Thread: XTG vs. ATG

So my motto for this whole learning how to use a straight razor business, which has been incredible, has been why not? If I feel comfortable doing it, why not? If I know it's something I'll need to learn eventually, why not learn it now? It has proven to be quite the effective motivator and I made my first ATG pass today and have a BBS shave on most the face. Missed a few spots due to growth patterns here and there but it will come with time right?

Anyways back to the real post... Even though I have a motto of why not? I cannot, for the life of me, figure out the XTG stroke! For some reason I just can't get the angle right and just end up basically going WTG again for the second pass. So I just skipped XTG and went straight to ATG. I just couldn't get comfortable with the razor in any way trying different grips, left hand on right side of face, right hand on left. So really my question is... Is it necessary to due the pattern WTG, XTG, ATG to get the best shave possible or is it just the same doing only WTG and ATG? What do you gents do? A full 3 pass shave or a variation of it? Just curious is all...

the short answer is YMMV

The slightly longer answer is:
It depends on your face. If I tried to go against the grain without going across the grain my face would be six types of messed up. others on this sight swear by it.

The really long answer:
one thing that it took me a little while to learn is that WTG XTG ATG is a template for the basic idea of progressive shaving. on your average joe it is going to yield satisfactory results. The problem is like with my face. I have this annoying thing called beard swirl. so I use kind of a hybrid pass on my atg especially. Everyone's face is a little different which is why SR shaving is great because you can tailor it to your face.

Having said all that, I wouldn't yet give up on across the grain. And here's how I do it by the way. I have the razor tip up in my same side hand and do what I think of as a mini meau de compte (Ie I lay the spine of the blade against my ear and the blade at the beginning of my whiskers and then roll it out until I have enough space to resume shaving normally. I do a pinch grip on the razor for most of the time I am going atg.

For most of my neck atg I actually go partially with the grain and just make sure I have a good scything technique because my neck is so textured if I tried to go straight ATG I would be leaving bits of my neck in the floor.

I hope this helps.

Perfect an XTG scything stroke as your second pass,no ATG pass needed for a BBS shave with a properly honed razor.
Shaving to me is a chore,I want to be done in 5 mins max,with zero blood loss

I only do two passes, WTG and then ATG. That's all I need, and it works fine.

With time and practice it is entirely possible to get a great shave going WTG and XTG. Sometimes two XTG passes are needed, in opposite directions, which is a lot easier on the skin. The key is a sharp razor and good technique, namely the scything stroke.

That being said there's an area on my neck (adam's apple to under my chin) where my whiskers grow almost completely flat, and ATG is the only way to get it smooth. All other areas are WTG and XTG only.

I like to go ATG on the second pass. I like the extra closeness it affords. My first pass is WTG, combined with a little XTG in problem-prone areas. I usually go wtg on a 3rd pass, lightly and concentrate on up close trimming there. Nice to hear a silent 3rd pass as well! My beard is pretty tough so, as has been said, YMMV!

Originally Posted by ace

I only do two passes, WTG and then ATG. That's all I need, and it works fine.

+1 with what ace said, normally. Today, just for kicks, I tried something the 1906 book, that introduced me to cold water shaving recommended. He says never do ATG. If you do, he says, you risk irritation. According to him if you need to do more than one pass, do both WTG. He says, in so may words, even if the result isn't BBS it will be more than acceptable. It came out very well. I may try it again tomorrow.

I do have a few spots where XTG of sorts is necessary for a real BBS. I've also found true XTG to be awkward and I suppose what I'm doing, when I call it XTG, is a modified form of it. That said, all of my passes are not "true" WTG, ATG, or whatever. I do a down pass and an up pass, call them WTG and ATG but the whiskers are, like my friend who also likes guns & Bibles, not always pointing in the requisite direction. So I do the best I can with what I got.