Against the grain question.

[ShaveAddict]

Since i started shaving whit a DE i shave only WTG sometimes XTG on the cheeks but not more then that.
I get good shaves like that but nothing BBS.
This morning i decide to gave a try to one pass WTG and another XTG.
I shave my first pass WTG and all went good like usual, no blood.
After i lather up again and i start XTG, on the cheeks, side of neck everything was fine.
But in the middle neck and chin area i got irritation and i nicked myself at couple of spots, nothing very bad but i don't like to cut myself.
So i don't know if i should continue shaving against the grain on the second pass,
my neck and chin are prone to irritation and nicks .
I had the idea to go XTG only on my cheeks and and side of neck but i don't know if that is a good idea.
If you could give me some advice it would be appreciated.
Thanks

[JMan424]

What are you doing for prep?

An extra minute rubbing lather into your neck/chin with your brush before your first pass might help a ton.

I would try that and a couple drops of extra virgin olive oil before applying any lather. in addition to double-checking basic technique issues like angle and pressure.

[ShaveAddict]

What are you doing for prep?

An extra minute rubbing lather into your neck/chin with your brush before your first pass might help a ton.

I would try that and a couple drops of extra virgin olive oil before applying any lather. in addition to double-checking basic technique issues like angle and pressure.

I doubt it's a prep problem.
I shower before shave , i even re-wet my face whit warm water after the shower.
After i apply a pre shave balm(Proraso) and i lather up.
Might be that i am not use to shave XTG in those area.
The problem is mainly on my chin where the hairs grow very strong and it's kind of impossible to shave against them.

[JMan424]

I doubt it's a prep problem.
I shower before shave , i even re-wet my face whit warm water after the shower.
After i apply a pre shave balm(Proraso) and i lather up.
Might be that i am not use to shave XTG in those area.
The problem is mainly on my chin where the hairs grow very strong and it's kind of impossible to shave against them.

What you're describing is what I started out doing and I had similar problems. What I'm recommending is what fixed those problems for me. I may not be an old hand but I think you can learn from my mistake here as I'm shaving ATG with zero irritation now.

Even if you think the pre balm does the oil's job I highly recommend at least the extra minute (full 60 seconds - time it) rubbing the lather into the sensitive area with your brush before your first pass. I promise it will be worth a minute of your time, even if only to eliminate it as a possibility though I suspect you'll be surprised at how much it helps.

[alejandro]

My chin is a problem area as well. I found that using a buffing action with very little pressure helps me get DFS on my chin area.

You mention both XTG and "against the grain" in your initial post. Which is it? On my neck, most of the hair grows from left to right, so XTG for me is a normal north to south pattern or upwards shave. For BBS I have to buff from right to left towards my left ear.

Alex.

[mdunn]

if youre getting weepers atg then it sounds like you need to double check your angle/pressure for that bit.

It sometimes happens that even though you may have fantastic technique elsewhere, when you hold the razor in a different direction the technique sufferes

[Swampfox]

My neck is a tricky area, too. I have three distinct areas that I must treat three different ways. I have learned that I cannot go ATG or XTG at the bottom, only WTG and XTG in the middle, and I can do whatever at the top.

[Luc]

You might need a different direction XTG for that spot only...