ATG: Balancing Pressure & Force

Awesome replies, everyone - I can't wait to implement all of these tips bright and early tomorrow.

OCDshaver, your comments were especially helpful because my left cheek has a similar growth pattern to the one you described. So, I'll be sure to give that a whirl tomorrow. My right, however, grows laterally from my chin to my cheek bone. Although I nick myself doing ATG on both cheeks, it's actually the right cheek that gives me the most trouble.

The way I tackle this is to open the razor 180 degrees (almost holding it the same way I would hold the razor when stropping) and shave from my ear to my chin. Very difficult to hold that way - probably a pretty fast way to get my own entry in the cut of the day thread too. Anyone out there have the same growth pattern and a suggestion for another grip?

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Originally Posted by AspiringPolymath

Awesome replies, everyone - I can't wait to implement all of these tips bright and early tomorrow.

OCDshaver, your comments were especially helpful because my left cheek has a similar growth pattern to the one you described. So, I'll be sure to give that a whirl tomorrow. My right, however, grows laterally from my chin to my cheek bone. Although I nick myself doing ATG on both cheeks, it's actually the right cheek that gives me the most trouble.

The way I tackle this is to open the razor 180 degrees (almost holding it the same way I would hold the razor when stropping) and shave from my ear to my chin. Very difficult to hold that way - probably a pretty fast way to get my own entry in the cut of the day thread too. Anyone out there have the same growth pattern and a suggestion for another grip?

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The grip sounds good. I use it myself. Just try to employ some of those other items and it may improve the results. There are things that others will teach you, and there are things ou will teach yourself. Later YOU will teach someone else.

Hi AP,

Everything I thought to recommend was already said in other posts. maddafinga, JimmyHad, OCD, tiddle, Gary Haywood, and Ryan. Light touch, good stretching, flat as possible plane of the razor, and sharpness. One other thing that might help. You're opening your razor 180 deg. Try opening it 270 deg.. The handle will be at approximately 90 deg to the edge of the razor. Just reversed from what you should have it WTG, which is about 90 deg to the spine Adjust slightly to clear the chin, etc. Good lather also. You'll get it, it just takes some practice. Good Luck!! :)

Regards,
Howard

I truly believe that Mentor-mentee relationships are among the most revered things in existence. For that reason, I am eager to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to assume the role of a mentor. Until now I've always had a mentor (mainly in the academic setting, but I enjoy having a mentor in all aspects of my life), so it's weird to think of teaching anyone anything at this point. I guess we all grow into that role eventually, though...

There is always someone with less knowledge/experience than yourself to be a mentor to. To think that you have to attain a certain level to become one is wrong. With the great and continuing expansion of knowledge the term Polymath has become obsolete. To become an expert in one sliver of knowledge will consume your whole life.

How astute, 32t. While I agree there exists no objective epistemological threshold necessary to assuming the role of a mentor, I feel I lack the requisite experiential knowledge to take a mentee. Alas! the obsolescence of the polymath is one of my greatest sources of anguish; I dislike specialization.

In fact, the ubiquitous specialization we see in the world has made it near impossible for me to decide what I want to do for a career. I just find myself wanting to learn everything! Classics, languages (both dead and modern), natural philosophy, medicine, technical/physical crafts, etc.

What's a young man to do!

As much as you can and enjoy the ride bro! I wanted a straight razor since I was in my early 20's, but college put that on the back burner. I'm 30 now, and didn't buy my first one til' right after my 29th birthday (present to me :) ) I think we all mentor each other here; I had a camping and outdoor recreation class as an elective, and the guy teaching said something that always stuck w/ me, "If you say you're a master, then you know everything there is and can be to know about that particular thing, there is nothing more for you to learn...that's BS there's always something to learn, there's no such thing as a master, you just know more than the other guy, but sometimes that other guy might just teach you something someday....so, does that make him the master now?"

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Originally Posted by AspiringPolymath

In fact, the ubiquitous specialization we see in the world has made it near impossible for me to decide what I want to do for a career. I just find myself wanting to learn everything! Classics, languages (both dead and modern), natural philosophy, medicine, technical/physical crafts, etc.

What's a young man to do!

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I think that your career should support you and your lifestyle rather than define it.

Wise words tiddle and 32t. I know I'll never the be a master of any one thing in particular (because I know I'll never put in the time for one subject) but that's fine by me because I simply aspire to know enough of each to consider myself educated.

As for not letting my career dictate my life, well, that's why I left NYC and quit finance :D demanded too much of me and left me with no personal time. I acknowledge its great for some, it was too much for me - and I'm glad because I didn't get a straight until I came back to Arkansas. Either way, at 23 I'm looking forward to a LOT more learning, hence my experiments with brush handle making!

The WTG pass can be accomplished with any blade. The ATG pass will tell you how sharp your blade is.