Thread: When do you stop

Yup, the better job I do at shaving means the longer I have to wait to shave again...so I basically do the same routine, and the results vary, I don't sweat it.

There are sections that i'll leave "less than perfect" because that's just a lot easier and will pass most inspections. BUT THERE are other areas that i double check in order to be sure they are clean with nothing to feel.

The less that perfect areas tend to get irritated if "overbuffed". The other areas a lot more tolerant, but also just easier to get "right".

Knowing when to say when! Worst irritations i've ever had were from overbuffing with DE for dates. Then you go all the way there hoping you're not bleeding on your collar and that she won't notice your over-shaving errors.

I am one of those obsessed if I feel a single hair. I like to be smooth even as I stretch the skin ridiculously a check ATG. I stop based on a few factors: Is my skin burning - if yes I will stop, if no I keep going. When will I shave again - if I do not plan to shave the next day, then I can damage my face more for a smoother shave. I know nobody else notices but me, however an errant follicle too early in the day is like having a chipped tooth you can not leave alone. If I am planning on shaving 24 hours later, I will take it easy otherwise the next day will be painful. Perfect rest time for my face is 36 hours.

Two passes and a couple spots that get touched up with a special grip is all my skin can take daily. That normally gets me BBS (95% of face) to DFS (100%). I have learned to leave the one spot at DFS. Short of growing a baby's hand on the end of a monkey's tail (also useful for reaching nuts and bolts under aircraft instrument panels), I can not figure how to move the razor ATG in that area without cutting my throat.

It is called chasing the BBS. I define BBS as so smooth that you can take a cotton ball and rub it in all directions on face and neck without leaving cotton behind. Pretty high standards. Not that I take a cotton ball and check every time but I achieve this result most of the time. Some days I miss the mark. Razors not sharp enough, I'm in a hurry, or I'm not paying attention. Most days I get it in 4 passes.

When to stop? I don't chase the BBS anymore. I do my routine 3 passes followed by a Clearwater pass with no stretching and I don't check my face. I'm done! If I get the BBS then awesome. I commence to faceturbate. If I don't then awesome. I still have a DFS and I get to shave again tomorrow.

I don't chase the BBS anymore either...I've found that some razors I have, for instance the vintage TI #69 frame back, for some reason, when I use that blade, it just naturally provides an above average shave, same routine, awesome results...so it seems to be many factors, including mood, blade, soap....only other factor I know that will automatically provide a closer shave for me is if I use the Osma alum based shaving soap, it just does something to the skin that results in a very close shave, at least for me, every time.

I don't think there is a right answer for this. Like a lot of aspects of shaving, it's an individual thing.

Initially I started slow per much of the advice here and only did single WTG cheek passes. As my confidence has grown and my skill improved, I've moved up to shaving my whole face WTG and then relathering the cheeks for XTG passes. This yeilds a very close shave with my face/razor...maybe not BBS, but far closer than any disposable ever gave me. The wife likes it and I don't slice my skin up, so it's good enough for me.

I have experimented with ATG passes and the results are good, however considering how good WTG and XTG seems to be working, that's where I'll probably keep stopping.

Faces, water retention of the dermal layer, humidity, the amount of tallow/glycerin in the lather, mood, steel, lighting, sharpness of the blade, type of steel, blade angle, all are factors which I pretty much ignore and a DFS is the best I can do. A final buff on an aftershave balm if I am going to be away for 24 hours or more. I have never had a two / three day shave and do not expect to ever get one.
Have fun and have pity on your face!
~Richard

I chase the comfortable BSS, no point shaving for me unless I achieve it or at least try. But remember some of us have OCD and some of us are more relaxed about it. You'll discover which camp you"re in after much irritation and razor burn, and the following learning curve. We are all different and that includes our skin. What works for me may not be for you.

I have tried DE's and shavettes with many different blades and also several straights. Each razor is different but with practice and slightly differing techniques all will give a comfortable BSS shave. All shaves seem to last as long as each other as far as I can tell.

When to stop? when you can't feel any stubble, however you must stop if you feel any irritation or sting, usually caused by poor technique on my part, but occasionally a new product or rough disposable blade.

Im becoming a fan of the final cold water rinse, pat dry skin, then use fingers to find the usual stubborn patches, then I dip my razor into fresh water, and use two wet fingers to lift the stubble and do a gentle buff ATG which usually sorts the area, but not always, it depends on the razor. With straights particularly, some people including me struggle to get a real BSS on the sides of the neck, where a DE can be used horizontally to buff and get a quick BSS, scything strokes and more passes are needed with a straight so more likelihood of irritation there for me. I have to listen to my skin to know when to stop.

I tend to get irritation and miss the BSS for two reasons, one a dull blade or too much pressure, often again because of a dull blade. So now I change my blade every two shaves or use my barbers hone to touch up my straight very very regularly.

The comfortable BSS is achievable everyday, it just depends on how much effort you want to put in to achieve it. For me the feel of a BSS upper and lower lip is sublime, but its taken me a long time to achieve it without irritation, and I still have the odd off day even now….

Partly the obsession is part of the enjoyment for me

A few guys have said it already, i do enough that i am happy, i will shave it off again tomorrow, it is generally twoish passes, maybe a bit less.