Thread: Baby smooth skin

Increasingly of late I find my self chasing the BSS. When I started shaving I always saw this as the ultimate shaving experience. And even with a cartridge razor I achieved it most of the time.

I switched to the DE a several of years ago mainly due to the inflated price of cartridge systems.

With a DE (I own several) getting a BSS is easy especially on the neck (My hair grows sideways towards my adams apple) with my straight I can get an every other day BSS but not a daily BSS (due to hair length I guess) However a BBS shave will last a couple of days with both the DE and the straight, with no irritation, but I still want to shave everyday as I dislike stubble.

I have been shaving with a straight for ages and they are all properly honed and maintained. There is no doubt they are sharp, and as I said a BBS is easy everywhere except the neck. I need to stretch the skin and do scything strokes to achieve the BSS but as I said its seems just not possible everyday. I have tried different stretches and approaches. A shavette (due to smaller blade width) will allow me to go sideways and achieve a BSS but not any of my straights daily.

I have always thought a DFS on the neck was good enough but lately its not been. I find my self being disappointed at the quality of my shave, I really am starting to demand a BSS everyday, and with a DE I can have that.

Have I become obsessed with the BSS? Am I an OCD shaver? Am I alone? does anyone see out there demand a BSS every shave, everyday?

Naw, I don't think you are alone and besides having a goal to shoot for is fun. I do try for a BBS everyday but do not always succeed, probably more times than I'd care to admit. Still keep trying though.

Bob

Your not alone.

So what is the significance of BBS?

I can pull out my ancient electric and have a 100% BBS shave. The problem is 5 hours later the stubble is starting to come back.

BBS is not the hallmark of a great shave, really.

Bob summed it up perfectly.. ditto! I try every time and usually achieve a BBS shave but not always. As he said, it gives me a target to shoot at. Also, there are a couple of spots on my neck, same as you, that even after a real BBS shave are the first places where I feel stubble 10 or 12 hours later. Those spots are obviously not quite as close as elsewhere so I know that I could do better. There's my target.

BTW, there's no shame in resorting to the DE for those spots if that's what it takes for you.

rs,
Tack

This is true BBS

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

So what is the significance of BBS?

I can pull out my ancient electric and have a 100% BBS shave. The problem is 5 hours later the stubble is starting to come back.

BBS is not the hallmark of a great shave, really.

I think BBS is the trademark of a good shave. The significance for me is looking and feeling close shaven. I just hate stubble nowadays. If i shave really close, I can't even feel stubble in any direction at all, that for me is a great shave. If its like that, I could miss the next day and still look respectable but I just don't, I like BBS for as long as I can get it, and its almost possible for almost 8-10 hours, no stubble and after that a very slight stubble up to 24 hours.

Im even considering giving up my straight so I can have BBS everyday ( or just touching up with a DE).. A DE used sideways to blade buff on the dreaded neck pockets is all that will clear the stubble in that position, everywhere else BBS….

It comes with time and practice, all lead with patience of course. I shave at most every second day and have no issues with the closeness I get from my straights. When shaving with a DE I would have to shave each day to get the results I now get with a straight.