Against the grain before with-

[nicbvd]

Lately I had much smoother and lasting shaves going first against the grain, then with the grain. I mean, the stubble seems to grow after more hours.
Maybe a case?

[ORTO]

I always hear people say they go with the grain twice, or with and then against. Never heard against and then with.

Personally, if I go with, my head feels virtually the same as it did before I started. I start off against the grain up top, across the grain in both directions on the sides, then against the grain (upwards) on the sides. I usually do the back against from the beginning, going diagonally in both directions.

Stubble is kind of interesting though. I shaved yesterday in the afternoon. I was perfectly smooth all evening, all night, and this morning when I woke up, I had a few little patches of stubble. What's weird is that from those few patches, my head is now completely stubbly after being awake for only an hour.

It's a never-ending battle!

[texanron]

I never shave against the grain.

[digitalsynner85]

I always go against the grain for the top and the back, and for the sides, I have to do it multiple times. First i go against the grain from the back of my head towards the side of my face, and after that I go from the side of my ears up and over, and then, I start at the back of my head and come up at a diagonal  angle to catch the patches that I missed. Usually if I'm having an issue with stubble growing back quick in the back of my head, I will sometimes start at the middle where the dip in your neck is and find the lowest point hair is growing, and I will go against the grain towards my right ear and then again, against the grain towards my left ear, essentially just extending what is being done when I shave the side of my head but make it go all the way to the back of my head. I've never tried going against the grain then again with the grain. Hope this helps.

[Daven]

I do crown forward, then crown down to the neck and ears, (with the grain) then against the grain same way, forehead to crown, neck and ears up several times, then I even go ear to ear all over, that covers it for me. I feel if you don't go against the grain, you're always going to have stubble.

[digitalsynner85]

Agreed with Daven. Going against stubble makes the razor lift up the little bit of stubble you currently have so that you get that ultra close shave. If you go with the grain, you're just essentially matting down the stubble and although you may be getting a decent shave, it probably wouldn't be anywheres near as close to going against the grain.

[Laser Man]

Agreed - against the grain gives a really smooth shave.  I go against the grain on top and back.  On the sides I start with the grain, then relather and go against.  I do this because the sides, especially the temples, are more sensitive and the skin stretches more.  I also do diagonally across the grain on top so that it's extra smooth.

I went for a barber shave today and he did everything against the grain for a smooth shave.  Afterwards, he oiled and buffed my dome - I was shining like I've never experienced before!

[digitalsynner85]

Lol, do you know what he used to buff/wax your dome? I was thinking of being a smartass and walking up to the counter at walmart with some turtle wax and be like "yepppp it's time for my weekly waxing" and see what kinda reactions I get lmao.

[Laser Man]

I asked the barber - he used a spray of olive oil then buffs the dome!  I couldn't get over the shine. And according to my wife's grandmother, olive oil is very good for the skin.