Against the grain pain

I'm in a tough position with against the grain shaving. Using an adjustable razor and going down in increments ive worked out that my 2 options are either

A) have a great shave with an WTG pass and possibly a XTG pass with no irritation but still have what looks like a 5 oclock shadow all over which is smooth when I run my hand with the grain but rough (sandpaper like) when I run it against the grain because the hair is so short. Or

B) complete a third pass ATG and be BBS and wait 10 mins after the shave for my face to burst into flames with razor burn.

There doesn't seem to be any in-between for me. My stubble is very coarse and I've yet to try a blade that doesn't drag when going ATG.

Any ideas out there?

Do I need to go up a setting for my WTG passes and forget about the ATG pass? I'm still going to be left with a shadow like stubble I think either way.

Abit disappointing if I'm honest but I don't see any other option.

For reference this is the case for all my razors. Going against the grain on standard non adjustable razors seems to drag my face off and ignite a furnace.
I probably won't be saying anything that others haven't already said, but I had similar problems in the past and also still find it difficult sometimes to get a smooth shave under the back of my jawline...the bit that ruins collars. My suggestions are:
1. Try one of the most often mentioned less aggressive razors - either Merkur 34C or EJDE89 (Personally I like the latter but the Merkur is still very good)
2. Get some sample blades including Derby's for the least aggressive, moving up to Feather for the sharpest. The latter should cut through tougher bristles more effectively but you need to take a little more care. The Derby could leave you needing about 20 passes! This is where the less aggressive razors come into their own...they won't hold the sharper Feather blades at too aggressive a gap. Middle of the range blades like Personna, Voskhod and Nacets should give you a good balance of sharpness and smoothness. My point is that blade choice might be most relevant to your issue, rather than the razor.
3. You could then try a slant - Merkur's 37c is basically a 34c slanted. Use it like you would a normal razor WTG and it might take care of more stubborn bristles.
4. Consider using a couple of different razors and different blade combinations. First pass with. say an EJ89 and a Feather, and a second with a slant and Nacet...or some other combination.
5. Adjust your pre-shave routine and give a little more time to prepping your beard and re-wetting with hot water etc between passes. Don't use water that's too hot as it will dry your face too much.
6. Try different shaving creams, soaps, oils etc.
7. It may sound daft, but try your first pass against the grain when your face is most prepped...the first pass can actually de-hydrate the face, so an ATG 2nd pass can feel rougher.
8. Make sure you are not over-shaving where there is no cream/soap. What you might think is a first pass could actually be a third or fourth in parts of your face where you have shaved where there's no cream. A 'pass' is not based on the first time you've removed all the cream from your face the first time...it's when you have shaved each part of your face only once with the blade. Razor burn is probably most often caused by over-shaving rather than the razor or blade choice.
9. Never shave against the grain if it continues to cause problems.

It may take some experimentation but there are lots of factors to consider and it's what makes wet shaving so fascinating, it's also what makes it so maddening, painful and bloody expensive, so don't get too hung up with trying every razor and blade etc. Borrow, and get samples, but work on prep and technique first!

Oh...and if all else fails, you could always buy a 'Leaf';):)(y)
 
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I probably won't be saying anything that others haven't already said, but I had similar problems in the past and also still find it difficult sometimes to get a smooth shave under the back of my jawline...the bit that ruins collars. My suggestions are:
1. Try one of the most often mentioned less aggressive razors - either Merkur 34C or EJDE89 (Personally I like the latter but the Merkur is still very good)
2. Get some sample blades including Derby's for the least aggressive, moving up to Feather for the sharpest. The latter should cut through tougher bristles more effectively but you need to take a little more care. The Derby could leave you needing about 20 passes! This is where the less aggressive razors come into their own...they won't hold the sharper Feather blades at too aggressive a gap. Middle of the range blades like Personna, Voskhod and Nacets should give you a good balance of sharpness and smoothness. My point is that blade choice might be most relevant to your issue, rather than the razor.
3. You could then try a slant - Merkur's 37c is basically a 34c slanted. Use it like you would a normal razor WTG and it might take care of more stubborn bristles.
4. Consider using a couple of different razors and different blade combinations. First pass with. say an EJ89 and a Feather, and a second with a slant and Nacet...or some other combination.
5. Adjust your pre-shave routine and give a little more time to prepping your beard and re-wetting with hot water etc between passes. Don't use water that's too hot as it will dry your face too much.
6. Try different shaving creams, soaps, oils etc.
7. It may sound daft, but try your first pass against the grain when your face is most prepped...the first pass can actually de-hydrate the face, so an ATG 2nd pass can feel rougher.
8. Make sure you are not over-shaving where there is no cream/soap. What you might think is a first pass could actually be a third or fourth in parts of your face where you have shaved where there's no cream. A 'pass' is not based on the first time you've removed all the cream from your face the first time...it's when you have shaved each part of your face only once with the blade. Razor burn is probably most often caused by over-shaving rather than the razor or blade choice.
9. Never shave against the grain if it continues to cause problems.

It may take some experimentation but there are lots of factors to consider and it's what makes wet shaving so fascinating, it's also what makes it so maddening, painful and bloody expensive, so don't get too hung up with trying every razor and blade etc. Borrow, and get samples, but work on prep and technique first!

Oh...and if all else fails, you could always buy a 'Leaf';):)(y)
Certainly is a lot to consider there but as I've just started wet shaving I've got plenty of time to experiment. Not the end of the world if I don't go ATG but there's optioms there. Thanks for that.

On the leaf...ive heard of alot of good reports but not jumping feet first...yet! :LOL:
 
I've had a bit of an epiphany with this. I joined this forum mainly to seek help on all things shaving related and it hasn't let me down.

Even on this subject there has been plenty of suggestions which will definitely come in useful but before I started on my one man crusade on trying to get a closer shave without ripping my face off I was talking to my Dad and asked him how he shaved as his facial hair would be exactly like mine. Did he do WTG, XTG and ATG or just stick to WTG....his response got me thinking.

He said he'd never went across the grain. 1 pass with the grain, 1 pass against the grain and hes fine.

I tried this last night and wouldn't you know it...the closest shave I've ever had, a small bit of dragging around the chin area but very little discomfort after the shave. 2 or 3 weepers to contend with but I can deal with that, it'll improve in time. Short strokes when going ATG seemed the key. Its one shave so I won't get carried away just yet but progress non the less.

Is it possible by doing an XTG pass im just over shaving? Its not the direction of the shave is the problem but the sheer amount of strokes?

One bit of advice earlier on in this thread was do what is comfortable for you so I think I'll follow that. One day I'll go WTG only followed by a closer shave going WTG and ATG (2passes) the following day to keep it simple and see how I feel.

Now that I can go ATG...I deserve a new razor to celebrate :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
 
:LOL: I've been threatening for weeks to get a Rex Ambassador. Go big or go home! :p
It's a nice looking razor. :)
I have a rather strong dislike for long middle posts, as I find they make blade unloading quite fussy, but the razor seems to be well liked.

You could also consider something like a GameChanger with a selection of base plates. They're very good at clamping the blade near the edges, which I find helps ATG tremendously, and for what's it worth, the 0.68 OC and Jaws both feel about the same, are very efficient but I can hardly feel the blade in them.
Or a FaTip Special Edition or their new OC slant. :)
 
It's a nice looking razor. :)
I have a rather strong dislike for long middle posts, as I find they make blade unloading quite fussy, but the razor seems to be well liked.

You could also consider something like a GameChanger with a selection of base plates. They're very good at clamping the blade near the edges, which I find helps ATG tremendously, and for what's it worth, the 0.68 OC and Jaws both feel about the same, are very efficient but I can hardly feel the blade in them.
Or a FaTip Special Edition or their new OC slant. :)
You're right, there's probably better options than a Rex for ATG shaving buts its always been the one razor I've really wanted!
 
REX!!!
View attachment 58181View attachment 58182View attachment 58183

I'm not affiliated, I just feel like enabling!
OMG here he goes again, Mr Rex AmBoycieDor himself with the razor porn! You do realise, Chris, that I'm in psychotherapy now and have been diagnosed wit PTRD (Post-Traumatic Rex Disorder) after the way you thrust...yes, thrust!...your Rex up my nose when I was considering a new razor purchase? o_O
@Dcshaves ...please get away now and seek help before it's too late!:eek:
:);)
 
OMG here he goes again, Mr Rex AmBoycieDor himself with the razor porn! You do realise, Chris, that I'm in psychotherapy now and have been diagnosed wit PTRD (Post-Traumatic Rex Disorder) after the way you thrust...yes, thrust!...your Rex up my nose when I was considering a new razor purchase? o_O
@Dcshaves ...please get away now and seek help before it's too late!:eek:
:);)
......It's too late....
 
OMG here he goes again, Mr Rex AmBoycieDor himself with the razor porn! You do realise, Chris, that I'm in psychotherapy now and have been diagnosed wit PTRD (Post-Traumatic Rex Disorder) after the way you thrust...yes, thrust!...your Rex up my nose when I was considering a new razor purchase? o_O
@Dcshaves ...please get away now and seek help before it's too late!:eek:
:);)
......It's too late....
Having listened to me, DC is now experiencing ARSE - Acquisition of Rex Sublime Ecstacy.

Could have been you!
 
It will be him...eventually. Time + my SOTD photo's + yours = @Greybeard buying a Rex.
I considered a Rex, after considering a Rockwell 6S that has wider acclaim and is much cheaper, but then I got the razor with ultimate configurability and universal acclaim that gave me the best shave of my life...the Leaf. And you honestly think that if the two of you gang up with your vastly over-priced ego-massaging, definitely future BST entries, that I'll be even remotely tempted to buy one myself? Huh...you clearly don't know a man of my resolve and utter determination to withstand all temptation!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

(But just between us, please don't post SOTD images of the Rex in monochrome or sepia...that would definitely push me over the temptation limit. Thanks guys:rolleyes:)
 
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