Sounds like you have a beard similar to mine. I have a great deal of trouble getting a WTG pass on my neck and have to play contortionist to do it, I have however figured that I can get by with a kind of diagonal stroke to nearly get a WTG.
I would certainly save the up stroke or against the grain as a last pass. It is the most aggressive and most likely to cause irritation.
It certainly is a good idea to try WTG for a few days just to get comfortable. You will know whether it is appropriate to try a different direction by how comfortable the first pass is.
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Nick
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