How many of you struggle going against the grain?

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Tried it for the second time today, was worse than the first time. Used a feather for 1st pass, Wilkinson sword blade for XTG & ATG with a DE89, pre shave oil, Taylor Peppermint shave cream.

Face became super irritated and couldn't even complete the full face with ATG. I think I will stick to 2 passes from now.

Was just interested to hear how many others struggle going ATG? Thanks
 
There are people out there who can shave ATG seemingly without bother, and ones for whom it's not worth it. I'm in the latter.

It's not even that the pass itself feels bad at the time. I tried a full ATG pass for the first time in several months a week ago. As I did it, it felt fine, no tugging or pulling, and only a couple of tiny weepers (I used to get lots doing this when I first started). Within minutes the irritation on my face was crazy and felt annoyed for the rest of the day that I'd even tried it. Thoroughly unpleasant results despite feeling ok as I made the pass. And a few days later I had a large bump on the neck and a gigantic ingrown hair to remove. Not doing it again.
 
There are people out there who can shave ATG seemingly without bother, and ones for whom it's not worth it. I'm in the latter.

It's not even that the pass itself feels bad at the time. I tried a full ATG pass for the first time in several months a week ago. As I did it, it felt fine, no tugging or pulling, and only a couple of tiny weepers (I used to get lots doing this when I first started). Within minutes the irritation on my face was crazy and felt annoyed for the rest of the day that I'd even tried it. Thoroughly unpleasant results despite feeling ok as I made the pass. And a few days later I had a large bump on the neck and a gigantic ingrown hair to remove. Not doing it again.

What about XTG but the opposite way? Would this make any difference do you think?
 
Similar to @dave79 I dont even bother going ATG, knowing that it will cause irritation on my neck. 2 passes are sufficient for me. WTG and XTG.

I know how my skin reacts, and avoid anything that is going to cause discomfort. Likewise I know my limitations with shaving; never had a BBS shave as trying to do so causing irritation and soreness. This came with experience and learning the hard way. These days I have a very close and smooth shave, having learnt which products work for me. Experience, technique and a decent kit (not expensive! But a combination that works) means I have a really good shave without a problem.

When I first started shaving I watched loads of Youtube videos and read loads of advice. A lot advocated a 3 pass shave. I worked out that was no good for me. Similarly I have worked out that open comb razors dont work for me. But that's another story.

Do what is instinctive and comfortable. If going ATG is painful - dont do it! If needed go WTG or XTG twice. Not sure if you are fairly new to wet shaving? Map your beard growth, and experiment a little. You'll find your sweet spot!
 
Similar to @dave79 I dont even bother going ATG, knowing that it will cause irritation on my neck. 2 passes are sufficient for me. WTG and XTG.

I know how my skin reacts, and avoid anything that is going to cause discomfort. Likewise I know my limitations with shaving; never had a BBS shave as trying to do so causing irritation and soreness. This came with experience and learning the hard way. These days I have a very close and smooth shave, having learnt which products work for me. Experience, technique and a decent kit (not expensive! But a combination that works) means I have a really good shave without a problem.

When I first started shaving I watched loads of Youtube videos and read loads of advice. A lot advocated a 3 pass shave. I worked out that was no good for me. Similarly I have worked out that open comb razors dont work for me. But that's another story.

Do what is instinctive and comfortable. If going ATG is painful - dont do it! If needed go WTG or XTG twice. Not sure if you are fairly new to wet shaving? Map your beard growth, and experiment a little. You'll find your sweet spot!
Thanks for the reply, I use to wet shave with cartridge razors years ago but that use to lead to irritation, cuts and poor shave results. So much so that I switched to electric for years. Due to a few reasons I have recently started DE shaving and yeh like you say for me ATG is not workable so likely it will be WTG & XTG. Would it make a difference if one of the XTG passes went the opposite way? So I.e the first XTG pass went from the jaw to the cheek and the next pass went from the cheek to jaw? Not sure if I have explained it well enough tbh but if you understand what I mean is this something you have ever done? Thanks
 
Yes, of course XTG can be done two ways. You'll only find out if it works for you by trying it. Doing WTG then both variations of XTG can get one a shave almost as close as finishing with ATG, but with less irritation. I've found that even doing a WTG then both ways XTGs can be too much for my skin.

I seem to have found a happy medium of 2 WTGs then 1 XTG. Have a go at various combinations and make notes if it helps you. You'll soon find what does and doesn't work
 
I don't go ATG either. My beard's coarse and going ATG hurts when the hair is pushed backward before being cut, there is also noticeable resistance even with a sharp blade. I have had BBS but getting there was unpleasant and after four hours or so I'd lost the benefit of the ATG pass.

Two passes for me WTG, XTG plus a bit of cleanup just under my cheekbones. No irritation at all that way and a perfectly acceptable shave. I can live with my face not feeling like a girl's. ;)
 
I can manage all but if I feel one or the other is giving me gip then I just don't bother going there. Other than that I can usually get all I want from a WTG only.

If something gives discomfort then simply give it a miss. You'll look far better happily shaven than carrying signs of pushing barriers.
 
If I don't go ATG is like I didn't shave. Always two passes (I've tried three but is not a comfortable shave). My weapon of choice is a Muhle R106 but sometimes, especially Sunday mornings I use an R41. And yes, a few times I did go ATG with R41, very close shave but the face was a bit sore after so now is WTG with R41 and ATG with R106.
 
I can manage all but if I feel one or the other is giving me gip then I just don't bother going there. Other than that I can usually get all I want from a WTG only.

If something gives discomfort then simply give it a miss. You'll look far better happily shaven than carrying signs of pushing barriers.

That threw me for a curve in that context so I found this:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-gyp2.htm

In the U.S.A. we use it as a verb such as "He gypped me!!" which in that context means cheated, i.e., gyp = to cheat or swindle. I learned something from your usage. ;)
 
That threw me for a curve in that context so I found this:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-gyp2.htm

In the U.S.A. we use it as a verb such as "He gypped me!!" which in that context means cheated, i.e., gyp = to cheat or swindle. I learned something from your usage.

I think it is one of those words with lots of different meanings and very dependent on where you live.

It is also mispelt often by people like me :rolleyes:
 
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