ATG is it really worth it?

[Shutterbug57]

I shave WTG - for the boss. This presents an acceptable face at work.

I shave XTG & ATG for the wife. She prefers it and I don't mind obliging her preference.

Since I shave once per day, I just go ahead and get it done. The interesting thing is when I do the 3 pass shave, my beard is 24 hours fresher than with a cart. I shave in the morning and my before I shave with a DE, my beard feels like it was just shaved with a cart. I have never had shaves like I am getting now prior to switching to traditional shaving. Hopefully eventually I will get the hand of my straights, but my DEs do a fantastic job.

 

[TonyJoe]

If I don't shave ATG I don't feel clean shaven. One reason I had stopped shaving regularly 10+ years ago was that I was getting lots of irritation in spots - especially my neck - and never getting a smooth close shave. It didn't seem worth the trouble so I grew a great big beard. Now that I've learned proper technique, I can shave every day and get very smooth and close with little to no irritation. Shaving ATG is the only thing that gets me there. Like others have already posted, it boils down to what you need and/or want to accomplish with your shave. If ATG is unnecessary in your world, then don't sweat it and enjoy your shaves!

 

[Kilroy6644]

I always did one ATG pass with my carts, and I got a DFS every time. When I started using DEs, I did two WTG and dropped the ATG pass for a couple of weeks, because it went pretty rough. But once I got used to using a DE, I started doing it again. WTG just doesn't get close enough for me, and in my opinion, there's no point in shaving if it's not gonna be close. I don't get BBS, but I get a good shave.

 

[sychodelix]

Just an FYI for those with sensitive skin (or those who mutilate for BBS), going near ATG has pretty much all the effect of ATG and little of the irritation. Near ATG is basically a diagonal in between of XTG and ATG. Works great, saves skin.

 

[jasonb8736]

I think it would come personal preference...and personal needs. If you are in a position where you need to avoid having a 5:00 shadow....and are shaving at night...ATG might be pretty important. I can't do it, however. It's either my technique or my hair or my skin...or all three, but it irritates my face to go against the grain. I would like to get there someday though. Mine would be personal preference. I can get away with the slight stubble i have the next day after my 3 passes the night before.

Hi noahpictures...

I've only been wet shaving for about a year but I'm doing pretty well now. I hope you don't mind me asking what your prep and product pairings are. I'm always looking to improve. Thanks.

Jason

 

[Bill R]

Is ATG worth it?
Yes, it is for me, perhaps not for you. Everyone differs and that's fine and as it should be. Do whatever you are comfortable with.

 

[spacegoast]

I have only been wet shaving for a little over a month now and I have tried ATG right from the start. I actually tried going diagonally last night, kind of in the middle of XTG and ATG. Seemed to work out well. I definitely like that is gave less irritation than a full on ATG pass. Still difficult for me to get the neck area, just below the jawline but I am working on it. In the end, it is worth it to me. Makes me feel proud like I just finished a major acheivement.

We need a new acronym for this hybrid ATG/XTG pass, lol.

 

[jmsodpc]

I atg on my cheeks only. My neck gets wtg and xtg

 

[sychodelix]

NATG = Near Against the Grain

It's amazing how much difference the harshness of the shave it by rotating just a few degrees.

I have only been wet shaving for a little over a month now and I have tried ATG right from the start. I actually tried going diagonally last night, kind of in the middle of XTG and ATG. Seemed to work out well. I definitely like that is gave less irritation than a full on ATG pass. Still difficult for me to get the neck area, just below the jawline but I am working on it. In the end, it is worth it to me. Makes me feel proud like I just finished a major acheivement.

We need a new acronym for this hybrid ATG/XTG pass, lol.

 

[angrybruin]

I always do ATG where ever possible. I use short strokes as well. If I feel ANYTHING that feels "funny" when I go ATG, I immediately stop. I don't want to slice up my face. But I also think that proper preparation of the stubble is in order as well. I took the advice of someone at B&B (I wish I could remember who it was, sorry) and bought some soap with glycerin in it. I use it to wash my face before shaving. Seems to soften the beard and make things slick. I also keep shaving cream on the area being shaved. Good luck in your quest!

 

[Luminose]

Thanks again to everyone who replied. I was really interested in what everyone thought of ATG and if they did it or not what their reasons were and it's been really nice to see ATG techniques.

ATG seems to be the clear winner in the poll so far.

In light of this thread I decided to to do a ATG 3rd pass tonight. Sides of neck and cheeks were no problem while my chin area was slightly irritated since I haven't done any ATG shaves in a good while.

Just to clear things up it's not that I can't ATG or that I've been unsuccessful in the past. When it comes down to me personally I can only tell the difference if I rub my had ATG and my face isn't rough enough that it's ever bothered SWMBO so I wanted to get a feel for how other people view ATG shaving.

 

[OldSaw]

ATG or I feel like I haven't finished.

 

[BilliardKing]

I shave WTG for an acceptable work shave and stop there if i'm in a hurry. XTG if i'm not in a hurry.

ATG if I feel like dragging my shave out a little longer, or if i'm about to see my fiancee. Especially if it's a special occasion. I don't think she really minds how close i'm shaved, just as long as I don't have a big ol' beard going on and am not too scratchy when she cuddles me.

 

[Alexgcohn]

I need to go ATG every time, even at the risk of nicks / weepers. I can't stand leaving stubble behind.

 

[BillC]

I can go WTG, XTG & ATG without any irritation so I do. If it gave me razor burn or ingrowns I wouldn't do it

 

[oldbluelight]

I kinda like it. It gives me a chance to use more of that wonderful, warm, luxurious lather I made. I'll even prolong the pleasure with touch-ups. I guess I'm kinda lucky. With a DE razor I seldom get any serious irritation. When I do the witch hazel and AS tamp it down before the next shave. Most of my weepers and nicks occur on the first or second pass so stopping short wouldn't stop the blood-letting. Heck! I'm having fun and on the cheap too. Why would I want to stop early?

 

[LMAN007]

What is negative pressure??? Is that like weightlessness in outer space? You say zero pressure, that tells me there is NO pressure, which is what you want.

 

[LMAN007]

I could not have said it better!

 

[john shea]

To me, no pressure means only the weight of the razor pressing against the skin. This is the default condition for DE shaving. For sensative areas like my lip, I use less pressure than the weight of the razor with very short delicate strokes. The natural tendency is to try to press down where the pass has not eliminated all stubble. It may be a consequence of a dull blade or difficult growth patterns. Pressing down is a major cause of nicks and irritation. It is often possible to get the hard spots by coming at them after good hydration from multiple directions using a sharp blade. Multiple passes is no problem for me as long as I do not press down. If tthis does not get me a BBS/DFS, I try a more aggressive DE razor. I cannot get a BBS shave from a Gillette SS, but a Slim at a setting of 7 does a close comfortable shave on me.


HTH

 

[bemiller]

Currently I do ATG on my cheeks but I am avoiding ATG on my neck which I do WTG/XTG instead due to high sensitivity in that area. Would a perfect BBS shave be preferable? Absolutely, however I am starting to see that it is not worth the irritation to achieve.