Difficulty with against the grain pass

[MC91]

Evening Gents.

Been into DE shaving for about 2 months now, and still can't find a way to get a comfortable ATG pass. Even with a feather blade, i just can't get through the hairs. I always end up with cuts and irritation straight after my third pass. Any suggestions anyone? or should i just cut out the ATG pass.

Using an Edwin Jagger DE89(L) with a Feather blade if it matters.

[Greyfox]

It takes a bit of practice to get your technique sound. Remember to make mutiple NO PRESSURE passes to reduce the beard each pass. Don't think of beard removal. Watch the Mantic videos again. Good luck.

[Optometrist]

Is your ATG pass in a S/N direction? For what it's worth, mine is. When I started out, (with that perfect combination I might add!), I had no trouble letting the weight of the razor do it's job in the WTG(N/S) pass, however, you have to use alot more judgement in holding the razor against the skin in the reverse. It is all to easy to exert more pressure this way.

[djh]

It might be an idea to leave the ATG pass out for the moment and let your skills develop for a little while. Maybe you could shave XTG in the opposite direction to get a bit closer (hopefully without irritation) and then try the Against The Grain pass after another couple of months.

[ackvil]

It might be an idea to leave the ATG pass out for the moment and let your skills develop for a little while. Maybe you could shave XTG in the opposite direction to get a bit closer (hopefully without irritation) and then try the Against The Grain pass after another couple of months.

+1. David is right.

[MC91]

Thanks for the replies. So it appears it's a technique thing and something that will come with time. I would have thought with a DE and generally the sharpest blade it would cut through with little problem. i see everyone else doing it so effortlessly!

[qballs]

I was evaluating my last shave yesterday - decided to let the face rest today.
ATG I know that I had too much pressure - lots of stinging with the alum block after!!

[Freemojo]

Thanks for the replies. So it appears it's a technique thing and something that will come with time. I would have thought with a DE and generally the sharpest blade it would cut through with little problem. i see everyone else doing it so effortlessly!

Ive also heard some folks who's skin is a bit to sensitive for the ATG shave, no matter the technique.

Ive been dedicated DE shaving for a short while now (two months maybe) and Ill echo that time and practice makes for a nice shave. And a bit of styptic pencil use in the beginning . . .

[akira7799]

Concentrate on blade angle and pressure. Make sure you're using the right angle ATG. If you're off, you're gonna feel it. No pressure with the lack of pressure and you should be good to go.

I thought my blade angle was "spot on perfect" until I started shaving with a Gillette NEW long comb. My angle was too deep (as displayed by the comb marks in my lather). Try using an open comb or using shallower passes and see if it works.

HIH,
Dave

[kf4tqj]

You didn't mention what sort of a preparation you're using? Hot towel or something? Some people find shaving after a shower is the best. My son shaves in the shower with a round mirror made with a hook. In any event, anything is better than nothing. You have to get it hydrated first.
All The Best,
Woody

[Eric V]

Prep is half the shave! Technic is most of the rest.

Looks like you have plenty of good advice above. Closer shaves will come as your prep and technic mature over time..

[MC91]

Prep wise it's just hot towels and water. I've tried a couple of products/methods and they didn't make much difference to my shave, so i kept it simple. I would imagine my beard would be as prepped as it's gonna get by the time of the 3rd pass. Especially after lather, shave, rinse, lather, shave, rinse and lathering again!

I'd assumed my technique's not far off being spot on, as the rest of my shave goes without incident. I'll leave it a couple of days and go back to the drawing board.

Once again thanks for the replies, this place is great when you're in need of solace!

[Luc]

Keep in mind that not everyone can shave ATG. Just do WTG and XTG for now. Try ATG again in a few weeks.

[Greglam]

Evening Gents.

Been into DE shaving for about 2 months now, and still can't find a way to get a comfortable ATG pass. Even with a feather blade, i just can't get through the hairs. I always end up with cuts and irritation straight after my third pass. Any suggestions anyone? or should i just cut out the ATG pass.

Using an Edwin Jagger DE89(L) with a Feather blade if it matters.

What are your first three passes? Do you shave everyday?

[deltree]

I am one of those people who have faced the same problem as the opening poster. I must clarify here that if one takes on shaving as a 6-7 day gap affair the whole problem of razor burn and irritation goes inclusive of cuts. And at that stage I go directly in with a atg! I have yet to convert to DE but i assure you I have the hardest of grain and a highly sensitive skin. A 6-7 day grain done with cartridge system in my case results in much better results then a daily shave.
I have been able to create lather along the same lines as people do on this forum, just need to move to DE :p

Can anyone explain how a daily shave is capable of so much damage but a 6-7 day shave results in hardly a single or no nick at all?

[Go West Young Man]

3+ years of DE shaving here, and I've long since given up on going ATG. Every time I get curious and give it a try it ends badly, so I stick with 2 well designed XTG passes. That gives me 95% BBS with 0% irritation.

[jsj_297]

^^^ +1.....2 wtg passes, 2nd being slightly angled but wtg still. then 1-2 xtg passes, usuall stop after 1 though, the 2nd gets me as bbs as I can get w/o irritation...Some arent blessed with the ability, ill admit, Im jealous, and sometimes I still get the wild hair to do it, and I pay the price once again. I remember reading a while back somebody said on here "invisible stubble is better than visible irritation"....That usually works to justify my lack of bbs in my head. I also get near a 95% reduction though. Good luck sir!

[Dave258]

I am new at this too, but have you ever used a different blade then a feather? I am slowly learning what blades work best with each of my razors.

[MC91]

I am new at this too, but have you ever used a different blade then a feather? I am slowly learning what blades work best with each of my razors.

Yeah been through Derby, Wilkinson, Astra, Gillette greens and now Feather. Only blades that work for me are the Astra's and Feathers. Like them both but enjoy the sharpness of a feather.

Good point about razors though, in my wilkinson starter razor, Feathers shredded my face. Gillette greens were brilliant but feel rough in my Edwin Jagger.

[GlobalGentleman]

For what it's worth, the other day I found it very helpful before inserting a new blade, to just take the razor and practice going over my beard....

Study the angle at which the head sits and glides across the different facets and curves of the face. Try different razor grip techniques and watch how it affects the contact with skin in certain areas, for better or worse. Of course this doesn't completely simulate blade angle because there's no blade in it, but it certainly did give me a fresh perspective on how to best approach certain tricky areas (neck esp.) of my face and I found it an invaluable learning procedure which I'm sure I'll be repeating.

I think of the razor and blade as tools of our craft. Just as a mechanic who knows exactly how much pressure to exert with an air gun on a lug nut, or a woodworker artisan with his tools, I'm enjoying learning my razor as one only can each day with use and practice.

Just some food for thought... Or in our case 'some lather for contemplation' ;)
Cheers!