Question about BBS-

[anthogia]

I'm no expert but have been at it quite awhile. You'll know when your blade is no longer shave ready- the shaves will pull and tug and you won't be able to achieve BBS comfortably at all- not just in some places. As far as BBS goes, some areas are just so difficult that you'll never achieve them. I wonder often on some areas if it's not the stretching of the skin that is popping the hairs back up into feel. I know that when I touch up- and I admittedly cheat with a DE for touch up- that there is one area under my right chin that will NEVER get BBS no matter what I do- even using a feather blade and I'm pretty confident with my technique now. However, when I release the skin I no longer feel the hairs which leads me t believe that stretching brings (obviously) the hair follicles up higher. I wouldn't drive yourself crazy with areas like that. I did and still do sometimes and only wind up with irritation, and razor burn. If you're getting BBS on most areas thats a plus in my book and a success!
Hope that helps in some small way-
Tony

[Headcrowny]

I'm no expert but have been at it quite awhile. You'll know when your blade is no longer shave ready- the shaves will pull and tug and you won't be able to achieve BBS comfortably at all- not just in some places. As far as BBS goes, some areas are just so difficult that you'll never achieve them. I wonder often on some areas if it's not the stretching of the skin that is popping the hairs back up into feel. I know that when I touch up- and I admittedly cheat with a DE for touch up- that there is one area under my right chin that will NEVER get BBS no matter what I do- even using a feather blade and I'm pretty confident with my technique now. However, when I release the skin I no longer feel the hairs which leads me t believe that stretching brings (obviously) the hair follicles up higher. I wouldn't drive yourself crazy with areas like that. I did and still do sometimes and only wind up with irritation, and razor burn. If you're getting BBS on most areas thats a plus in my book and a success!
Hope that helps in some small way-
Tony

Actually, I've had the opposite experience. When I stretch the skin I can't feel the bristles but when the skin is relaxed I can (running my finger ATG). Which would mean, of course, that even though I cut all the hair when the skin is pulled, I'll lose that BBS when I stop pulling. For that reason I try to have the skin relatively relaxed during the 3rd pass.

[OCDshaver]

Actually, I've had the opposite experience. When I stretch the skin I can't feel the bristles but when the skin is relaxed I can (running my finger ATG). Which would mean, of course, that even though I cut all the hair when the skin is pulled, I'll lose that BBS when I stop pulling. For that reason I try to have the skin relatively relaxed during the 3rd pass.

If you're pulling the skin in the direction that the hair grows, it'll cause the hair to lay more flat. You probably already knew that but in case it wasn't apparent, its a tip that might help. I always strive for BBS. When I made the switch from a DE to a SR, I figured if I can't do as good or better of a job with the SR there's no point in making the switch. Its one of the things that I took with me in the switch. Its seems as though most DE shavers are after the perfect shave and go through the trouble to figure out the best combinations in order to get there. The SR community seems less into obtaining that perfect shave and more into the hardware. If you're having a good time with it, there's nothing wrong with either perspective. It took me a while to figure out how to achieve that BBS shave every time but tackling every problem area one at a time finally paid dividends. But a good edge is essential.

[thebigspendur]

If I want a total BBS shave I pull out the old antique electric shaver and the electric pre shave and in 10 minutes I have the smoothest BBS all over my face and neck the world has ever seen. Unfortunately, 4 hours later I need to shave again.

I stopped worrying about BBS a long time ago. Usually after I'm done with a straight 90% is BBS and the 10% that isn't ain't nothing.