Thread: Third Pass

2 passes for me (WTG/XTG)...I haven't yet attempted ATG - I think that would cause me too much irritation so I have not yet tried to...2 seems to make things nice and smooth with little to absolutely no irritation...if I try a 3rd pass it would be only for the experience/practice, not b/c 2 passes doesn't do the job.

Sometimes the third pass just isn't worth it when you weigh the smoothness of the result against the potential irritation. I know for myself that I can only do a 2 pass shave occasionally. Most times I can be just happy with one pass from a really really sharp blade.

While two and sometimes one pass is sufficient, i generally do three passes. of course it seems that if i'm goinfg to nick myself it seems to be on the third pass. some days though it is best to set the razor down and hope you don't have to leave the house.

Four passes and i'm beyond BBS and into facegasm.

I do two passes, and then a little bit of touch up here and there with water. I have never done three full pases. Just like Big Spender said though, you greatly increase your chances of razor burn. Better to just accept the shave after two, and know that as your technique gets better, so will the closeness of your shaves.

Matt

The short answer is, 2 including a full against the grain pass.

I skip most of the first pass and some of the second. My beard is light enough that most of it gets an across the grain pass to start and only some of it gets a with the grain start. The whole thing gets the against the grain pass as it needs it because too many of those hairs just lie so flat against my face that the only way to get a close shave is to come underneath them.

X

I do like 2 3/4 passes. Well kind of. I do a full WTG pass. Then I do XTG on my cheeks/under the nose, followed by ATG on my neck/chin. I then do little touch ups here, and there. Then I use a DE to get my trouble areas on my neck. There are some places I just can not get BBS with a straight. I will continue to keep trying as I am sure there is a grip/technique out there that will work. I gave myself razor burn once trying to get my troublesome neck spots, and I learned my lesson. Finishing up with a DE is not the end of the world to me. I just have to have that all over BBS shave. If it works, and is comfortable....keep doing it.

3 kinda. First pass: WTG Second pass: ATG for checks and neck XTG for under my nose and chin and my jaw (the grain points to my chin along the jaw so when I do my ATG for my neck and cheek I just roll the razor over) Third pass: ATG for jaw chin and under the nose.

I find that the XTG for under the nose and the chin really make the ATG pass go very smooth, maybe I just need a heavier razor. I do full strokes so I don't repeat strokes in the same pass, unless it is the third pass during touch ups. I also don't have to shave again for 2.5 - 3 days

I do two Passes, one WTG, One ATG, I have to shave every day, I don't take a break, I take the shave as it goes that day and be glad I don't have a Five o clock shadow at three, like I did with that Mach what ever.

Two passes on the cheeks, one WTG, one at 45 degree angle. Similar for moustache, though occasionally give a third pass. Two passes on neck, only WTG or get nasty pseudofolliculitis barbae with ingrown hairs.

Three passes at chin, WTG, perhaps 45% twice. Occasionally the third pass is XTG. Lately also giving a third pass to the distal cheek near the chin where I have a patch of particularly firm hairs. There really are different populations of hair at different places in my face.

Even with this, and with a good, smooth shave, I still have a strong shadow by about noon. Even when smooth, there is still a slightly greenish hue to my skin, as my complexion is relatively fair but my hair is dark. I'm just a hairy, swarthy guy.