Need some advice on ATG pass

[sirleanalot]

I started DE shaving about 3 months back. I mostly use a three piece Gillette type razor, but sometimes switch to a Feather Popular. The three piece has good heft and balance and I have started getting pretty decent shaves with it. With the Feather being such a mild razor, I still have not got the technique perfect and have only ever managed a DFS once. But still it is mild and I go to it every once in a while.

My question is: I just cannot manage a smooth pass on the ATG. The WTG and two XTGs are perfect and smooth. But on the ATG, there is always tugging or catching - and this happens with brand new blades or after a few uses. I've tried feather blades and gillette 7 'o clock blades. Same issue with both. I do end up with more than decent shaves but the jerky ATG pass means there is always an odd nick or some soreness or irritation.

Any advice?

 

[mblakele]

That could be blade angle: if the angle is too high, the blade grabs the top of the hair and has more leverage to tug. Or it could be lather, but I'd hope that your beard is well moisturized by the ATG pass.

Keep practicing!

 

[GoldenBacon]

That could be blade angle: if the angle is too high, the blade grabs the top of the hair and has more leverage to tug. Or it could be lather, but I'd hope that your beard is well moisturized by the ATG pass.

Keep practicing!

+1 practice makes perfect!

 

[sirleanalot]

Great thank you I'll try varying the blade angle tonight and see how I do.

That could be blade angle: if the angle is too high, the blade grabs the top of the hair and has more leverage to tug. Or it could be lather, but I'd hope that your beard is well moisturized by the ATG pass.

Keep practicing!

 

[Den]

I get some tugging if I try to do long passes like you see in the Gillette commercials these days. They go from ear to chin in one pass. When I shave ATG, I do very short passes to prevent tugging. Works for me.

 

[dmm26]

I get some tugging if I try to do long passes like you see in the Gillette commercials these days. They go from ear to chin in one pass. When I shave ATG, I do very short passes to prevent tugging. Works for me.

Was watching a makeover show with swmbo one day and some professional groomer said that short strokes is the way to get a perfect shave. And that the long strokes you see on the commercials are just advertising BS!

 

[_MementoMori_]

My XTG and ATG strokes are closer to blade buffing than anything. I do use the long "advertising bs" strokes for my WTG pass though.

 

[sirleanalot]

I think you've hit the nail on the head with that. With my WTG pass I start with short strokes but as my shave progresses my strokes get progressively longer as I start slowly coming out of my 'zen' state! Shorter strokes should hopefully fix the issue.

I get some tugging if I try to do long passes like you see in the Gillette commercials these days. They go from ear to chin in one pass. When I shave ATG, I do very short passes to prevent tugging. Works for me.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Ask yourself if ATG is really necessary - I used to suffer through 4-pass shaves, but one day tried leaving it at WTG/XTG/XTG and realized I had a 95% BBS already and quit right there.

 

[Speedwell68]

Ask yourself if ATG is really necessary - I used to suffer through 4-pass shaves, but one day tried leaving it at WTG/XTG/XTG and realized I had a 95% BBS already and quit right there.

I have had just the same epiphany with my shave. I do WTG/XTG and then a sort of diagonal slide and other than that patch on my neck that I can never get BBS I am getting a satisfactory 3 pass shave and next to no irritation. I'd rather get a CCS that an irritated BBS one.

 

[ducatisteve]

I actually just posted a thread about how some changes of technique helped my shave out (especially regarding ATG around my upper lip and the center of my neck). The biggest difference for me was how I applied the lather. Today I really soaked my face and paint brushed the lather over the water instead of massaging it in. It made for a dramatically slick shave, but you just have to be more careful with maintaining light pressure as that layer of water cut down on the cushioning of the lather.

 

[flabajaba2213]

Ask yourself if ATG is really necessary - I used to suffer through 4-pass shaves, but one day tried leaving it at WTG/XTG/XTG and realized I had a 95% BBS already and quit right there.

Same. Also, are you pulling the skin tight a bit? I found this helps.

 

[shmeegs]

Dont do it if you feel tugging or pulling. It won't matter how much you lather or how good it is. If you feel either, STOP. Angles and all that are just bull**** when you deal with ATG. I can't do ATG and don't even try.

 

[Sir Ronald]

blade choice is important too. there's no way I would ever attempt a ATG pass with a Feather blade. Astra's & Treet's are great for shaving ATG. as previously said above, short strokes more akin to blade buffing do the trick.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I find ATG pretty easy when I keep the pressure off. YMMV, but I had a difficult time not applying pressure ATG. WTG is easy since it's all downhill, but going the other way, I was using pressure. It took awhile to unlearn that bad habit, but it really improved my shaves. I can get BBS with a Feather and no irritation. So check yourself and make sure you're not unintentionally applying pressure ATG.

 

[Cubits]

blade choice is important too. there's no way I would ever attempt a ATG pass with a Feather blade. Astra's & Treet's are great for shaving ATG. as previously said above, short strokes more akin to blade buffing do the trick.

Why would a feather be worse for ATG? Isn't it sharper, so less likely to tug if you get the angle right?

I'm doing fine ATG with walmart personnas, but i don't feel tugging with any of the DE blades i've tried for the first 3 shaves.

I have felt terrible tugging ATG with the mach 3's after only a few shaves (and they don't get that close anyway!), so i don't think i'm immune to it. I'm incredibly impressed with the ease and quality of shave i've gotten from DE, i can't believe i wasted so much time and money with the new-style systems!

 

[WilliamIam]

blade choice is important too. there's no way I would ever attempt a ATG pass with a Feather blade. Astra's & Treet's are great for shaving ATG. as previously said above, short strokes more akin to blade buffing do the trick.

I use Feathers exclusively now - and ATG is easiest for me with the feather. It's the sharpest, and its sharpness makes the entire shave easier. It cuts more off the hairs on my previous passes. I think that it all depends on how tough your beard is. I shave with my straight razor, so I don't switch DE blades around much.

Dont do it if you feel tugging or pulling. It won't matter how much you lather or how good it is. If you feel either, STOP. Angles and all that are just bull**** when you deal with ATG. I can't do ATG and don't even try.

I disagree. No need to discourage someone else from trying it, or to contribute to a lot of hype about ATG being hideous. If not for ATG shaves, I would never even get a DFS with a DE.


I think that if you are encountering tugging, you might try lowering your angle (your blade and face are closed to parallel to each other) on your ATG pass, or raising it on your previous passes.
A higher angle on your earlier passes will put more pressure on your face and the hairs, and on your ATG pass, it will put less pressure on your face, and aim the blade into the hair shafts rather than your face.
If you think about it, your hair is going to stick out and make an angle like a V with your face. On the ATG run, the razor has to "pick" between digging into your skin, or into the hairs. If you aim it more into the hairs, it will leave more behind, but will dig into your skin less.


I think you will be better able to shave ATG if you improve your first passes, or try a more aggressive angle. Mild razors are like Low-Tar cigarettes. You need more of the same thing to reach the same goal.

 

[Klarion]

Ask yourself if ATG is really necessary - I used to suffer through 4-pass shaves, but one day tried leaving it at WTG/XTG/XTG and realized I had a 95% BBS already and quit right there.

It was like Opposite Day on my end. I shave almost every day and like having a very smooth face. Upon evaluating my technique and shaving efficiency, I determined WTG passes were completely unnecessary for myself provided my blades are sharp (DE or straight). I've kept my strokes very short, almost like blade buffing, when going ATG.

 

[filedog]

I need ATG for a close shave. I do WTG, & XTG the grain passes, then "milk" my brush, and apply some lather with my hand, a little at a time, on the "trouble" areas, doing mostly ATG in very short strokes. As long as I "quit while I'm ahead".....ie, don't try to get SUPER close, it works great.

 

[ackvil]

I need ATG for a close shave. I do WTG, & XTG the grain passes, then "milk" my brush, and apply some lather with my hand, a little at a time, on the "trouble" areas, doing mostly ATG in very short strokes. As long as I "quit while I'm ahead".....ie, don't try to get SUPER close, it works great.

+1. It works for me.