Thread: Why 2 or 3 passes?

Hello Guys,

I was wondering why we always do 2 or 3 passes (wtg sideways and atg). Why not just once against the grain? The hair doesn’t notice that it has been cut down the first time or does it? Does anyone have a understandible explanation?

Guus

I don't have an explanation so much as a reason. I've tried it. When I try to start out going against the grain it hurts, it pulls, I get razor burn. It doesn't matter what kind of razor either, straight, DE, injector, or cartridge all them same. Lots of pain. When I do three passes, first with the grain, second across, then my third is against the grain I have nothing but the smoothest shave possible (for that razor). That my reason anyway, to avoid pain.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I don't have an explanation so much as a reason. I've tried it. When I try to start out going against the grain it hurts, it pulls, I get razor burn. It doesn't matter what kind of razor either, straight, DE, injector, or cartridge all them same. Lots of pain. When I do three passes, first with the grain, second across, then my third is against the grain I have nothing but the smoothest shave possible (for that razor). That my reason anyway, to avoid pain.

Ditto

My thought is that multiple passes knocks down the hair a little at a time. When you go straight against the grain, the razor is engaging every single hair on your face. If you do multiple passes, some hairs are getting cut to skin level in each pass, so by the time you get to the against-the-grain pass, the razor is only seeing maybe one in every four whiskers...

Also, shaving from different directions helps get hairs that might avoid the razor if only shaved from one direction. This morning there was a hair on my neck that I noticed after my second pass. I tried several WTG strokes with no effect. The temptation in this situation is to use more pressure. Instead I tried another direction. Whack! No more hair, and I used only the lightest touch.

Just my 2 cents,
Josh

That could be it, but are there any other idea's?

Some people go against the grain on the first pass with no problems. They are few and far between though.