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.

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.

it's because you ARE, and honestly, thats a beautiful thing. I've been shaving with a stright for over a year now and I still consider myself a noob.

For your own good, take your time. It only takes one mistake to severely hurt yourself and possibly make something you love now into something you'll be scared to attempt again.

Its remarkable that after 6 shaves you are feeling that confident, take advantage of that and gain wisdom as you progress. Don't rush it, no matter how confident you are.

Enjoy the process. and welcome to the brotherhood!

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.

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?