Shaving against the grain

[seventyfour]

Sorry if there already is a thread on this, but I couldn't find any (and I did use the search thingo). Anyway, I had been toying with the idea of shaving my head against the grain for a while, because I never got the desired smoothness by shaving with the grain.
I woke up today, turned on the telly and intended to watch the cricket, but since there was a delay I thought "Oh, might as well go shave". I first shaved with the grain like always, but then I reapplied shaving foam to the top my head and started going against the grain, with somewhat long strokes but being very careful.
Result: I FARKEN LOVE IT!! It's unbelievably smooth, and I know that it'll be a bit longer until the feeling goes away and I have to shave again. I did notice a bit more irritation but overall it went quite all right. I would have done the back of my head too but since I really can't see much back there I thought I'd end up cutting myself heaps.
I really can't stop feeling the top of my head, it's just awesome. It's the smoothest shave ever. I was wondering if you lads do it with or against the grain, and if you shave against it, if you've got any techniques on how to do it without razor bumps and nicking yourself.
Oh, unrelated I know but also, since it's winter over here -which makes your skin drier - I notice a decent amount of flaking. Is there anything you can do about it? I've applied a bit of Nivea cream and whenever I notice it I just wash my head and it goes away for a while.
Anyway, let's share our experiences!

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum 7-4! Try the Nivea Extreme After Shave Balm. Great stuff and just a little dab will do ya'.

Welcome to the Forum..... and yes, against the grain is the only way to get that perfect shave.

[Paul]

Yeah seventyfour, going against the grain is the only way to get a really smooth and longer lasting shave.  To help with the irritation and dryness, try using a really cold water rinse after shaving and applying an aloe vera gel.  This will also give a great shine if that is what you are after.

[DogStar Guy]

Having "softer" hair I have to shave against the grain. 
With the grain is just plain ineffective. 

Same with my neck and beard.

[Antimidas]

I only shave against the grain.  Shaving with it is a waste and just doubles the amount of time it takes to do a thorough job.

It is hard to hold a mirror in one hand and shave with the other.  But after years of shaving my beard in the shower without a mirror, I figured I can use the braille method and go by touch.  Since I am shaving my head every day (sometimes twice) I can't really see the tiny hairs anyway.  Especially without my glasses.  But I CAN feel them.

The main thing is to let the razor do the work.  You should be familiar with the amount of pressure to apply when shaving other areas.  I let the razor do the work and let it glide over my scalp in long strokes from the base of my neck to the crown.  The shaving gel seems to work best because it gets a smoother glide, and you can feel the stubble better. 

Once I think I am through, I use both hands while wet to run over my head in all directions to see if I got everything.  If I find a rough spot, I put a little bit of gel in the area and go over it in the same direction that I was able to feel the stubble.  If you can't feel the rough spots, you might be able to hear them if the water is not running.  I find that I can hear tonal differences rather well when rubbing my scalp.

Hope this helps!

[tomgallagher]

Welcome

[Antimidas]

Seventyfour - To take care of the flaking problem, make sure you moisturize regularly.  Like the old commercial says, a little dab will do ya.  If it feels dry, rub a bit more in.  Nivea makes a good aftershave lotion with no alcohol and an SPF15.  Headlube is good and comes in either matte or glossy (no SPF).  There are a variety of others that should help take care of the flaking problem.

[SBG Math Guy]

welcome seventyfour,

One way to eliminate irritation when going against the grain is to use Headslick.  I found
it's awesome for such purpose.
As for dealing with dry skin, use Bald Guyz Moisture Gel. 

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Most definately, I think I first read about this here, RazorX, Mikekoz, and maybe someone else about a "2d" shave and I've been a devoted practicioner since.  I use Nivea Extreme Comfort and never a flakey problem at all. 

[seventyfour]

Thanks for the warm welcome lads! 
Some brilliant tips here by the way! I shaved my entire head against the grain today and it went perfectly, it's so smooth! The back of my head was actually easier than I thought it would be, Antimidas you're absolutely spot on mate, if you let the razor do its job it works out a treat! I did miss a few spots at first, but it is true that you can hear the stubble when you run your hand over your head. I did rinse with cold water afterwards and applied a gel with some aloe and I think it was Vitamin E?
Sadly I tried the local Pharmacity and I couldn't find any of the products you mentioned, and the supermarkets here tend to have a very limited choice when it comes to shaving products, but since today's shave went all right, I think that it's not too bad this way. Obviously I'll still keep an eye out for them.
As for the flaking, it's not as bad as before, I think it's because I didn't dry my scalp properly after shaving the last few times, and I did today.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Where is "here" 74?

[GaryT]

Welcome to the gang seventyfour! I shave only against the grain! It's the only way to get a really close shave! Check out YouTube for Uber Lather.....it's the only way I will shave now. Sooooo much better than any other way. Yes even HeadSlick!

[Rob]

I have always shaved against the grain, even on my very first head shave three years ago.  Its the best way to get the closest shave, as you've found out.  

After the shave I always wash my head with soap and water, then apply Gillette 'after the shave' cooling gel, which works a treat.  I have very sensitive skin, but it's been a lot better since using this menthol gel.

[Kratos]

Against the grain is the way to go. Shaving with the grain does absolutely nothing, not one ounce of stubble is removed.

[shaved]

I do shave against the grain as i find it gets a smoother shave, But i use a oil as a base baby oil or olive oil , So i wet head with hot water then apply the oil and then the shave cream and the razor slides nicely and i find i get less nicks and cuts this way,
Then after i shave i get under the hot shower and run the razor over again and that gets a very smooth shave every time.
Pull the skin tight with other hand as you shave also helps stop cuts etc.