Thread: Shaving --it's a multi-pass thing.

I just can't get a good shave with a single pass - I even did against and across the grain passes with cartridge razors.

I can get a decent shave with a N-S and S-N pass (I find using compass directions better than "with/against the grain" as grain direction differs between shavers and particular areas of the face.

Over the past week or so, I've been experimenting with an W-E pass on the left and E-W pass on the right along the jowl/jawline and that's made a huge difference. I'm going to experiment with the same sort of thing on the neck - I think that will make a big difference.

So my order is N-S, W-E/E-W and S-N - which translates into a 2.5 pass shave.

I'm typically two passes, with and against. Now, if I have time and I feel in the mood it may be as many as four passes. And who says you have to use the same razor each time? Using a really light touch gives amazing results.

A lot of what a man can accomplish has to do with how his beard grows, thick or thin, dense or sparse, straight out or flat down. As I see it there's no point in being lazy about it. Not doing the extra pass that I need to or not giving myself the proper level of prep before them. That will only cause issues and likely take longer anyhow.

X

X makes a good point. In straight razor shaving, "shortcuts" will make things take longer.

Straight razor shaving is progressive. Each step works only as well as the steps leading up to it.

Josh

I tend to do a four pass shave (with, across, back across, against) with touch up (against where needed) if I need BBS for the whole day, but then I won't shave the next day or I'll get irritation.

A two passer is good enough for most days, with and across.

I can get BBS in one pass if I do "buffing like" quick short strokes with the grain, but I won't enjoy it. It exfoliates to closely.

I'm with mparker - for me, a single pass is fine for my everyday shave. If something special is coming up I'll do an additional against the grain pass.

James.

When I started this thread, it was a "from one new guy to the next" type of thing. For the newbie, it might be best to tackle it in a multi-pass kind of way instead of trying to get it all in one shot. The more experienced shavers can get it in one pass, and this is something the greenhorns maybe can accomplish one day, but from what I've learned over the last four week, until you get the angle and the touch right, a multi-pass method can reduce razor burn and give a good shave ---and it gives you more experience with your razor. Thanks for the replies.