Thread: Change in direction

I've been doing two passes each morning, the first WTG, downwards on each sideburn, then downwards on the cheeks and downwards on the neck/throat area.

It was the 2d pass that was giving me a problem. I'd start upwards on neck to the jawline, and that was okay. But then I was trying to go XTG from the ears inward to the mouth, and I kept cutting my cheek (esp. when our cat jumped up on the sink from out of nowhere, but then he always appears out of nowhere).

I think this was because I had the edge higher up on the face, near the cheekbones, though I have only a few whiskers that grow that high (undoubtedly an atavistic trait inherited from Paleozoic ancestors with eye stalks, like lobsters).

So I changed the second pass to do all up, ATG on each cheek, ATG, and then do the in-from-the sides deal toward my mouth. This appears to have reduced the nicks, and the shave is smooth on the face. My neck still feels a bit bristly if I rub it real close, but I've decided there's nothing to be done. I must have neck whiskers that grow in all directions.

I thought one was supposed to do WTG, XTG then ATG, so I guess my point is I'm skipping the middle part and going straight against the grain. But it seems to work. Would be interested in others' experiences. Thanks!

If it's a two passer then WTG and ATG, if I have gone a few (more than 2) days without shaving then all the passes, but my XTG on my cheeks I go from mouth to ear, I have a goatee and mustache so it helps trip the edges as well. I have and never will go XTG on my neck, just two ATG with 3 passers and 1 with a two pass shave. Like you I always have stubble I can feel very close to the skin, but you can't see; if I go BBS on my neck I get razor burn no matter what; so I just let it be.

For me a shave consists of three parts. First a complete WTG. Next relathering followed by a slow and careful ATG. Except for the area right under my nose. That part is done with XTG.

Originally Posted by Thirdman47

...But it seems to work. Would be interested in others' experiences. Thanks!

This is all that matters! We each have our own routine and have established them by experimenting with different ways. Here lately, for the most part, I have been doing two north to south passes followed with a south to north pass. It might be different next week...

After about three years, I've got my face mapped out so that I can take care of most of it in WTG passes. These passes go in a number of directions, though, to follow the grain. Some of the passes are quite short, and some are pretty narrow. It's hard to describe without making a video.

If I do an ear-toward-mouth pass, that's ATG. Dangerous pass for cuts, especially on the cheeks because they're hard to stretch really well. I'll puff out the shaving side for the stretch, but even so it feels dicey. I'm usually happy enough with one WTG pass, or maybe a second XTG, which is in an easy direction to move the razor. Coming in from the ears toward the mouth still feels pretty odd. With more practice it'll get steadier.

I also have a few barbs very close to my eyes, and have to go in with the tip occasionally to nick them out. Gives me heebiejeebies. Damn lobsters!

There's no rule written or unwritten that says you have to do a 3 pass shave. If it works for you and you're satisfied with it then that what counts. I usually do a 3 pass shave but on those days when I don't have the time or energy then I do the same as you..WTG & ATG

forgive my ignorance but what does all the above mean
3 stage pass xtg ect

Sorry, ATG = against the grain, WTG = with the grain, XTG = across the grain.

One pass is just that, one pass of the razor over any part. A second pass can be in the same direction as the first one, or at some angle to it. The first pass, which for many of us is the only pass, is most often WTG.

There are more definitions in our wiki, and also a glossary of acronyms.

Thanks for the observations & comments. I always learn something from the list. I haven't tried going from mouth to ear on the 2d pass, but maybe I will.

Originally Posted by Thirdman47

It was the 2d pass that was giving me a problem. I'd start upwards on neck to the jawline, and that was okay. But then I was trying to go XTG from the ears inward to the mouth, and I kept cutting my cheek (esp. when our cat jumped up on the sink from out of nowhere, but then he always appears out of nowhere).

I think this was because I had the edge higher up on the face, near the cheekbones, though I have only a few whiskers that grow that high (undoubtedly an atavistic trait inherited from Paleozoic ancestors with eye stalks, like lobsters).

So I changed the second pass to do all up, ATG on each cheek, ATG, and then do the in-from-the sides deal toward my mouth. This appears to have reduced the nicks, and the shave is smooth on the face. My neck still feels a bit bristly if I rub it real close, but I've decided there's nothing to be done. I must have neck whiskers that grow in all directions.

I thought one was supposed to do WTG, XTG then ATG, so I guess my point is I'm skipping the middle part and going straight against the grain. But it seems to work. Would be interested in others' experiences. Thanks!

Not every person can cope with an ATG pass. My face is really prone to ingrown hairs - they grow in all sorts of directions and are curly like a helter-skelter. Even an XTG pass is likely to result in spots on my face by the evening.

So my solution is to do one WTG pass overall. I don't shave every day, but on days where I have more than 3 days growth, I'll do a second WTG pass. I should add that my whiskers are very coarse and can easily be mistaken for having a beard after a mere 10 day growth. All my blades are ultra-sharp as well.

Don't feel like you have to do an XTG and ATG pass each time. Trial and error will help you decide what's best for you.