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

There are things you can read that don't strike a chord until you have a few shaves under your belt. To veterans it's obvious but to a rookie like myself, the concept of not trying to remove all stubble with one pass and being content to move on to the next pass is one of those pivotal "ah hah" moments. My shaves are much better with little razor burn (not hacking on one spot helps) and it's less stressful to know "I'll get that on the next pass". So, from one one greenhorn to the next, "shaving --it's a multi-pass thing."

P.S. I realize some of the more experienced shavers can get good results with one pass, but that's another story.

I've started realizing the same thing too. In addition to the multi-pass, someone also helped me realize I don't have to press the razor into my face that hard... I have been trying to get everything on the first pass. I'm finding it's much easier on my sensitive skin to barely press the blade against the part I'm shaving and just let it do it's thing, not try to force it. I come out with much more fluid in my veins that way.

Yeah, not to mention you get the enjoyment of another lathering. mmmmm

X

Yep, mike-s, even when I knew I was going to do 2-3 passes, I would try to get it all (all that's visible) with the first pass. What were passes 2 and 3 for? --oh I don't know, it's just what they told me to do. That's how you think when your ears are still a little wet, but now, it's obvious, it's a divide and conquer thing --- not an all-or-nothing scorched earth policy. One pass-two passes-three passes -give it a light touch and you got one nice shave.

During all of my years of using a Gillette Atra razor and Edge or Barbasol shaving cream, I never thought of making multiple passes. I lathered up and shaved with a downward stroke. That was it. When I discovered "proper" wetshaving and started using a brush and quality shaving cream or soap, I read about using multiple passes. Joe Lerch taught me the most. Now, whether I use a straight razor or DE, I make at least two passes.

RT

I shave baby close with one pass...I know its hard to believe but true...How you may ask? an extremely sharp razor...patience in preping the skin...lather tech...stretching the skin...stroping the razor properly...most importantly being aware of the direction my beard grows on different parts of my face and thru experimentation finding the stroke that shaves off the beard...TAKES TIME

I always do two passes. One with and one against. I like the effect..

I do four on the face and two on the neck. I LOVE the effect of that. No hairs whatsoever after that treatment I can tell you.

I'm one of those guys that has a shadow, and I used to do the multiple-pass thing back when I really worried about BBS. Now I just do a once-over shave like the barber texts describe, which gets me BBS above the jawline and nearly BBS below it, which is good enough for me. I'll only do the multipass thing if there's a party that day or something that will need me still clean-shaven that evening.

That is a lot of shaving!