beard reduction first?

Hi guys,

I posted this in newbies because when i first shaved with a straight i was going for complete beard elimination on the first pass. My razor wasn't shave ready, and i paid for it by being left with a face like a slapped ass!

Now, I saw on a youtube video, that when shaving, it's all about reducing the beard pass by pass. So the first pass aims to clear most of the beard, but not all of it. You'll still feel stubbly. The second and third passes are the real clean up passes, that take on whats left, and leave your face glassy and hopefully not red!!

I missed this advice when i began straight shaving as mentioned earlier, and it wasn't until about my 4th shave that i started adding a second pass. I don't think my face was ready for 3 passes right at the start so it was kind of a good thing i was leaving them out, but i was dissapointed with the results in the beginning. Now I'm up to a 3 pass shave, and a little buffing, and i really feel my face is taking it well.

I just wondered what others think about this advice on not trying to get dead smooth on just one pass?

pea

ps. It's worth saying that you should be close on the first pass, just not FINAL smoothness.

Regardless of my opinion on it I find I need two passes to atleast get a good shave and if I begin my XTG pass too early I create abrasion marks on my face. I also finish with some blade buffing and often the second pass or third pass is done with water only, so its not technically a true "pass" but I'm forced to agree with you.

I can remove significant amounts of beard with a straight though in one pass, like 10 days of growth, but to get close I usually do atleast two passes.

The more I practice, the closer I get on just one pass though, keeping in mind that I swipe the lather off and then buff repeatedly on the first pass. The first pass probably include 10 strokes on just the side of my face.

I never get shaves I'm satisfied with on the first pass, but that's really subjective.. A "close" electric shave leaves about a day's worth of growth (after shaving with a straight) on my face.
Usually, I do 2 passes and I go for 3 with a bit o' buffing if I want to go BBS.

Recently, I have been two passes regardless...

Definitely two passes. My beard isn't too thick or heavy, but a lot of the hairs like to lie flat so I can't get a close shave unless I go against the grain. Starting against the grain on my goatee area is a recipe for trouble so that means at least two passes.

X

I found I have to do 2 passes as well - one pass still leaves some stubble, but the 2nd pass across the grain seems to clear that up.

What do you guys mean by "buffing"? :shrug: I may already be doing it without knowing what to call it!:p

I generally do three passes with any of my razors, even the non-str8s. I've found that with my str8s, I have the same amount of 'mulch' on the towel in the first two passes. The third, XTG pass usually has about half the harvest of the previous passes. Touch-ups are rarely needed now. I've got a heavy beard and leather skin, so YMMV.


Wayne

2 passes for me also.
I also would like to know what buffing is

Two passes for me as well. However, with a sharp razor a one pass shave is still much closer than any of my shaves for 25 years using an electric. I'm soooo happy I threw that thing against a brick wall (truthfully, I did).

Cheers,
Ed

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I never get shaves I'm satisfied with on the first pass, but that's really subjective.. A "close" electric shave leaves about a day's worth of growth (after shaving with a straight) on my face.
Usually, I do 2 passes and I go for 3 with a bit o' buffing if I want to go BBS.

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The above is my routine as well. I just wanted to add that if I do that BBS shave for more than two days in a row I start to get burn and irritation no matter what. If I gave my face a couple of days in between BBS I get no irritation however.


I'd love to throw my old electric against a brick wall but it was a present from my wife so even though I haven't used it in years, I don't think it would be a good idea. It sounds soo satisfying though. :p

Thanks guys!

Yeah i get closer with each shave on the first pass but i actually like to do three passes as i just find it very relaxing!! It's the second XG pass that sorts me out. The third is just for good measure, as long as my face is in good shape (ie not sore). 10 shaves now and no soreness.

Buffing as i understand it, is very short, repetative stokes. The method i read was that the blade doesn't leave the skin, you just move back an forth, about an inch in each direction. It gets all the little stuborn hairs if done properly. I actually learnt about it by seeing a guy shave with a safety.

pea

For me using the idea of beard reduction works well.

I can get a shave which looks perfectly presentable for work but still feels a little rough with one pass, which is fine if I'm in a hurry.

I did 2 passes (as per Lynn's DVD) for a long time but recently switched to 3 passes but with much lighter pressure. I find 3 passes gets me a slightly better BBS shave but without any irritation whatsoever. With a 2 pass shave I can get BBS but run more of a risk of razor burn, especially on my neck, as I have to use a little more pressure.

For me less pressure and an extra (3rd) pass is the key. :)

I generally shave with one pass...my razors are really sharp,my face well prepared and lubricated and skin stretched taunt...my shaving strokes tend to be long with no pressure on the razor except to guide it...buffing can scrape your face...multiple passes with just water can irritate your beard...If for some reason I need to make another pass I apply a very light coating of lather with my fingers taken off the brush...the better you lubricate your beard the better the shave