Closer shave without going ATG?

**diehardyouth** · 04-04-2011, 02:03 PM

Hi guys,

I'm pretty new to the DE and I'm enjoying it :)

I have an issue though. I can get a pretty good shave if I shave ATG, but my face feels irritated as hell after. I'm sure part of it is my technique, but I think a large part of it is my skin (although, I never had a problem with cartridge razors and ATG?).

If I don't shave ATG I have no irritation but I have quite a bit of stubble that I can't seem to get off regardless of the number of passes (both WTG and XTG).

Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I can do to get a closer shave without the irritation?

Any advice is welcome.

Here is a list of the products I've tried:

- Merkur 34C
- Blades: Derby, Feather, Super Platinum, Shark, Israelli Red
- Col. Conk Almond, Mitchell's Wool Fat

Thanks!

**Luc** · 04-04-2011, 02:09 PM

Hold ATG for now. Keep practicing WTG/XTG and try ATG for now. Keep in mind, not everyone can shave ATG. I would think it's related to your technique more than anything at this stage.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

**Eric V** · 04-04-2011, 03:02 PM

What Luc said. Technic. Your shaves will become closer with more experience. Do omit the ATG.

**Munxcub** · 04-04-2011, 03:08 PM

You can try a half ATG pass. Basically split the difference between XTG and ATG, maybe like 70% XTG, and gradually shift it more towards ATG until you find your sweet spot of closeness:irritation.

**flight567** · 04-04-2011, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Munxcub

You can try a half ATG pass. Basically split the difference between XTG and ATG, maybe like 70% XTG, and gradually shift it more towards ATG until you find your sweet spot of closeness:irritation.

^great advice. another thing, is that you might want to try a sharper blade... order a blade sampler.

**Munxcub** · 04-05-2011, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by flight567

^great advice. another thing, is that you might want to try a sharper blade... order a blade sampler.

Check out his list in the OP, he's got plenty sharp blades... I would suggest less pressure with them. To the point where it feels like it's not even touching your face, borderline ridiculous.

**jwcarlson** · 04-05-2011, 07:59 AM

If I go ATG anything like my WTG or XTG passes I'll be irritated. If I go really really slow and hold my skin fairly tight (but don't stretch too much) I can get BBS with little to no irritation. To me it's not worth it unless I feel like doing it. Occasionally the mood will strike me but not very often. I get a DFS in two passes and that's plenty good for me! I might try a cold water shave ATG, however... which I haven't done yet.

Also, it helps instead of going straight against the grain go at a bit of an angle, going straight ATG doesn't seem to work so well for me and doesn't get any closer that I can measure. Somewhere between a 90 degree XTG and ATG.

**probesport** · 04-05-2011, 08:04 AM

During my initial learning curve I had the same issue so I avoided ATG until I had my technique solid. After you consistently get DFS from WTG/XTG then it can be re-introduced. Now I can do one WTG then one ATG and I am done, no irritation at all.

I had quite a few really raw/red patches when I would try that early on.

**stevodevo** · 04-05-2011, 08:39 AM

Can't add much to what's already been said. I just did my first DE shave last night but I did try a very light ATG as my final pass. Did I get a BBS? No. Was I expecting to? Again, no. I had no irritation, just a few nicks. I don't know what your lather is like but I had to make mine nice and thick and relather between each pass.

I plan to stick with one blade (Derby Extra for now) and practice technique several times before trying out more aggressive blades.

Good luck to you and happy shaving!

**BentonClay** · 04-05-2011, 08:39 AM

I'm no expert but I've had this issue too, especially on my neck. For me, improving the lather was the solution. I noticed that on subsequent passes, I had been applying less lather than on the initial pass, thinking I suppose that subsequent passes would somehow inherit the goodness of the first lather. When I reversed that thinking and became more generous with lather on subsequent passes, the irritation went away for me.

**Munxcub** · 04-05-2011, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by BentonClay

I'm no expert but I've had this issue too, especially on my neck. For me, improving the lather was the solution. I noticed that on subsequent passes, I had been applying less lather than on the initial pass, thinking I suppose that subsequent passes would somehow inherit the goodness of the first lather. When I reversed that thinking and became more generous with lather on subsequent passes, the irritation went away for me.

yeah I try to keep all my latherings the same. Thick, slick and delicious!