Brave man for attempting the experiment. Not for everyone and, as you say, you're missing out on part of the ritual, which is part of the enjoyment for the likes of me. Regards, Chris
Yeah, I have to admit now that it is time to shave again, that I don't really want to only do 1-1.5 passes all ATG. It happened so fast last shave that I don't even really rmember it. Completely robbed me of the ritual. I stand on my comment that this is probably a fine thing to do but if you are a ritualized shaver, it isn't for you. I may save it for times when I don't have time but in nearly 7 years, I haven't had one of those times.
True dat, my good man. But since it's taken me half a lifetime to get to this point I wouldn't want to forego the ritual and I can't do ATG on the neck anyway without carnage (a cheeky pass at about 45 degrees is the most I can risk). Well done for trying and reporting it though. Regards, Chris
And I am a ritualized shaver. I'm with you in that if I don't have time to enjoy my shave my way, I don't shave.
I agree completely that if it works.. do it! My explanation is more of a general purpose statement. Most people will find this to be true, but not everyone. The hair on my neck grows from left to right so I actually end up doing to bastardized XTG passes (N to S, S to N) and it works pretty well for me.
Whoa! 8th grade teacher?!! What was the name of that course and why were they teaching it? I still had just peach fuzz way back then! Though as I recall, one of my buddies had quite the 5 o'clock shadow...but he was on the 8th grade 3-year plan!
English, and he was speaking with me after class was over for the day. That said, one of my classmates had a full beard in 6th grade. . . and no, he wasn't any years behind schedule for reaching 6th grade.
here is a question, no 24 states hold the handle at an angle that allows both the top cap and safety bar to engage the skin. How do you "ride the top cap" folks think of THAT?
Riding the cap is not meant to be an end all to be all recipe for the perfect shave. It is a method of shaving which always applies the shallowest angle a razor of which a razor is capable. This is useful for both new shavers having difficulty with finding a comfortable shaving angle, and for anyone picking up a new model of razor for the first time. Not every razor and every beard type are best suited for the shallowest possible angle, but generally with this method, the most comfortable shaves can be had while learning. Many new shavers having difficulties have benefitted from trying this. Use it or don't, that's what this "ride the cap" guy says. It isn't some kind of merit badge.
Trolling? I don't see "riding the cap" as meaning to put the top of the cap flat against your face. Common sense will tell you that ain't gonna do a thing. You have to angle down to get the blade edge on the face - again, common sense. Common sense also says that to put just the bar on the face (no contact with the cap), ain't gonna do a thing, either. I thing "ride the cap" is a way to help new folks understand a way to help them find optimum angle for their razor to their face.
I never shave ATG, my skin just can't handle it. But I can get a perfectly acceptable, irritation free DFS WTG only. If I have a patch of stubborn hair I go XTG. But to me going ATG is asking for irritation and it's not worth the trouble.
That it's your face and your shave. It's shaving, not some kind of complicated choreography ... "Riding the cap" is still excellent advice in my opinion. Please feel free to think otherwise, but don't make it more complicated than it really is.
I did this when I started shaving as a teen. However, thirty years later my beard is a lot tougher than when I was 20 years old. I switched from ATG-only to WTG/ATG sometime in the 1990's I think.
I've been blaspheming a bit since I posted that and have basically adopted that as my new method. It works and I don't have any irritation still and with most things with traditional wet shaving, the more you do it, the better you get. My current routine is: Shower dry off rewet my face with cold water from the tap lather up one ATG pass touch-up if needed cold water rinse pat dry on towel apply Lucky Tiger vanishing cream apply AS du jour smile all day
Re: Shaving With A Gillette I think it is a hand holding something not visible between thumb and forefinger.
