Duuuuuhhhh!

[skacj7]

So I have just entered the world of safety razor shaving. I have been straight shaving for quite some time, but thought it would be nice to shave with a DE in between honing my straights. I've only shaved with my DE about 4 times so far. I keep a light beard in the fall/winter so I have been learning to shave with a DE on the most difficult part of my face, the neck! (I know, not the best of ideas) I have been getting close shaves, but also been getting some wicked irritation and razor burn. Obviously I've heard so much talk about shaving WTG, ATG, etc., but never really paid attention to which way my facial hair REALLY grows. When shaving my neck I always just figured "with the grain" means shaving from top to bottom of neck. Well, I finally let the hair grow out a bit and really looked and realized my facial hair grows in a few different directions in a few spots. I shaved WITH the grain and got a close, irritation-free shave. I know this isn't a big epiphany or anything, but I'm really excited to have accomplished a nice painless shave and have finally listened to the wise words of all you guys and took the time to see which way my hair grows...because it really is important!!

It was a total "DUH!" moment.

Thanks for all the info this board has always provided...you guys are truly the best!!!

 

[clk]

Its amazing what you find out about yourself through DE shaving

 

[celestino]

Congratulations!

 

[Go West Young Man]

Amazing how many years you've lived with that face without realizing such a fundamental thing, huh?

 

[jamesspo]

Actually it's interesting that you didn't notice this while straight shaving. I find the grain is even more of a factor when I straight shave. Good luck with your DE shaves!

 

[skacj7]

Yeah you'd think lol. I have always gotten bad irritation shaving my neck from carts to straights so I think I always just chocked it up to it being a sensitive area. With the DE it seemed to be that much worse so it really forced me to look at the way my hair grows. And I'm glad I did! haha

Actually it's interesting that you didn't notice this while straight shaving. I find the grain is even more of a factor when I straight shave. Good luck with your DE shaves!

 

[takeshi]

Obviously I've heard so much talk about shaving WTG, ATG, etc., but never really paid attention to which way my facial hair REALLY grows. When shaving my neck I always just figured "with the grain" means shaving from top to bottom of neck. Well, I finally let the hair grow out a bit and really looked and realized my facial hair grows in a few different directions in a few spots.

FYI - you don't necessarily have to grow it out. You can definitely tell WTG and ATG by touch even with light stubble.

 

[Cap'n CutThroat]

FYI - you don't necessarily have to grow it out. You can definitely tell WTG and ATG by touch even with light stubble.

Agreed. It's amazing how easy it is to tell the direction of growth, even with 12hour whiskers!

 

[skacj7]

FYI - you don't necessarily have to grow it out. You can definitely tell WTG and ATG by touch even with light stubble.

Agreed. It's amazing how easy it is to tell the direction of growth, even with 12hour whiskers!

Thanks fellas. Yeah I know it is very easy to tell just by feel with very little hair..I just never took the time to notice lol..that, and I am more of visual learner so growing it out a little more to take a look was more of an eye opener!