Thread: Just did my first ATG shave!

Gents,
I just finished my first ATG shave. I finished my first pass then went straight to it. I guess I was too excited that a forgot the XTG pass. Oops! Well I figured it out quickly enough. After XTG pass I delicately proceeded ATG. My shave is definitely smoother but I have to say performing it is quite un-nerving in some...well most areas. I didn't do my whole face ATG but got a good bit of it.

How do you all hold your razor when performing ATG shaves? I was having a little trouble finding a comfortable way to hold it.

Here's to good shaving,
D

D, Bravo. Anyone not intimidated by the first shave or the first atg is either lying or brain dead.

Comfortable ways to hold will come, but here's a starting place:

Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The shaves get better, as will your skills. Enjoy every bit!

Welcome! It’s quite the strange feeling isn’t it! ! Anyone who says that they weren’t scared to death the first time that they held a straight razor to their throat is a liar!

I can’t help you with how to hold the razor, I’ll just tell you that after I do my usual shave (which is straight down on sideburns and neck) my next pass is from ear to nose on my right side and cheekbone to ear on the left side, then I finish with a neck to jaw to finish it all up.

What this does is give me a ‘with the grain’ on most of my first pass and ‘across the grain’ on part of the face and against the grain on part of my face on the second pass so it’s a good to go shave!

I know that it’s Blasphemy but I don’t believe in the BBS shave! I believe in a close and comfortable shave. I get these day in and day out!

Originally Posted by pinklather

D, Bravo. Anyone not intimidated by the first shave or the first atg is either lying or brain dead.

Comfortable ways to hold will come, but here's a starting place:

Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The shaves get better, as will your skills. Enjoy every bit!

Duh, I didn't even think of checking the wiki. Thanks pinklather.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

What this does is give me a ‘with the grain’ on most of my first pass and ‘across the grain’ on part of the face and against the grain on part of my face on the second pass so it’s a good to go shave!

I like it. Seems like a good idea for when you don't have time for 3+ passes.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I know that it’s Blasphemy but I don’t believe in the BBS shave!

Don't, stop, believin'!

You will find his (pinklather's) counsel always sound and well thought out!

Originally Posted by dfafs

I like it. Seems like a good idea for when you don't have time for 3+ passes.


Don't, stop, believin'!

OH BELIEVE ME I DO BELIEVE! I just believe in a close comfortable shave and don't worry or waste my time with struggling to try to get that all elusive 'BBS' shave! It's way overrated!! No one but you will ever notice that there's that minute amount of stubble left!

Im along with Roy on the getting a comfortable shave. Don't get me wrong I do achieve a bbs shave when I have a date with the misses but that's it. Other than that I just get a comfortable shave does myself and I'm happy it's hard shaving when you have a rugrat tugging at yours shorts to see what's going on so I just do what's comfortable and it works

Hi D, Something I learned from JimmyHAD is to pay attention to razor angle while shaving. Always rest the spine of the blade to your face first, and then proceed to adjust pitch and angle while you make your pass, WTG, XTG or ATG. This reduces the chance for cuts. By focusing on the spine placement, it helps take your mind off the awesome sharp edge you should have on your razor. I hope this may help
MIke