Thread: How close can you get with one WTG pass?

Hi guys.

So, I've been shaving with the straight on my cheeks and neck (and letting my goatee grow out) for a week now, and things have improved substantially since my first attempt. However, I feel that my technique is greatly lacking, because after one WTG pass, I still have an awful lot of stubble.

I have heard many people say that one should endeavor not to shave over the same place twice on the same pass -- that instead you should properly shave each region WTG, then reshave each region XTG, and then, finally, if appropriate, ATG.

I have heard many people say that one should not expect the first pass to be completely smooth, as a straight razor pass really reduces the amount of stubble rather than cleanly removing it. The XTG and then, optionally, ATG passes will catch any remaining stubble left behind. Is this true?

Right now I feel like, unless I pass over each region on my face several times WTG, I don't really get much stubble off at all. This can't be ideal, because the first time I pass over a region, the lather comes off my face, so on the next "scrape" I am basically shaving dry.

I don't mind the goatee but I don't think I look particularly good with it, and would like to have the option of shaving it off -- but at the moment, if my technique isn't good enough to even cleanly shave my cheeks, I'm hesitant to attempt my chin or upper lip.

I don't want to have unrealistic expectations. For those of you with stellar technique, how smooth are your cheeks after a single WTG pass on typical day old or two day old stubble?

Just wondering what my goals should be...

Thanks a bunch,

Alexander

My strokes overlap previously shaved areas by quite a bit. There isn't a problem with that if you keep the pressure light and you had a decent lather to start. When I take the first stroke that removes the visible lather, I'll go back once or twice more depending on the way the beard grows and on the current sharpness of the blade. I find a fresh honed razor reduces the need for a second or third swipe across the same area but doesn't always eliminate it.

To get perfectly smooth aka bbs, I do need to do three passes + a bit extra on one cheek that grows in a spiral pattern. To get a perfectly presentable shave for work, all I need is a careful first pass, but it does involve the going over the same area more than once without re-lathering. While a single pass shave passes inspection at work, it does not pass the Rolling Pin Dept. standards....

If I use my Feather AC with a fresh Professional blade, there is no need to go over the same area twice and I never do, without re-lathering... The Feather blades are wicked sharp and there's no lubrication left after the first swipe.

Hope this helps

Regards

Christian

How close can I get with 1 WTG pass?


Answer: not very

I need to do at least two passes. The first is WTG and the second is ATG. I don't do more than two strokes over the same area. I get razor burn if I do. The WTG is just to chop down the growth and the ATG is what gives me the BBS

With practice it will be possible to get very close. I get as close with my straght as I used to in about a two passer with a DE onceI go XTG I will be close enough for public exposure all day. My strokes are very similar to those I used to use with the DE as well short and easy with some overlap.

I would not worry too much about overlapping strokes or even going over the same stop twice on a single pass, as long as it is very shortly after you first went over it there will still be some lubrication for you, just make sure that your angle is good and that you are not using too much pressure and you will be fine.

Chief

I get extremly close with a single pass, though I do have considerable stroke overlap. In fact, I probably cover my entire face twice with a slight directional change between strokes. It is also important to use a proper sything motion do that the edge slices through the wiskers instead of chopping. My typical single pass shave last about 36 hours.