With the grain or against the grain?

[zetaeffe]

Hey guys just wondering who shaves with the grain and who shaves against. For the first time I shaved against the grain this morning and it feels so smooth its unbelievable.

Against the grain is the only way, you don't get it smooth otherwise.

[xnewyawka]

I go with on top and back, and then I go with and then against on the sides.
I get close enough on top and back, and I don't want to worry about ingrown hairs.

[skinhead002]

Against the grain.  I take my free hand and stretch my scalp tight and go against the grain with my Schick FX extreme.  My head is as slick as a greased bowling ball!
Regars
Skinhead

[SLYinKC]

For me it's against the grain all the way.  Going with the grain is just like not shaving.  Doesn't get it close enough.  There are those spots, like on the crown of my head, where you gotta go in all different directions just to try to get it smooth.

[Tyler]

Both. With the grain first to reduce the stubble so the against the grain pass doesn't hurt. 

Gene.

Same here!

[JDog]

There are those spots, like on the crown of my head, where you gotta go in all different directions just to try to get it smooth.

The hated crown region This single area takes more time to shave then the rest of my entire head due to the weird angles you need to do to get it smooth.

I am always AGAINST the grain. The smoothest shave can only be had by doing it this way.

[BALDANDRE]

For me with the grain is so sub par..

against gets it super smooth and super bald...

and that's the point , right?

[Razor X]

There are those spots, like on the crown of my head, where you gotta go in all different directions just to try to get it smooth.

The hated crown region This single area takes more time to shave then the rest of my entire head due to the weird angles you need to do to get it smooth.

I am always AGAINST the grain. The smoothest shave can only be had by doing it this way.

Another problem area for me -- how do I describe this?  The top of your head is a clock, with 12 o'clock being the back.   10 o'clock and 2 o'clock are really hard for me to get smooth for some reason.  Is that  the case with anyone else?

[Cam]

Against all the way. When I shave with the grain, I feel as if I haven't shaved at all. 

[Scott]

There are those spots, like on the crown of my head, where you gotta go in all different directions just to try to get it smooth.

The hated crown region This single area takes more time to shave then the rest of my entire head due to the weird angles you need to do to get it smooth.

I am always AGAINST the grain. The smoothest shave can only be had by doing it this way.

Another problem area for me -- how do I describe this?  The top of your head is a clock, with 12 o'clock being the back.   10 o'clock and 2 o'clock are really hard for me to get smooth for some reason.  Is that  the case with anyone else?

Yep, same for me too Razor X!  I tend to shave those areas with, against, side-to-side, whatever it takes!

[Paul]

There are those spots, like on the crown of my head, where you gotta go in all different directions just to try to get it smooth.

The hated crown region This single area takes more time to shave then the rest of my entire head due to the weird angles you need to do to get it smooth.

I am always AGAINST the grain. The smoothest shave can only be had by doing it this way.

Another problem area for me -- how do I describe this?  The top of your head is a clock, with 12 o'clock being the back.   10 o'clock and 2 o'clock are really hard for me to get smooth for some reason.  Is that  the case with anyone else?

Yep, same for me too Razor X!  I tend to shave those areas with, against, side-to-side, whatever it takes!

Same here Razor.  Found I have to go front to back at an angle and then back to front at an angle to get those two areas properly smooth. 

[shakf]

I spent about 40mins this morning going against the grain just to get the smooth feel. I got about 98% correct but one or two spots I couldn't get right. It will come with practice I suppose.

[Tyler]

I'll quote a song by Garth Brooks to answer this one...

Well, I have been accused
Of makin' my own rules
There must be rebel blood
Just a-runnin' through my veins
But I ain't no hypocrite
What you see is what you get
And that's the only way I know
To play the game
Old Noah took much ridicule
For building his great ark
But after forty days and forty nights
He was lookin' pretty smart
Sometimes it's best to brave the wind and rain
By havin' strength to go against the grain

[ShavinMaven]

Always WITH the grain.  Take a look at the shaving demonstrations on Bump Patrol's site.  There's one specifically on shaving your head and it's really helpful:  www.bumppatrol.com

[shakf]

I think it's up to the individual. Each expert has his own opinion.