Lightbulb moment! Beard length

SO I have been shaving every 24hrs since beginning with a straight which gives me a pretty decent stubble. I usually shave in the afternoons due to my job, just before I shower.

Yesterday I decided not to shave due to lack of time and also to give myself a Saturday morning shave as opposed to afternoon. That extra beard growth has made all the difference!

My goodness, the shave was much smoother and less effort needed too. Very happy. I am tempted to say that the lack of razor burn was due to the length but I have been getting more and more razor burn free shaves as my techniques develop further.

I may leave the shave to every second day but it's so hard to resist that shave feeling!

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Originally Posted by andrewmurray86

SO I have been shaving every 24hrs since beginning with a straight which gives me a pretty decent stubble. I usually shave in the afternoons due to my job, just before I shower.

Yesterday I decided not to shave due to lack of time and also to give myself a Saturday morning shave as opposed to afternoon. That extra beard growth has made all the difference!

My goodness, the shave was much smoother and less effort needed too. Very happy. I am tempted to say that the lack of razor burn was due to the length but I have been getting more and more razor burn free shaves as my techniques develop further.

I may leave the shave to every second day but it's so hard to resist that shave feeling!

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I have heard that from a few people, the 2 day/ smother shave thing, i cant think why it would work, but i do sometimes notice it myself, not that that really helps with an explanation.

Hmmmph, go six months and then try to shave:dropjaw: It must take you a few days to develop 5:00 shadow, either that or you probably need a refresh on your razor. When was the last time you put it to a barbers hone? Or else you need to lighten up on your technique. The razor should just glide across your face if there isn't that much there to mow down.

It obviously has to do with your face and your beard growth and thickness. If I skip a day, it takes two WTG passes to get to the good stuff, and even approach smoothness, no matter how shave ready my SR is.

I dunno, everyone's facial seems to grow at different rates. I can only get 10-12 hrs before I feel there is enough stubble to warrant a shave. I rise early around 0500 and shave. Late afternoon I feel some stubble showing and sometimes do shave again. My stubble is never very long and the shaves are smooth. I can't see waiting 2 days and getting a smoother shave but have never tried it. I am thinking if the blade is up to snuff it should not matter. I am thinking it does not take much for the blade to be off a bit. OTH whatever works for the individual.

Bob

My point there Bob. I could shave twice a day if the feeling ever took root in my feeble mind. As it is, with my crazy work schedule, I only have the weekends to shave and by then it is thick.

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Originally Posted by guitstik

My point there Bob. I could shave twice a day if the feeling ever took root in my feeble mind. As it is, with my crazy work schedule, I only have the weekends to shave and by then it is thick.

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Yea, just saying I feel the same about stubble length effecting the smoothness or lack of it during a shave.

Bob

I used to shave every day. I didn't mind it and would get great shaves. Then one day I had not been able to shave and the next time I was able to was on the third day. It was an absolute glorious shave. I had done nothing different except for having three days growth. I don't know why but I suspect that more hair can absorb more water. Also I believe that the longer hair is more flexible and doesn't cause such a stiff feeling of the blade going through stiff hair. If I go 7 days it's even better. I don't get it but try it if your skeptical. I now never shave daily.

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Originally Posted by guitstik

Hmmmph, go six months and then try to shave:dropjaw: It must take you a few days to develop 5:00 shadow, either that or you probably need a refresh on your razor. When was the last time you put it to a barbers hone? Or else you need to lighten up on your technique. The razor should just glide across your face if there isn't that much there to mow down.

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Not really bruz, I could shave twice a day but I find once is enough, twice would be overkill. The razor does usually glide across my face and just had it back on the hone on Wednesday just gone. As I said I'm only new to SR shaving and still developing my technique and improving my skills. I just noticed a marked difference with the extra length on the beard. My first straight shave I removed a 2 month beard and I recall it being a pretty decent shave.

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Originally Posted by andrewmurray86

SO I have been shaving every 24hrs since beginning with a straight which gives me a pretty decent stubble. I usually shave in the afternoons due to my job, just before I shower.

Yesterday I decided not to shave due to lack of time and also to give myself a Saturday morning shave as opposed to afternoon. That extra beard growth has made all the difference!

My goodness, the shave was much smoother and less effort needed too. Very happy. I am tempted to say that the lack of razor burn was due to the length but I have been getting more and more razor burn free shaves as my techniques develop further.

I may leave the shave to every second day but it's so hard to resist that shave feeling!

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For me, 3-4 days between shaves is optimal.

The optimal time between shaves for me is 2-3 days. This is true for straight razor, DE, or cartridge. I have enough stubble to shave the following day, but it's not worth the irritation.

During our recent move, I ended up not shaving for nearly a week. When I was finally able to shave, the shave was easier and was completely irritation free, even in this hot, humid Georgia summer weather.

I suspect the reason is that if your beard is longer, it will absorb more water, making it softer and easier for the blade to cut. I also suspect that the absence of any irritation is due to your skin having more time to regenerate, since when you shave, you are taking a layer of skin off with your razor.

Just my experience and guesses... Take them for what you will.