instead of up or down.

Make an effort to keep the shoulder of the blade as close to the skin as possible and understand that any movement needs to be done with the blade traveling forward, not sideways.

You may have developed a flinch.

I do not know if it will help- but I use two grips on the blade. For the neck line to the jawline I reverse the scales and hold the blade like the first pic. From the chin to the line on the cheek where the angle becomes unnatural I hold it as in pic 2 sort of on its side. I would suggest skipping the sideburns for the first while as you have to shave half blind, by feel and with your earlobe and hairline to be concerned about. I revert to grip #1 for sideburns and even after thousands of shaves I still shave my left sideburn with the right hand as I am REALLY not left handed and do not idolize Van Gogh (I wish to keep both ears intact.) The grips allow the blade to be held securely with control but still have some give because it is held loosely. Oh, stretch the skin and as mentioned above- do not move the blade sideways. If there is an area that you nick yourself regular just skip that part until you are comfortable with the rest of the face.

Overall, use whatever grip is most comfortable and natural for you. As always, there is more than one way to skin a face- this is just my preferred grip for doing so...
Best of luck!

Regarding a scything stroke - this is where the heel end of the blade travels less than the toe end. When used properly it's a more effective and cleaner cut than a straightforward direct line cut. If you practice with a butter knife you will soon get the action right. Just limit yourself when using an actual razor for the WTG strokes initially and when you are accomplished at that, move on to XTG and ATG - you will find that it makes for a much more comfortable ATG pass.

As advised by others though, make sure you get the basics right before moving on. I'm about a year in and find that one WTG and one XTG/ATG pass gives a great result. Just to explain the combined XTG/ATG - some areas such as jaw line up to sideburns are OK for an ATG whereas other areas I limit to XTG - it's a question of getting to know you face

There are some that need the bbs, which seems to be the main reason for atg passes.
For me the scythe (angular strokes imo) works just fine. The main purpose in shaving for me is to get rid of the barbe and maintain a decent face.

Originally Posted by RARamirez

My girlfriend bought me a dovo 5/8 for my 21st birthday back in April of this year(2012) I've gotten with the grain down pretty well but across and against are a little hard for my hand to figure out. I tend to ccut myself pretty bad going against. Are there any hand positions anyone can recommend? I've tried everything I can think of including using left hand on right side of face and vice versa

I've been shaving for a year and I've only have went ATG one time after I got the experience under my belt but. I usually do a complete shave if I'm taking the wife out

Originally Posted by johna2231

Good advice, all!

I lay the razor dang near flat for my against the grain pass. Stretch the skin a lot. Make sure your lather's nice and wet. Don't rush it, it will come in time. Razor's gotta be good and sharp too -- especially important the the "against pass". Learnin's half the fun.
John

Another +1 with john. I was going to pretty much suggest the same, but "right on"!!

Regards,

Howard

As said, getting to know your face is the key,how do's your beard grow? in what directions? as you progress along this path, you will realize how you move your facial muscles,actually at certain points on your face you pull the blade into the stroke using those muscles.
It all takes time,before you know it, it becomes something you never even think about.
At times when you are maybe 6 mos in,you will get a perfect, bloodless BBS shave, you may ponder why (you did because you have learned).
The day will come when the mechanics of the shave become boring,you have become adept at the art.
At that point you are really in deep Chit my friend,because your mind starts thinking about hones,Strops,Diamond sprays,CBN, the latest and the greatest stuff you must have,At that point you are screwed have a nice day

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

As said, getting to know your face is the key,how do's your beard grow? in what directions? as you progress along this path, you will realize how you move your facial muscles,actually at certain points on your face you pull the blade into the stroke using those muscles.
It all takes time,before you know it, it becomes something you never even think about.
At times when you are maybe 6 mos in,you will get a perfect, bloodless BBS shave, you may ponder why (you did because you have learned).
The day will come when the mechanics of the shave become boring,you have become adept at the art.
At that point you are really in deep Chit my friend,because your mind starts thinking about hones,Strops,Diamond sprays,CBN, the latest and the greatest stuff you must have,At that point you are screwed have a nice day

Great, I've only just started shaving with a straight two or three weeks ago and I am already thinking of new hones, strops, diamond sprays, CBN (?), and the latest and greatest stuff I must have. Where does that leave me in six months lol.

Originally Posted by Scookum

Great, I've only just started shaving with a straight two or three weeks ago and I am already thinking of new hones, strops, diamond sprays, CBN (?), and the latest and greatest stuff I must have. Where does that leave me in six months lol.

Well, based on personal experience, unless your more disciplined than most of us, "BROKE"! But, what fun!!!

Regards,

Howard