Thread: Long learning curve

I had a little time today so I decided I was gonna try for a bbs shave. Ive got very thick hair so i never seem to get all of it. Did a long prep, let the brush soak while in the shower, threw some pre-shave oil on, and lathered up. Went all out (in my eyes) wtg, then xtg, then atg, that third pass was a big mistake. I got the worst razor burn of my life and knicks everywhere. I think for the time being ill stick with the two passes and call it a day.

How much hair do you have after going WTG?

I find that it's only on rare occasions that ATG, or even XTG, are needed. Are you stretching your skin a lot with the first pass?

Not enough to ever warrant that fiasco again lol

Proper technique with a shave-ready SR should not produce a razor burn. Still, my suggestion to you is to postpone ATG until you feel comfortable using a SR. I tried ATG only after about 3-4 months of SR shaving. If you are not sure about having a properly honed blade, trying ATG is a recipe for disaster.

I second that. It's very easy to apply too much pressure when you just start out. If it makes it easier, imagine you're just wiping the lather off your face. It took me over a year to develop such a light touch that my skin barely registers the blade, and I'm yet learning to keep that touch during the entire shave. And then there's angle and stropping technique and whatnot adding variables to the mix.

Good luck!

I also agree that it is a good idea to postpone multiple passes until you get a little better technique and the razor begins to feel more like an extremity in your hand. Be sure to spend time learning the grain direction of your facial hair. This was one thing I didn't pay enough attention to in the beginning, and my shaves showed for it. As soon as I took a couple minutes before a few shaves to inspect grain direction and create a plan of attack, my shaves improved like none other. My hair grows in three different directions just on my neck beard (straight down from the chin, laterally on the sides of my neck, and up at the bottom corners). Neglecting things like this can cause a bigger speed bump than you might expect.

I say let your face heal and then try it again. Pay close attention and see if you catch yourself doing something wrong. You should feel it as it happens. The 1 thing I would agree with the other posters on is, too much pressure. The brain tells you to dig deep and get those short hairs. The fact is you just have to go against the direction they are growing to get the bottoms of them. Now, only do what you are comfortable with, but I think if your doing 2 passes just fine you should be able to do 3. Just remember your skin is more raw by then so less pressure will aggravate less. Even if you are successful 3 pass shaves are not an everyday thing for most of us. It's nice to be able to do for special occasions with the lady/ladies of your life.

I think generally a much shallower angle is recommended for the ATG pass. I recently gave up on 3 passes, and just run with 1.5 or so, not so close or long lasting, but the trade off is comfort and speed.

i think this will be what i stick with edhe

Originally Posted by barrow72000

i think this will be what i stick with edhe

Whatever you choose is right, and if you change your mind you still get to be right, brilliant eh!