Why does hair length count?

Hello all knowledgeable SRP folk,

I regularly find that my shaves after 2-3 days growth are much more comfortable (and closer) than my shaves after only 1 day's growth. Why is that so? I don't think it's just me either, I've seen this sort of agreement on some threads a while back.

Presumably, the razor doesn't "know" the difference between cutting a hair that's 1mm long (metric is best :p) or 10mm. So why does it matter!? Is it just that my skin has had time to recover from my newbie technique?

Does anyone else find this?

I think it's mostly the skin having more time to regenerate after its last scraping.

It's possible that the hair is different too, even if its physical properties are the same it may absorb water differently, or point more in the same direction when it's longer... I bet Gillette and Schick have spent quite a bit on studying these things know them quite well. I just speculate.

Ivan pretty well beat me to it. I also wonder if the smoother is psychological, or that we put a bit more time and effort into a shave if we have had a few days off.

Psychological, sense of accomplishment.

I shave everyday 90% of the time , I can't really tell the difference between 1 day or 3 , but shaving everyday has given me a lot of hands on , so I'm thinking my technique is getting there, so I don't agree to that ,, only time I notice any difference it's my razor not up to the best it can be. Tc

My skin prefers shaving every other day, but I like shaving too much to wait that long :p If I really focus on light touch and going smoothly, I get a more comfortable shave and grateful skin, even though I might miss some stubble.

I use to shave every day. I would get great comfortable close shaves every day. I have sensitive skin though, and after one day shaving my face was on fire. I mean I went from being done shaving to being outside in florida heat on a roof doing some work so I think that had part to do with it. Anyways, I decided to take a day or two off from shaving and the next shave I had was the best shave I ever had. Super smooth super comfortable and no irritation. I think that there are a few reasons to this. One being stated already is that your face has time to relax a bit. Next I think the hair is able to absorb more water when its longer. I can't prove this just a theory. Lastly, get two pencils. Make one short like an inch long and take another full length pencil. Try to break each one. The shorter one is much harder to break right. Now I know a razor is cutting and not breaking but i think the result is similar. Just my theories and I haven't tested any of them. Anyways have fun.

Thanks all, some thought provoking comments. All very helpful. This is why I love SRP!

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Originally Posted by Laurens

My skin prefers shaving every other day, but I like shaving too much to wait that long :p If I really focus on light touch and going smoothly, I get a more comfortable shave and grateful skin, even though I might miss some stubble.

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WELCOME BACK LOZZA :)

Not trying to be contrarian, but some of my best shaves I get around 6pm in the evening after a very early 4:45am shave.

I don't usually shave twice a day, but when I have to rise very early, I sometimes do an early morning shave and then look forward to the second shave in the early evening.


B.

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Originally Posted by beluga

Not trying to be contrarian, but some of my best shaves I get around 6pm in the evening after a very early 4:45am shave.

I don't usually shave twice a day, but when I have to rise very early, I sometimes do an early morning shave and then look forward to the second shave in the early evening.


B.

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I usually shave twice a day because I too rise at 0400-0500 and because I can. Even if I only shave once a day I see no difference in quality/ease of shave. I guess everybody is different.

Bob

While the whisker is cut at the base no matter how long, if you take a straw out of a broom for example, and hold it between your fingers, increasing the distance from the point where it is being held, it becomes more flexible the further from that point. I don't know if that would contribute to the seemingly easier feel of a shave with a three day beard, as opposed to that of the daily shave. I do know that my skin appreciates a break and feels better if I only shave every other day.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

While the whisker is cut at the base no matter how long, if you take a straw out of a broom for example, and hold it between your fingers, increasing the distance from the point where it is being held, it becomes more flexible the further from that point. I don't know if that would contribute to the seemingly easier feel of a shave with a three day beard, as opposed to that of the daily shave. I do know that my skin appreciates a break and feels better if I only shave every other day.

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I pretty much agree with the theory of the skin is rested and the oils yada yada yada BUT I also was thinking about the length and the flex of the hair shaft Jimmy..

I thought both ways too, that the edge is on the skin so it shouldn't really matter, IDK it sounds good :D

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

I pretty much agree with the theory of the skin is rested and the oils yada yada yada BUT I also was thinking about the length and the flex of the hair shaft Jimmy..

I thought both ways too, that the edge is on the skin so it shouldn't really matter, IDK it sounds good :D

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You know what they say Glen, 'great minds think alike' ! :tu

Whether the length of hair affects the shave to a significant degree is in the same class as the theory of "resting a razor". That is highly unprovable and variable by the individual. Makes for an interesting discussion though.

Bob