Thread: Confession of a SR shaver

My name is Jason and I... I... I... Do not seek the perfect shave. On purpose anyway. If it comes by accident with my trying something new as an idea hits me so be it. But I have decided that though my shave is BBS on everything above my jaw, and below there is still a hint of something ever so slight as I slide my hand across the grain I'm satisfied if I never improve another step. Its better than my safety razor shave but its not an angel singing in the background type of shave. So be it. For me life is too complicated to worry about the minutest grooming detail as opposed to the reason I'm grooming. Its minute to me that is. Not to say that those who have achieved it should feel I'm slamming them I'm not. Its just not my goal. I love shaving with a straight razor because I've been drawn to traditional methods of doing things but, shaving just has never the biggest part of my day. I hope no one is offended but I had to say it.

Originally Posted by JazzWillie

My name is Jason and I... I... I... Do not seek the perfect shave. On purpose anyway. If it comes by accident with my trying something new as an idea hits me so be it. But I have decided that though my shave is BBS on everything above my jaw, and below there is still a hint of something ever so slight as I slide my hand across the grain I'm satisfied if I never improve another step. Its better than my safety razor shave but its not an angel singing in the background type of shave. So be it. For me life is too complicated to worry about the minutest grooming detail as opposed to the reason I'm grooming. Its minute to me that is. Not to say that those who have achieved it should feel I'm slamming them I'm not. Its just not my goal. I love shaving with a straight razor because I've been drawn to traditional methods of doing things but, shaving just has never the biggest part of my day. I hope no one is offended but I had to say it.

Many members don't chase the BBS shave, me, I'm fine with a DFS...if I'm going somewhere that requires it fine, I'll take the time for a BBS. Also, if I want a BBS shave to prolong a good shave, I'll do that...having said that, getting a BBS shave probably means two days without a shave, it's that good and close, and I like to have a nice shave in the morning!

It's good you decided that through own will. I tried to do the same many times. I mean to decide to stop chasing. One of the reasons is what Phrank said; I want to be able to shave every day... ;-) But the problem is that when I stand in front of the mirror, lathered up, razor in hand, the little devil in the back of my head starts whispering into my ears: BBS... BBS... :-)

I can get a pretty consistent BSS nowadays but only if I miss a day and shave every other day. if I shave daily I get a DFS. Not sure why this is like this but TBH I like to shave every day. I also know my daily shave gives me less irritation, maybe because I am removing less hair or the cutting of the shorter hair allows better glide and less skin damage?

I do like to go ATG to give me a BSS in a couple of spots, particularly on my lower cheeks and beside my chin (the wife contact areas) , but generally Im happy with a WTG pass followed by a hybrid XTG/ATG second pass nowadays.

Lately my skin has been great is with no irritation, dryness or bumps. So I guess I will be sticking to the everyday DFS. I will never shave with anything else regualrly but my straight, except for a quick experiment with a vintage toy perhaps.

My shave may not be the "perfect shave" by definition but it is the perfect shave as far as my skin is concerned, and thats the important bit.

JazzWillie,

I take the shave as it comes; most time it is a DFS, rarely BBS; sometimes I have a really bad shave

No worries; it is part of Life's Rich Pageant

The idea is to enjoy the shave, not become an obsessive

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by JazzWillie

My name is Jason and I... I... I... Do not seek the perfect shave. On purpose anyway. If it comes by accident with my trying something new as an idea hits me so be it. But I have decided that though my shave is BBS on everything above my jaw, and below there is still a hint of something ever so slight as I slide my hand across the grain I'm satisfied if I never improve another step. Its better than my safety razor shave but its not an angel singing in the background type of shave. So be it. For me life is too complicated to worry about the minutest grooming detail as opposed to the reason I'm grooming. Its minute to me that is. Not to say that those who have achieved it should feel I'm slamming them I'm not. Its just not my goal. I love shaving with Ia straight razor because I've been drawn to traditional methods of doing things but, shaving just has never the biggest part of my day. I hope no one is offended but I had to say it.

I think the silent majority are like this. Yes, close as possible, but not at the expense of comfort. I used to be more demanding of results, but I've arrived at the sweet spot between closeness and comfort. As with everything, some shaves are better than others. The quality of shaves haven't diminished since lightening up.

I got into traditional wetshaving because the typical department and drug store fare were giving me both bad shaves and discomfort.

No shame in this confession, my friend. I have to settle for a less-than-BBS shave on the bottom of my neck or I court irritation. And realistically it's probably only noticeable if someone is a foot away from my face, and no one except my wife should be that close to me anyways lol.

As I always say, a DFS is still Damn Fine

What I've learned in my year and a half (amongst other things yo) is that I now get as good a shave in 2 passes with T/U as I used to get with 3 passes on the DE and with practically zero irritation. I usually start with a heavy blade and touch up with a lighter one.

I learned to quit fussing with the neck, makes life simpler, down/up done. Typically your SO/GF is nearly always happy you didn't cut your throat and/or your date doesn't need to see weepers. So relax about BBS under the jawline, and notice how they don't complain.

Also, try to keep all those women out of the same room.

It's not the ability to drag a cotton ball across my shave without snagging that drives me. It's chasing that buttery velvet-edge that, once felt, cannot be forgotten.

I never thought I'd get this far, but now it's like this: If i can't shave with a SR, then I'm probably not going to shave-period.

Off topic: You still making bikes?

Originally Posted by WadePatton

What I've learned in my year and a half (amongst other things yo) is that I now get as good a shave in 2 passes with T/U as I used to get with 3 passes on the DE and with practically zero irritation. I usually start with a heavy blade and touch up with a lighter one.

I learned to quit fussing with the neck, makes life simpler, down/up done. Typically your SO/GF is nearly always happy you didn't cut your throat and/or your date doesn't need to see weepers. So relax about BBS under the jawline, and notice how they don't complain.

Also, try to keep all those women out of the same room.

It's not the ability to drag a cotton ball across my shave without snagging that drives me. It's chasing that buttery velvet-edge that, once felt, cannot be forgotten.

I never thought I'd get this far, but now it's like this: If i can't shave with a SR, then I'm probably not going to shave-period.

As a Barber I was trained not to do BBS shaves, "Once-Over Shave" with a cleanup across the grain. Many men cannot handle against the grain, due to irritation. I myself have straight shaved for more than 12 years and shave with and across the grain. Sometimes envy those who can shave against the grain, but I live with what I can do, without irritation.