Shaving against the grain - seriously?

[j]

In a masochistic attempt to get a closer shave, I thought I'd give shaving against the grain a shot today, just on my cheeks where I figured I'd have the least problems. So I did my usual routine and went up instead of down, and after a few razor strokes I had about 7 holes leaking blood out of my cheek. ?!! They all healed up very quickly, but that was enough to put me off trying it on any of the rest of my face.

Is this just one of those things where some people can and some people will bleed from trying it? Or is there some technique I should know about?

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

In my experience, you should try shaving against the grain only when (1) you have at least two days worth of beard growth, and (2) you first shave with the grain. Even then, you are likely to get some razor burn.

 

[skalogre]

Depends on what equipment you use and you technique, J - plus on whether your body can take it.

I have found that in some very limited situation I can shave under the chin and my neck against the grain BUT I avoid it because I have not yet narrowed downth e ideal circumstances. I know that with my DE I can do it better than my Gilette Sensor but not consistently.
My cheeks are no problems. I can shave in every imaginable direction.

 

[LabelKing]

I always do it with my Merkur safety razor and Feather blades. It poses no probem.

 

[odoreater]

I second the recommendation of shaving against the grain only after you have already shaved with the grain. I basically lather, shave with the grain, lather again, and then shave against the grain.

 

[blackgrass]

Originally Posted by odoreater

I second the recommendation of shaving against the grain only after you have already shaved with the grain. I basically lather, shave with the grain, lather again, and then shave against the grain.

Same way I do it.

 

[j]

Hmm, maybe I'll try that. I am thinking what happened was that the first blade pulled the hair up and the second sliced off the very end of the follicle. So if the hair was mostly gone already, this probably wouldn't happen.

I'm not sure it would be worth it anyway. As an experiment, I shaved upwards on the left cheek yesterday (without incident) and downwards on the other. The left one was slightly smoother even this morning, but they looked similar and the look of stubble is the issue I'm trying to avoid. It makes me look grungy. I think maybe a tan would be a better solution all around.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by blackgrass

Same way I do it.
Same here. But I think what works for people varies widely depending on both skin and beard consistency, etc. If I go with the grain - especially shaving on consecutive days when I just don't seem to get enough growth for the razor to really "grab" on the downstroke - it just doesn't do the job.

 

[Saucemaster]

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

Same here. But I think what works for people varies widely depending on both skin and beard consistency, etc. If I go with the grain - especially shaving on consecutive days when I just don't seem to get enough growth for the razor to really "grab" on the downstroke - it just doesn't do the job.

Same here. I actually need to go against the grain on some areas of my face or I'll have a very faint trace of stubble still.

Of course, I tend to keep a small amount of stubble most of the time anyway, so I suppose it doesn't much matter.

I do occasionally get razor burn if I'm rushing and don't lather a second time, though.

 

[oxide]

Originally Posted by odoreater

I second the recommendation of shaving against the grain only after you have already shaved with the grain. I basically lather, shave with the grain, lather again, and then shave against the grain.

yeah thats how i do it too, i occasionaly get razor burn but its nothing my aftershave balm cant handle.

 

[Thomas]

The few times I shaved against the grain I got ingrown hairs all over my face. I'll gladly take the faint stubble over the smooth today, bumpy next week look.

 

[Dakota rube]

Originally Posted by j

...look of stubble is the issue I'm trying to avoid. It makes me look grungy...
Hey, you're from Seattle: isn't grunge standard issue there? Wasn't grunge invented there?

OT: I finish off every morning shave with a few strokes against the grain otherwise I find traces of stubble.

 

[j]

Ugh. We'd rather forget the whole grunge thing.

Although I got to see Alice in Chains live a couple months ago (new singer, obviously) and they still rock!

 

[whodini]

Originally Posted by odoreater

I second the recommendation of shaving against the grain only after you have already shaved with the grain. I basically lather, shave with the grain, lather again, and then shave against the grain.
+1

 

[javyn]

I second the recommendation of shaving against the grain only after you have already shaved with the grain. I basically lather, shave with the grain, lather again, and then shave against the grain.

Bingo!

Also use as light a touch as possible! If you end up with ingrowns, either switch to a 1 bladed razor or stop going against the grain.

You can also compromise and do a cross-grain pass after your initial with the grain.