Thread: Shaving against the grain

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

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

Regards,

Howard

What he said.

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.

In a deep pit but the time will come when you realize exactally what you need,and what you do not need to get the perfect shave have fun, enjoy the ride.

I've been doing two passes for a few months now.

Initially I did only WTG, and probably openly and aggressively 'dissed' ATG when gathered around the BBQ and the campfire and the breakfast smorgasbord, esp when all liquored up.

However, now I'd be so bold to state, in a public space, that the ability of the blade (and you) to go nicely and lovely against the grain is a true test of the edge and you. A razor that's not really sharp will always 'stall' going ATG.

A razor that is truly sharp will travel as smoothly and uninterruptedly with the grain as it does so against.

Just today, in fact, I went only with the grain.

This afternoon, at roughly 16:47 Indian Kilo time, with dark clouds gathering in the air, but with air that is warm for this early in spring on this day which was cool and changeable, and whilst driving from the labour farm, and whilst marvelling at the Black Shouldered Kite hovering and looking for its dinner, and while listening to politicians dribble over the radio waves about shipping refuges off-shore and locking up kids, I contemplatively brought enquiring sensitive fingertips to face...

The difference of a WTG only and a WTG with a ATG was apparent.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

...I'd be so bold to state, in a public space, that the ability of the blade (and you) to go nicely and lovely against the grain is a true test of the edge and you. A razor that's not really sharp will always 'stall' going ATG...

I really have to +1 this. I used to have problems with against the grain, and I thought it was because I have very coarse facial hair. But that wasn't really the problem, the problem was that my razors weren't sharp enough.

Using razors that are truly shave-ready is tantamount to a good shave!

Sometimes, I actually increase my angle for my final pass ATG and find that I can get closer than a DE! The only hard part is around the chin, there I always lower my angle a bit!

Always shave with a sharp freshly stropped razor!

Originally Posted by Yochatman

I really have to +1 this. I used to have problems with against the grain, and I thought it was because I have very coarse facial hair. But that wasn't really the problem, the problem was that my razors weren't sharp enough.

Using razors that are truly shave-ready is tantamount to a good shave!

Sometimes, I actually increase my angle for my final pass ATG and find that I can get closer than a DE! The only hard part is around the chin, there I always lower my angle a bit!

Always shave with a sharp freshly stropped razor!

I also have better shaves with a steep angle atg. With a couple of my razors I go about 45 wtg/xtg & 30-40 atg. The edge has to be perfect to do that, and absolutely no pressure, but it gives me the closest shave with the least irritation. Only difference is I don't flatten it out any on my chin, it just gets shorter strokes & more care than the cheeks & jaw.