ATG angle help

chee16 · 10-02-2008, 07:44 PM

so i thought that against the grain shaving was against the rules until i read up on it in these forums. my biggest question is should i adjust the angle of the blade for when i do my ATG round.
i just recently started using less angle on my WTG and XTG rounds and have had good results. the ATG seems a bit scary to me as i tried it when i first got the razor and shed a little blood over it, but my angle was way off also at that time. so ya, any advice for ATG shavingwould be great thanks.

hoglahoo · 10-02-2008, 08:01 PM

Be steady, firm, light, and very careful. If it hurts then pull back and readjust.

I like to make sure I've thoroughly rubbed in the lather, and I also like to use the angled stroke against the grain. And like you mentioned, I keep my blade very flat against my skin against the grain. Everyone's hair is different though, as is equipment. Maybe not everyone can shave against the grain with the tools they have and maybe that's why you have heard that it is against "the rules"

Here are my rules:

1. Experiment

2. Don't kill yourself

JMS · 10-02-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Be steady, firm, light, and very careful. If it hurts then pull back and readjust.

Here are my rules:

1. Experiment

2. Don't kill yourself

Plus 1 on this!

Oh, and if you do manage to kill yourself, be considerate of those that have to clean up the mess...you know...blood and all!

Ditch Doc · 10-02-2008, 11:21 PM

my angle is also very flat, and I use light short strokes.

kubrick · 10-03-2008, 02:30 AM

Here's a video from mantic's youtube channel that shows a guy straight shaving atg. More of a S->N pass than strictly atg(at least for my whisker growth), but it gives you a good idea of angle and pressure

YouTube - Straight Razor Information Resources

chee16 · 10-03-2008, 03:05 AM

that was a really good indicator (for me anyways) of the correct pressure and angle. i think i have been pushing too hard and at the wrong angle. i may have messed up my razor with improper strop when i first got it. luckily i know better now but i can't wait to get my other razor back (it is being honed by floppyshoes) to compare shaves with it and the one i have been using. that does help me a lot . thank you.

xman · 10-03-2008, 07:07 PM

Many of my whiskers grow almost flat against my skin so I find that a very small angle works best ATG. YMMV

X

Brad · 10-05-2008, 03:37 PM

I hold the razor strictly by the handle and tang when going against the grain, kind of like you would for a Japanese razor. This allows me to keep a very flat angle, but have more control. Not sure if I am explaining this right, but it works for me.