Can I get as close a shave with the grain as I do against the grain?

I used to use the Gillette Fusion Power razor and with that I shaved against the grain. My face felt smooth in all directions but the razor irritated my skin. Now I use a straight razor, and I only shave with the grain. I tried shaving against the grain with the straight razor, but I am not that good and it doesn't turn out well for my face. When I shave with the grain with the straight razor, it looks smooth and it feels smooth except when I bring my hand up, that's when I still feel the hair. My question is "Can I get as close and smooth a shave just shaving with the grain as I do shaving against the grain?"

Thanks!

No, you can't.

But the WTG is plenty fine until your skill improves such that you can shave ATG with the straight.

luvmysuper said:

No, you can't.

But the WTG is plenty fine until your skill improves such that you can shave ATG with the straight.

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+1 I don't think there's anything else to add to that.

luvmysuper said:

No, you can't.

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That's right,
but there is nobody who will notice your not 100% smooth so it doesn't matter.

I've not managed it yet. I've tried multiple passes but it never quite gets to bbs.

ShaveAddict said:

That's right,
but there is nobody who will notice your not 100% smooth so it doesn't matter.

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That's what's keeping me satisfied at the moment. It feels smooth at almost all angles and it looks smooth. One of these days I would like to get shaving against the grain down.

raccoonandbrush said:

That's what's keeping me satisfied at the moment. It feels smooth at almost all angles and it looks smooth. One of these days I would like to get shaving against the grain down.

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Many of us are still working on perfecting that!

I am a short timer here but no...I don't think so. The point must be made that everyone's face is different. I have places that when I shave from ear to chin I am going ATG. If ATG is going to work for you at all you are going to have to have great technique, a sharp razor, and skin that will allow you to do it. Part of good technique is being able to do multiple passes and not so much as cut a pimple. It is amazing to me but not till the final pass does my beard feel smooth. That may just be me.

Just enjoy the journey and give it some time. It took me about a year and a half to be able to make four passes and apply the alum block and get absolutely no burn.

Take Care,
Richard

luvmysuper said:

No, you can't.

But the WTG is plenty fine until your skill improves such that you can shave ATG with the straight.

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Or you find out that your face can't take atg (at least everyday), as is the case with my face.

Don't feel that there's only 2 directions to shave - WTG and ATG. Play around with different angles until something works for you. Personally my 'ATG' pass is really 10 or 15 degrees off a true 'ATG', but that's the balance point between shave quality and irritation.

Go West Young Man said:

but that's the balance point between shave quality and irritation.

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Bingo!

This is key and should not be overlooked when shaving!

Go West Young Man said:

Don't feel that there's only 2 directions to shave - WTG and ATG. Play around with different angles until something works for you. Personally my 'ATG' pass is really 10 or 15 degrees off a true 'ATG', but that's the balance point between shave quality and irritation.

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+1 on this - good call, Chris! Best shave without irritation is the goal.

Bobtrumpet said:

Best shave without irritation is the goal.

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+1 Truer words have rarely been spoken