Against the grain vs With the grain - page 1 -

• Against the grain vs With the grain by Morthen on 09 May, 2010 23:09
• 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.
• #1 by omegapd on 10 May, 2010 11:55
• 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.
• #2 by Mikekoz13 on 10 May, 2010 12:06
• First with, then against.......... the entire head. That will give the smoothest shave.......
• #3 by aarrggh on 10 May, 2010 15:06
• Quote from: Morthen on 09 May, 2010 23:09

  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.
  

   
  
                                                
                      
• #4 by Morthen on 10 May, 2010 15:49
• 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
• #5 by pdxtodd on 10 May, 2010 18:10
• 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.
• #6 by Gambrinus on 10 May, 2010 19:57
• 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.
• #7 by Arnie on 11 May, 2010 11:08
• Practice makes perfect...like most I always go with the grain first then finish off with going against the grain...
• #8 by Xanwolf1337 on 11 May, 2010 15:16
• 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
• #9 by The Noggin on 11 May, 2010 15:51
• I go exclusively against the grain.
• #10 by Rob on 11 May, 2010 17:45
• I mix it up.  Mostly against the grain: I go all directions in turn, to get it really smooth.
• #11 by Sean25 on 11 May, 2010 19:36
• 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
• #12 by MikeInPdx on 13 May, 2010 11:04
• 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.
• #13 by Magoo on 13 May, 2010 11:28
• 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.
• #14 by Morthen on 17 May, 2010 15:07
• 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.