Adding an ATG pass, thoughts.

[Frankthetank]

So last night, I was looking at my face and was dissatisfied with the quality of my shave from the morning. I had shaved WTG, XTG, XTG. Past experiences with ATG just left me bloody and irritated, so I had pretty much written off ATG passes.

But then I said to myself, "That's it, I'm getting a close shave, right now". With determination, I lathered up, loaded up my most mild razor (Tech), and proceeded with the WTG, XTG, XTG passes. Then came time for the ATG pass. Deep breath. And...

Pretty comfortable actually! Using very short, light, deliberate strokes, I was able to mow down that last bit of whisker and FINALLY get a legitimate BBS shave! I think one of the keys was avoiding long, sweeping strokes.

No irritation, and still very smooth the morning after as I type this.

So moral of the story? If you tried ATG in the past and failed, don't be afraid to try it again later! Improvement in technique might allow you to handle it. Oh, and those short strokes were a savior for me, so give that a shot too!

So B&B'ers, Chime in with your ATG experiences, or success stories! Also, throw in technique suggestions to help those struggling with it.

 

[TallyShave]

I know the concept of the ATG pass generates a lot of discussion around here and many folks find it uncomfotable while others consider it a bit of a right of passage or point of pride. For me, I enjoy the fact that as my technique has improved, the need for an ATG pass to achieve my desired shave disappeared.

 

[MixedMotives]

most of the time on ATG passes people tend to take to long of a stroke

 

[brush-mower]

ATG is critical to achieving a BBS. However, I like to use two razors in my shave, an EJ89 for the WTG and XTG, then a Weishi or Fatboy for the ATG and polish. I think a milder razor with a sharper blade is the way to go on the ATG. So a nice combo might be an SI in the EJ89 and a Feather or 7 o'clock yellow in the Fatboy.

 

[Frankthetank]

ATG is critical to achieving a BBS. However, I like to use two razors in my shave, an EJ89 for the WTG and XTG, then a Weishi or Fatboy for the ATG and polish. I think a milder razor with a sharper blade is the way to go on the ATG. So a nice combo might be an SI in the EJ89 and a Feather or 7 o'clock yellow in the Fatboy.

I definitely agree with the sharper blade, its key to avoid all the tugging. I used a Gillette Silver Blue, which I understand is (and feels like) a very sharp blade. I still haven't tried feathers, partially because the GSB's have been so good and I've had no desire to try them, but I should give them a whirl.

 

[Mbuckwash]

Agreed! At first, I was both hesitant and skeptical to try an ATG pass. I thought that the difference between a BSS and a DFS was only a few hours long and that if anything, it was more of a mental or personal achievement to successfully achieve a BSS due to an ATG pass. However, nowadays, I've implemented a hybrid XTG/ATG pass where I kind of go from my nose to my ear in an across/upward motion. It may not be 100% against the grain, but I have found that it still does what I consider to be BSS and doesn't give me any irritation or bumps. A lot of my struggle came from an incorrect mapping of my beard as well. I would say to the inexperienced wet shaver, not that any of us on B&B specifically are, to let your beard grow to the point where you can see which direction it grows in and really gain an understanding of which direction it grows. It is paramount in knowing which way to shave WTG, XTG, etc because then you won't mistakenly shave against the grain, when you thought you were actually going with the grain, for example.

 

[jcblough]

Agreed! At first, I was both hesitant and skeptical to try an ATG pass. I thought that the difference between a BSS and a DFS was only a few hours long and that if anything, it was more of a mental or personal achievement to successfully achieve a BSS due to an ATG pass. However, nowadays, I've implemented a hybrid XTG/ATG pass where I kind of go from my nose to my ear in an across/upward motion. It may not be 100% against the grain, but I have found that it still does what I consider to be BSS and doesn't give me any irritation or bumps. A lot of my struggle came from an incorrect mapping of my beard as well. I would say to the inexperienced wet shaver, not that any of us on B&B specifically are, to let your beard grow to the point where you can see which direction it grows in and really gain an understanding of which direction it grows. It is paramount in knowing which way to shave WTG, XTG, etc because then you won't mistakenly shave against the grain, when you thought you were actually going with the grain, for example.

I use this technique on my neck. . . I call it aatg (almost against the grain). I find it to give a sufficient dang near bbs without the fear of ingrown hairs.

 

[BrookR1]

I think it took me two or three months to fully get my technique down. Now I zip through an ATG pass without much thought and I get a really nice shave. I use long strokes on my neck and cheeks and short strokes around my chin and lower lip.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

The solution to my ATG woes was found with consistency not a secret technique or new product. Once I could hold to proper blade angle ATG was easy. In the beginning I would attempt ATG but my blade angle was going up and down with each swipe. That led to poor shave quality.

 

[Eeyore]

However, nowadays, I've implemented a hybrid XTG/ATG pass where I kind of go from my nose to my ear in an across/upward motion. It may not be 100% against the grain, but I have found that it still does what I consider to be BSS and doesn't give me any irritation or bumps.

I've done that for years, before I knew there were abbreviations for the shaving directions

I call that the RXTG stroke; across the grain in the other direction. So, if I want to achieve a really smooth shave, I do WTG, XTG and RXTG passes. Otherwise I just do a WTG and XTG.

 

[macshark]

I think the "Using very short, light, deliberate strokes..." is what I have NOT been doing. Thanks for sharing, I will try it tomorrow.

 

[sysiphus]

My best shaves have been WTG - XTG - ATG - straight up. Yes....I do a fourth pass, from neck to nose. Doesn't happen every day, but when I'm willing to add the time to the shave, it makes a huge difference!

YMMV, especially with differing directions of facial hair growth.

 

[Psychtec]

Reviving thread from 2013.

When I first began wet shaving about two years ago, I was afraid of the ATG pass. This was mostly because I was learning how to comfortably hold the razor.

Over the years, my skin has hardened, my technique has improved and I am comfortable with holding the razor for WTG and XTG passes.

Last month I began practicing how to properly hold the razor during an ATG pass. It took time but now I feel comfortable. I am developing an ATG routine.

Now I use the classic three pass shave and I achieve a BBS shave during every shave.

Finally I get a BBS with minimal to no irritation.

 

[brucered]

Reviving thread from 2013.

When I first began wet shaving about two years ago, I was afraid of the ATG pass. This was mostly because I was learning how to comfortably hold the razor.

Over the years, my skin has hardened, my technique has improved and I am comfortable with holding the razor for WTG and XTG passes.

Last month I began practicing how to properly hold the razor during an ATG pass. It took time but now I feel comfortable. I am developing an ATG routine.

Now I use the classic three pass shave and I achieve a BBS shave during every shave.

Finally I get a BBS with minimal to no irritation.

After 15y of wet shaving, I still don't go ATG on my goatee area.

As a 2 pass shaver, I do WTG/ATG elsewhere and WTG/WTG or WTG/XTH on that area.

It works for me.

 

[Psychtec]

After 15y of wet shaving, I still don't go ATG on my goatee area.

As a 2 pass shaver, I do WTG/ATG elsewhere and WTG/WTG or WTG/XTH on that area.

It works for me.

Shaving ATG is like shaving upside down. It is very awkward feeling.

In the mustache area, I only go WTG and XTG. I am still too nervous to go ATG.

Soon I will practice holding the razor and shaving without the blade to gain familiarity, comfort and muscle memory.

ATG in mustache area, coming soon. I cannot say, how soon.

 

[Lane101]

So last night, I was looking at my face and was dissatisfied with the quality of my shave from the morning. I had shaved WTG, XTG, XTG. Past experiences with ATG just left me bloody and irritated, so I had pretty much written off ATG passes.

But then I said to myself, "That's it, I'm getting a close shave, right now". With determination, I lathered up, loaded up my most mild razor (Tech), and proceeded with the WTG, XTG, XTG passes. Then came time for the ATG pass. Deep breath. And...

Pretty comfortable actually! Using very short, light, deliberate strokes, I was able to mow down that last bit of whisker and FINALLY get a legitimate BBS shave! I think one of the keys was avoiding long, sweeping strokes.

No irritation, and still very smooth the morning after as I type this.

So moral of the story? If you tried ATG in the past and failed, don't be afraid to try it again later! Improvement in technique might allow you to handle it. Oh, and those short strokes were a savior for me, so give that a shot too!

So B&B'ers, Chime in with your ATG experiences, or success stories! Also, throw in technique suggestions to help those struggling with it.

ATG works for me regularly on both passes on the sides of my face where my skin is tighter and for the second pass on my neck area. The key is to ensure that my lather has plenty of slickness. Note that my razors range from mild (King C. Gillette) to moderate (Weishi 9306). Could see ATG as riskier with an aggressive razor with lots of blade exposure that would increase the risk of it skipping.

Suspect that success with ATG is YMMV and varies a lot based on beard and skin characteristics in addition to equipment.

 

[BigJ]

Good lesson! For me the ATG pass is essential for a ‘top-notch’ shave! (But that’s me.)

 

[WhiskerLess]

What adding ATG?

We don’t add, a few of us actually do ATG exclusively.

¡ATG All the Time!

Starting a new club/information clearinghouse for folks who endeavor to shave against the grain from start to finish whether a single pass or ♾️ passes get used. Was part of ASP, but I suspect the cleanup on my shaves counts from between 0.1 to 6.5 passes. If shaving only ATG is your thing...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[dotKomo]

For me, the key is angle and light strokes.

 

[Merchant Seaman Z]

I did a lot of ATG for about 7 months when I joined the Navy. Then I went electric for the rest of the enlistment. I tried it a few times with DE since then. Even though I’ve be using DE since ‘10. I don’t feel the need to shave that close anymore. If need be I’ll XTG and buffing for the desired look. But it’s not required for me anymore.