Against the grain vs With the grain

[Morthen]

Hey i'm probably going to be shaving pretty soon, I just wanted some advice about going against the grain.

The first time I shaved i went against the grain on the top and with the grain on the back and sides The top come out great and smoothe with no bumps or anything, the back i like hacked it apart though trying to get it smoothe, so should I go against the grain on the back? I heard you can get ingrown hairs by doing that  

So i was wondering when i shave should i go with the grain all around then shave again against the grain? would that lower the risk of ingrown hairs?

Thanks in advance for the advice

Edit: pretty set on doing it this thursday at the earliest.

[omegapd]

I normally shave WTG and then ATG. Personally, I get ingrowns a lot when going ATG in the back- so skipped that part. A lot of the problems associated there has to do with using too much pressure on the razor. Give it a shot for a couple of days and see- just remember to use a light touch.

 Everybody's hair is different. You may have no problems or you may look like a lot of the pictures here when you're done. It's all trial and error.

[Mikekoz13]

First with, then against.......... the entire head. That will give the smoothest shave.......

[aarrggh]

Hey i'm probably going to be shaving pretty soon, I just wanted some advice about going against the grain.

The first time I shaved i went against the grain on the top and with the grain on the back and sides The top come out great and smoothe with no bumps or anything, the back i like hacked it apart though trying to get it smoothe, so should I go against the grain on the back? I heard you can get ingrown hairs by doing that  

So i was wondering when i shave should i go with the grain all around then shave again against the grain? would that lower the risk of ingrown hairs?

Thanks in advance for the advice

Edit: pretty set on doing it this thursday at the earliest.

 

                                              
                    

[Morthen]

so the consensus is shave with the grain first, rinse, then shave again against the grain. Do this for a while and see whether or not it has any adverse effects?

sounds good thanks fellas. I'll get a pic up of my shaved head when i do it

[pdxtodd]

I shave WTG and then ATG.   Like others I don't put a lot of pressure when I do ATG.   I've had a couple of instances of ingrown hairs -- every time it was because I was trying to stretch the blade life beyond what I should.   WTG only isn't smooth enough for me.

[Gambrinus]

I think your going to have to just find your groove.  I just go front to back and then back to front.  So technically,  I go against the grain in the front and with the grain in the back on my first pass.  And then I go against the grain in the back and with the grain in the front on the second pass.    Ok even I'm confused after that one.

[Arnie]

Practice makes perfect...like most I always go with the grain first then finish off with going against the grain...

[Xanwolf1337]

I'm the same as the others, WTG then ATG, then ATG when finding the odd little patches i missed.

If you go ATG to start you'll end up with...alot of cuts, well i do anyway

[The Noggin]

I go exclusively against the grain.

[Rob]

I mix it up.  Mostly against the grain: I go all directions in turn, to get it really smooth.

[Sean25]

I do nothing but shave against the grain and haven't had more than 1 occasion where I have broken out or had in-grown hairs.  I have one shaved with the grain once and that was the first time I shaved.  Everyone is different though and I do hear that if you shave with the grain first you get a longer smooth feeling

[MikeInPdx]

I go against the grain all the time now, but couldn't do it when I first started. Your technique improves with time and blades (and shaving products) have gotten better.

The only time I ever got ingrowns was with a Norelco Rotary electric razor.....still have a could of scars on the back of my head from those and that was 9 years ago.

[Magoo]

If your new at shaving I suggest go wtg only see how that works out. After a few shaves if every thing works out then and only then try atg. Doing to much at first causes the problems many new shavers have. IMHO.

[Morthen]

i did all with the grain for my 1st shave it was okay. I did against the grain today for my 2nd shave and i like it MUUUCH more, sooo smoothe and it feels great.