After 100 newbie shaves -my first BBS shave!!

[noggs247]

Hi everyone ,
I want to thank everyone for the encouragement over the last 3 mths-I dont think i could have achieved this without the valuable information gleaned from members forums in SRP.
Don;t ask me how i did it-everything seemed to go same as usual but this time when i stepped back from the mirror and felt my face I couldn't beleive the feeling-smooth all over-( even my chin) and no nicks.
I used my favourite razor (John Nowill sheffield steel wedge with bone scales- made between 1842-1890). This razor always fills me with confidence even though it is probably the oldest and sharpest blade i own.
Something different was happening -it took less strokes to cover the first half of my face (I lather each half then shave). Plus I have been using a bolder routine (x2 passes wtg + x1 pass xtg).
Recently i have overcome problems with my chin (i have a long sort of pointed face and my chin seems to attract nicks).
Also have been improving my technique to boost confidence.
This time it seemed all to come together to produce my first BBS shave.
My equipment:-
Omega boarhair shaving brush.
Carter & Bond shaving brush drip stand
Wilkinson Sword shaving soap
Alum block
Neill miller re-furbished ivory paddle strop (latigo+horsehide)
I strop the razor x60 strokes on the latigo + x20 strokes on the horsehide.
then x20 strokes after the shave.
Once again thanks -and to any one just starting out -keep going! don't lose heart -I know it can be done .
Kind regards
Noggs

[Birnando]

Cool!
Nice post.
It's a really nice feeling when you work hard to acquire a skill, and finally reach a feeling of accomplishment like that.
Congratulations!

[Ryan82]

Congrats mate! It's great when everything finally all comes together to result in a great shave, isn't it?

[Pabster]

excellent news and congratulatoins! The BBS shaves are why straight shaving is still king!

Pabster

[nun2sharp]

Congratulations and enjoy the ride! Now you can hold your head up and pity the rest of male humanity, the poor sods!

[ScottGoodman]

Congratulations!!! It may have been a long row to plow, but it was one that only you could master. You just can't get that feeling with a mach 10, no matter how you go about it. Pass on the knowledge you have gained & thank you for sharing your proud moment.

[EmptyCup]

Congrats on your first BBS. Mine is still somewhat elusive but as they say " patience is a virtue ".


Ken

[MichaelM]

Congrats. It's nice to know that the elusive BBS shave awaits those with patience. On my last pass I managed to get one part of my right cheek BBS, but no where else! I'm still trying to figure out what I did differently there! I suspect how I stretched the skin...

-Michael

[noggs247]

Hi emptycup,
Hey don,t get the wrong idea -not all my shaves are BBS!!
Today i cut myself twice -so don,t think i,ve got it down yet .
My shaves have been improving alot recently with the ATG pass doing most of the improvement + getting the hang of shaving my chin has also greatly helped.
If your having difficulties just have faith in your ability to improve .It will come - there were times when i almost gave up after cutting myself quite badly ,but each time I drew back - got the DE out (Parker -Butterfly) and finished the shave.( It was quite some time before my str8 shaves were anything like as smooth as the DE).
Determination is a great weapon!! -Use it!!
Kind regards
Noggs

[noggs247]

Hi MichealM,
thanks ,
You will not achieve BBS with just one pass.I do X2 passes WTG and X1 ATG.
It doesn,t matter how slow the improvement feels ,just keep going and be happy with small gains.
If you are still just shaving your cheeks -try going ATG on these-Very gently at first with minimal pressure -See how it goes.(Don,t forget to hold the razor with the handle straight out when doing ATG passes).
I shave daily with my str8,s and this has helped my experience grow.
Don,t forget we all learn at different speeds.It is NOT a race!
Have fun and great shaving!
Kind regards
Noggs