Shaving Against The Grain

[BC007]

Hello my fellow wet shavers! I'm a long time wet shaver, and I'm looking for some thoughts and opinions, and maybe some affirmation about shaving against the grain. I wouldn't go anywhere else except for those in the badger and blade community.

I enjoy shaving to get a BBS shave because I hate stubble. My beard is pretty coarse, but when I shave with the grain and then across the grain I don't get anywhere near that silky smooth feel. How many others experience this? It may sound strange but I feel like I failed if I don't shave "up." When I don't, my face is very smooth when I rub from the top down. I hope this makes sense in some way. My final question for your thoughts is this: Can shaving against the grain take its toll on the skin over time? I talk to some guys and they will never shave against the grain and are totally good with it.

Thanks for reading!

Brian

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[bleddy]

I shave ATG every shave and have been doing so for years, even when I used cartridges. I don't think it has s negative effect on skin - not for me anyway.


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[Graybeard57]

I shave ATG every shave and have been doing so for years, even when I used cartridges. I don't think it has s negative effect on skin - not for me anyway.

Same here.

 

[Greyfox]

Well I have been shaving ATG for over 50 years. Those 50 years have had a toll on my skin but ATG shaving has not. Quit worrying about it. It's gonna happen whether you want it to or not.

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

I have been at this for 41 years now and Shaving ATG is essential. I usually go for DFS which is obtained in two passes: WTG followed by ATG. There isn't enough need for BBS, which I can get in three passes if I toss in an XTG pass between the WTG and ATG....

But, if I go WTG and XTG for two passes, I won't get DFS, just CCS. And, one pass WTG is barely SAS. So, it is two passes WTG and ATG every day.

Stan

 

[8thWVInfantry]

Even with my sensitive, rosacea-riddled face, I shave against the grain. It doesn't irritate my face as long as my blade is sharp and I use plenty of lather. To me a shave just isn't complete without an ATG pass.

 

[rhelfand]

I used to get some irritation going ATG, but it was my own fault. It took me embarrassingly long to realize that my WTG pass was actually more XTG and I was trying to do too much at once.

TL;DR - Against is fine!

 

[DCRIII]

I've shaved ATG my entire 21 or 22, it's hard to rember how long some days, years of shaving. No wear for the worst on my face or neck. I do WTG first, then ATG, and finally XTG on my neck only.

 

[dmatcuk]

I usually do not do against the grain. I will on my neck under my chin for a little extra there. On occasion if I have some extra time, I will throw in the against the grain pass. Typically I just go with and across. It gets me BBS in some areas and pretty darn close in the others. For me, the more passes I do, the higher my chance of getting irritation or burn. I am happy with the results that I get from just 2 passes. I look at it like this, a comfortable, presentable shave is the top priority. BBS is just an added bonus. I use straights, but I was the same with my DE. I did against the grain a little more often with DE though, because it is much faster and easier.

 

[Ad Astra]

A great feel, but sometimes risky in terms of weepers. Can also lead to ingrown hairs.

YMMV, of course.


AA

 

[BigJ]

I shave ATG daily on my third pass. My skin has never been better!

 

[ackvil]

Another ATG shaver who has been doing this for over 50 years. Plus, my skin looks good - even though I am not a youngster.

 

[cvargo]

Hi,

I have been at this for 41 years now and Shaving ATG is essential. I usually go for DFS which is obtained in two passes: WTG followed by ATG. There isn't enough need for BBS, which I can get in three passes if I toss in an XTG pass between the WTG and ATG....

But, if I go WTG and XTG for two passes, I won't get DFS, just CCS. And, one pass WTG is barely SAS. So, it is two passes WTG and ATG every day.

Stan

This! Exactly what I do.

 

[cryhavoc]

I shave ATG every shave and have been doing so for years, even when I used cartridges. I don't think it has s negative effect on skin - not for me anyway.


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+1

 

[BC007]

Hi,

I have been at this for 41 years now and Shaving ATG is essential. I usually go for DFS which is obtained in two passes: WTG followed by ATG. There isn't enough need for BBS, which I can get in three passes if I toss in an XTG pass between the WTG and ATG....

But, if I go WTG and XTG for two passes, I won't get DFS, just CCS. And, one pass WTG is barely SAS. So, it is two passes WTG and ATG every day.

Stan

Thanks Stan. I usually do WTG and then ATG (two passes only). Then I will pull the lather from the brush with my hand and spot clean those trouble areas, feeling with my hand as I apply the lather. Most of the time my face feels great afterwards, but there are times when my skin feels...sore. I think those times come from me applying too much pressure on the razor.

Thanks for the input!

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[BC007]

Well I have been shaving ATG for over 50 years. Those 50 years have had a toll on my skin but ATG shaving has not. Quit worrying about it. It's gonna happen whether you want it to or not.

Haha! Thanks! You're absolutely right.

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[BSAGuy]

Same here.

I shave ATG every shave and have been doing so for years, even when I used cartridges. I don't think it has s negative effect on skin - not for me anyway.


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[Surgeon]

It creates some ingrowns in a few key-spots where my hair grows very parallell to my face so I avoid it. There's nothing wrong with doing it if it works good for you though.

 

[santamariasteve]

The traditional 3 way pass is necessary for most guys to get the smoothest shaves. I've shaved the last pass ATG since I started shaving daily in 1951. Zero problems.

 

[dotKomo]

I shave ATG every shave with no problems. Preparation, technique and good post shave (I use witch hazel and a good AS balm) should keep your skin tip top.

In my opinion, age and the elements take a bigger toll that shaving on your skin.