Thread: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Originally Posted by sunsnow

If I faceturbate will I go blind?

Yes, if you rub your open eyes you will probably go blind.

Seriously, though... the conventional approach to a multi-pass shave is that the first pass is with the grain, the second is across the grain, and the third is against the grain. But that's conventional. If you've got an omnidirectional face you'll just have to tinker and find the passes that work best for you. Some might be across the grain on the first pass--that's how I do the front of my chin--and others might be against the grain on the first pass--which is what works best on my neck. To almost paraphrase James Brown, It's your face, do what ya gonna do...

Originally Posted by roughkype

To almost paraphrase James Brown, It's your face, do what ya gonna do...

I don't mean to be a musical snob but it was the Isley Brothers, but "I won't tell you who to sock it to..." I'm just glad you didn't reference James Brown's 'Hot Pants' after your faceturbation comment!

So basically what you're telling me is that against the grain and with the grain, while accurate descriptions of how the blade hits the hair do very little when talking about whole passes or even a single stroke. And to shave each individually directed patch of hair first with the grain and second against the grain would be prohibitively difficult and time consuming.

Originally Posted by sunsnow

...So basically what you're telling me is that against the grain and with the grain, while accurate descriptions of how the blade hits the hair do very little when talking about whole passes or even a single stroke. And to shave each individually directed patch of hair first with the grain and second against the grain would be prohibitively difficult and time consuming...

Hi, I think you're absolutely right, in my opinion. I really just did N to S and W to E when I started; for quite a long time. But lately I really HAVE been checking out the differences in pattern and trying to come completely opposite to it on the second pass (I only go with and against the grain). I'll only do this when I have time, though (about every second or third day) and even if I had all the time in the world I'd only do two passes every second day, as I think I would suffer some irritation and I don't want that. For me, I only get a really perfectly excellent shave if I do this. I do, though, find it easier to get this result with a DE, due to the manoeuvrability...

So really, I often just do the second pass 180 to the first, with a bit of a touch up on the neck...

The great thing is I still keep finding new ways to shave!

I stand corrected RE whose thing it is, thank you!

Yes, exactly, a shaving pass is mostly what you intend, but will include different grain directions along its edges or at its ends or even in its middle. Managing all those variables is just another part of the adventure.

Now get up offa that thang, and shave til you feel smoother!

Have you ever tried to shave your beard exactly with the grain or against the grain in every section of your face? Matching the direction of every area?

You know, I was thinking the other day (about things way too much and way too deeply, as I often do), that, really, everything to do with an actual shave (including the prep) and the evaluation of ALL of it, is a very subjective and personal thing for possibly everyone apart from possibly barbers.

Some may think, 'Sir!, shaving exactly across the grain on all areas? Of course! I could do it blindfolded, Sir! Why, I do it twice a day Sir!'.

Others may say 'ATG on all areas; that's impossible, no way! That's CRAZY talk man!'.

See, you might have a LOT of areas that have different paths of growth, where someone else may have one or two; and on lightly 'vegetated' areas.

Same deal with how often to strop/hone, etc; what soap works, what doesn't; you've only got you to experiment on.

Now, if you shaved ten men a day, THEN you could know some things!

I just realised what I'm really saying, with ridiculously verbosity, is that your experiences may vary. I think there's even an abbreviation, but why use four letters when you can use lots, with punctuation scattered with utter abandon and relish? :-)

Love it! And don't worry, there's nothing wrong with superfluous verbosity. If you're a fan of words, I'll share my favorite with you... It is quite possibly the most perfect word in the english language. It describes itstelf... Pedantic - using big words to make one's sef seem smarter.

Anyhoo, the more I dig into this new shaving hobby the more I see that it's very much a personal experimentation journey type of thing rather than (pardon the pun) a cut and dry thing... About the stropping though... I thought that it was a before you shave every time thing?