Thread: Tips On Closer Shave ATG

What are your personal tips on getting a real close shave on against the grain?

I have about 6-7 shaved under my belt now.. Still a complete novice but I am a lot more Confident with it now and getting it down quickly.

With the grain I am getting it very smooth but with against the grain I can still feel a slight stubble..
I try stretching the skin but having difficult with the placement of it all.. it feels awkward for me and kind of nervous I will cut my fingers.

So do you gentleman have any suggestions / tips?

You said it yourself. It feels awkward and you're nervous. This thing is best learned in small stages. At 6-7 shaves you should be concerned with WTG strokes and just be getting used to doing your entire face. Cross and against the grain I wouldn't attempt for a month or so of shaves. When you feel completely comfortable using the razor and have more facility with it then you know it's time for more challenging strokes.

Originally Posted by adamf85

What are your personal tips on getting a real close shave on against the grain?

I have about 6-7 shaved under my belt now.. Still a complete novice but I am a lot more Confident with it now and getting it down quickly.

With the grain I am getting it very smooth but with against the grain I can still feel a slight stubble..
I try stretching the skin but having difficult with the placement of it all.. it feels awkward for me and kind of nervous I will cut my fingers.

So do you gentleman have any suggestions / tips?

This gentleman highly recommends that you not concentrate on getting a "real close shave... against the grain." This whole thing is about progressive stubble removal, via multiple passes. In other words, given a novice wielding a shave-ready blade, it will take you 3-4 passes (of which ATG is but one) to get an acceptable shave. But even competant, veteran straight-razor shavers will agree that it takes time (read: practice) to acquire the requisite skills in beard preparation and shaving technique that will bring you to that DFS (Damn Fine Shave)... let alone, one that's BBS (Baby-Butt Smooth).

Take your time... it'll happen.

Something is wrong if you're afraid of cutting your fingers. Even if you are using them to stretch the skin, they should be behind the razor, not in front of it. But I also agree that at the 30 shave point you might feel more comfortable with shaving and the ATG pass might make more sense for you then.

I feel like a total n00b right now lol.

Originally Posted by adamf85

I feel like a total n00b right now lol.

Well, you are. And so were we at one point (I was a few months ago, and I have graduated from "total n00b", to "silly n00b". I (like you) skipped right past "stupid n00b" by asking questions and studying up

Welcome, I promise it will get much better in short order...but only after you stop trying so hard. One day you will think about it and realize all the milestones you have passed (first shave with no cuts, weepers, irritation etc). Then you start getting BBS in some areas, and eventually you will realize that you are getting better shaves than ever...and you will also realize that you faceturbate much more critically than you ever had before...and still pleased with the results.

Enjoy!

ace is right about the fingers thing, of course. You may find that pulling on the skin right at the top of the chest is an option, too. At least it is for old baggy skin. One big tip is to make sure you ARE actually going against the grain; my hair growth direction changes remarkably over my face. There are some spots on my neck I can't actually get ATG with a straight, unless I try REALLY hard, and most of the time I don't bother.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

One big tip is to make sure you ARE actually going against the grain; my hair growth direction changes remarkably over my face. There are some spots on my neck I can't actually get ATG with a straight, unless I try REALLY hard, and most of the time I don't bother.

Quoted due to perfect agreement.

I don't mean to barge in here but from what I gather from this thread it is advised for a noob not to go against the grain? How about across the grain?

When you are ready. Try it. Is it hard or uncomfortable? Start with a couple strokes then quit. Every shave take a baby step forward.

Trying to go all guns blazing will drown you in a frustrating pile of weaknesses. I try to learn ONE stroke on every shave. This way I break it down step by step and figure out EXACTLY how to do THAT stroke before I try and learn the next.

I started out full face and three passes. I spent a month trying to drink from the fire hose, and ended up drowning (happily). Now I sip occasionally and find I get great results when I focus on the baby step.

I am nearly to the point of completing the journey made by a large number of small steps. It is a deliberate journey...as it should be. I'm not sure I'd ever find my way without taking very deliberate steps.