I think I have conditioned my skin and skill to do ATG. I love BBS. I don't feel I have completed my shave until I'm smooth. I no longer get Irritation.
I do the same on my neck, Nick. I refer to the little folds as "gator hide" because that's what it looks like in a magnifying mirror. I can do an ATG on my neck on second pass using a feather light touch only. Usually, I'll save the lower part of the throat for the 3 pass and then go diagonally, again, very lightly. I have only recently been able to do this without any nicks and good results. I have never had a BBS on the lower throat, due to the rough terrain there. From the Adams apple on up, I get at least a DFS and most times a BBS every shave. It;s just the lower throat that is my bane.
Yes, I do upward passes. When I shave I always do three passes. My typical routine is this. Prep: Differs on the weekends. but typically shower, wash face, use really hot water to rinse face. Apply preshave oil and lather. 1st pass: WTG Hot water rinse Lather (On weekends I do a hot towel in between each pass)2nd Pass: XTG Hot water rinse Lather (On weekends I do a hot towel in between each pass)3rd Pass: ATG Cold Water Rinse Alum Block Cold Water Rinse Aftershave balm
Generally, my 3rd pass is upwards. ATG under my chin, is the area that really 'sorts out the men from the boys', where blades are concerned. Only the best blades will cruise through that spot; with lesser blades I have to switch to XTG.
Actually I am sort of confused. Had been hearing not to shave ATG ever since I started shaving, as it might cause ingrown hair. But it seems I could not get a satisfactory shave, which might not be real BBS yet, without doing the ATG pass. Had been doing ATG even with a multiblade before moving onto a DE razor recently.
It's true it's hard to get quite as smooth without ATG as you can with ATG whether using a multiblade, DE, or SE razor. Many people use the ATG stroke as the last of several directional passes in order to minimize risk of ingrown hair. Others only use it in certain areas that are hard to get smooth otherwise. Based on their own experience, rather risk irritation many drop ATG altogether and just go for the Damn Fine Shave (DFS). Using cartridges, a surprising number of my non-DE using friends seem to be able use ATG as a 1st and only pass with zero problems (most using canned foam, a few using nothing but water, and a couple dry! )...though, I've never heard anyone doing this on the shaving forums. Recommendations for saving the ATG pass for last is simply an experience-based guideline (hopefully based on the experiences of a majority of individuals) to use as a foundation for an effective yet comfortable shave...from there it's up to each person to figure out what works best for themselves...results-wise, effort-wise, time-wise, patience-wise, etc. Hope that helps!
I do 3 passes.. With the grain, Against the grain and then on my jawline a semi Across the grain with a little j-hooking. This provides me baby butt smooth every single time. I don't know why but my jawline always needs that final touchup because after the first 2 passes, it still feels like sandpaper. As my blade gets to the end of its life, I do the blade buffing technique on all 3 passes and that gets me a couple of more days of life on my blade.
Yes to upward passes Yes. Because it is a more effective method for me. Some areas like the base of my neck I cannot shave in any other manner or I will get cuts.
I add a fourth pass, my oil pass, which is just a buffing pass using a combo of five food grade oils that The Leisureguy developed a few yrs ago and published on his blog. Works great for me and allows me to get BBS almost every day. Google "Last Pass Shave Oil" any you will find the recipe.
Very similar in my case. I have tried the Upwards pass on my cheeks but the difference to my routine WTG and XTG is not that noticeable. I might end of doing a ATG on a spot or two on my neck, depending how I feel that particular day of addressing those particular spots but generally, No, i don't do Upwards/Against the grain.
I do ATG and get extra reduction/smoothness (WTG, ATG, XTG). With sharper blades sometimes I skip the XTG 3rd pass. I'll have to try that "Last Pass Shave Oil" for touchup, as most of my irritation comes from that final step.
I do both ATG and WTG to get the closest shave possible. Without ATG I don't get a shave that's smooth and lasts.
+1 on the oil polishing pass! And Leisureguy's book can't be recommended highly enough...esp for newer wet shavers! I've been a DE shaver for 5 or 6 years and still use the book!
With the grain (WTG), Across the grain (XTG), and Against the Grain (ATG). No problem. Sometimes one; sometimes two; and sometimes all three. Depends on how I feel.
Yes always on my face, but not always on neck. Occasionally I will make one or two SLOW ATG passes on neck area though usually it's 2 WTG and 1 XTG. It all depends on my caffeine intake that day really. :happy005
I've seen and read many articles on mens grooming that said "Never shave against the grain". I took that with a "grain" of salt. I can't call a shave done until I go ATG. That does it for me.
