could soap be the problem?

[schwartr]

I have a very hard time going ATG with most blades. I get small cuts and redness all over. I have found one blade that works perfectly for me, but I was hoping to have other blades available.

Right now I'm using VDH-d, but could this soap (or any soap) be the problem with nicks,cuts,redness with ATG?

I am beginning to believe I just have super sensitive skin and my only option is to use one brand of blades forever and hope they never stop being made....which means they will end production tomorrow with my luck.

 

[Jim]

If you are having trouble going ATG you may want to add another pass across the grain first.
As an example, you may want to do a with the grain, across the grain from the nose to the ear then across the grain from ear to nose then against the grain.. This is just for example, how your beard grows would dictate the actual passes to do.

If your blade is not sharp or your angle is not correct, this will also cause problems.

Don't give up!

 

[Leche]

If you are having trouble going ATG you may want to add another pass across the grain first.
As an example, you may want to do a with the grain, across the grain from the nose to the ear then across the grain from ear to nose then against the grain.. This is just for example, how your beard grows would dictate the actual passes to do.

If your blade is not sharp or your angle is not correct, this will also cause problems.

Don't give up!

+1, this is excellent advise and will probably solve your problems. I doubt it is the soap unless your lather is horrible. Jim can fix that too if that is a problem under the soap tutorial sticky.

 

[Colphax]

You can't base all soaps off of your experience with just one soap. All that means is that the one soap you are having trouble with doesn't work for you.

Gold-Dachs works great for me, but L'Occitaine Cade doesn't. Every time I use Cade, I get more weepers and irritation than anything else I use. Dunno why, it just works that way for me. YMMV(TM). Maybe my skin doesn't like juniper oil.

Definitely try adjusting your technique. Going ATG can be hard to get your angle right. I'm a big proponent of the Gillette slide, personally, so I'd recommend you look at adding a slide pass into your routine before you try going ATG.

 

[Luc]

If you are having trouble going ATG you may want to add another pass across the grain first.
As an example, you may want to do a with the grain, across the grain from the nose to the ear then across the grain from ear to nose then against the grain.. This is just for example, how your beard grows would dictate the actual passes to do.

If your blade is not sharp or your angle is not correct, this will also cause problems.

Don't give up!

+1, this is excellent advise and will probably solve your problems. I doubt it is the soap unless your lather is horrible. Jim can fix that too if that is a problem under the soap tutorial sticky.

+2

Try a Feather or a Kai, that might help...

Soap sticky http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=63824

First thread should help. If you are using glycerin, try the Glycerin soap tutorial 1 and 2, those are great too!

 

[TromboneGuy]

You can't base all soaps off of your experience with just one soap. All that means is that the one soap you are having trouble with doesn't work for you.

Gold-Dachs works great for me, but L'Occitaine Cade doesn't. Every time I use Cade, I get more weepers and irritation than anything else I use. Dunno why, it just works that way for me. YMMV(TM). Maybe my skin doesn't like juniper oil.

Same idea. L'Occitane gives me the closest shave of anything, but it isn't the most comfortable shave when I'm done. That honor goes to Pre de Provence.

 

[schwartr]

I did not mean all soaps in general. I meant this one soap in particular.

 

[krevo]

VdH deluxe is highly regarded around here. I would think your lather or technique would be the problem (assuming it's actually not your skin)

Truthfully, your ATG pass should always be pretty much a smooth stroke. If you're feeling a lot of pushback or tugging, you're not getting a clean enough shave on the first and second passes.

And for what it's worth, I have an Old Spice mug loaded with a puck of VDH Deluxe which I use regularly. I've never once had any issues making the same good lather I can pull off with a higher end cream. Might not be quite as "rich" but it's definitely just as slick and cushioned.

 

[philamac]

If an against the grain pass is causing so much damage then don't do one. I did it once a long time ago. Haven't done one since.

I do 2 WTG and 1 XTG and am perfectly happy with the result. Just remember that its not a competion or a test of manliness that means you have to do ATG

 

[the beav]

If you are having trouble going ATG you may want to add another pass across the grain first.

+1 It worked for me, too.

 

[HoratioCaine]

If an against the grain pass is causing so much damage then don't do one. I did it once a long time ago. Haven't done one since.

Sage advice, imo. This is something that rarely gets advised on forums dedicated to Ultimate Shaving Bliss (a.k.a., USB, not to be confused with another very common occurrence on any number of Internet forums, UBS, or Unfounded Bullsh*t), but the truth is, not everybody can handle shaving against the grain. Shaving isn't really the most skin friendly of procedures to begin with, and ATG passes are pushing the boundaries of what a number of people's skin can tolerate. That might not be your issue, since you say you can do it successfully with one of your blades. But I would advise you to ask yourself how important it is to get that cue-ball feel on your face. If you can actually do it without any problems, and you like it, then go for it. But if you have to stay hemmed in to a very specific combination of products lest your face give you what for, your face might be trying to tell you to back off. Having said that, only you can answer your original question, which is if the VDH-d soap you're using is contributing to your issue. Only trial and error, using other soaps, creams and techniques, will tell you how your skin reacts to what; over time, you should be able to find the right products and techniques that allow you to get the results you desire, or at least can accept.

 

[Suzuki]

Couple of points - I definitely notice a difference between various soaps and creams and there are some products that are more likely to cause me to have a less than optimal shave.

VDH is certainly a good product, but I've found that, overall, soaps with tallow (and the more the better) tend to treat my face the best as they just seem slicker/to provide more glide.

I agree that the ATG pass is the most difficult and one way to address some of the problem areas is an XTG pass either at a right or 45 degree angle.

 

[goose]

I agree with HC and Chris. There is no rule that says you have to go against the grain. I prefer to use a cross grain or 45 angle cut that Chris mentioned. No matter what combination of products I use going against the grain every day will lead to irritation.

For me all of the glycerin soaps I have used (including VdH) are very slick but don't provide enough cushion between the blade and my face. You might want to try out Tabac as it is relatively inexpensive and provides more cushion than any other soap I have used. I also think Trumper's, Penhaligon's, and Harris are excellent but they are more pricey. Keep in mind, any of these products will last you six months or more.

Clint

 

[talibeard]

When you are only facing problems with your ATG pass I doubt it has much to do with the soap you are using. There are differences for sure between one soap or another but this sounds more like you are going ATG too soon or you are simply using too much pressure to get the job done.
On the other hand it might be that you really just have a few blades to choose from; of the 30-ish types of blade I tried only 4 or 5 are decent enough for a great shave. When the blade isn't cutting it, going ATG doesn't work at all.
That is why I never go beyond a 3-pass shave on a first encounter with a new blade, just to be sure I don't need a 4 day shave stop to calm my skin.