Thread: Is this statement correct?

I was re-reading this thread and found it interesting that there are so many opinions BUT then there are also certain definitions that were left up to us that posted to decide..

The Shave, Each poster has their own definition of a "Good" shave some consider it Close and Comfortable, some BBS, some "Acceptable" this creates a huge disparity in the answers

The Experience of the shaver, A single pass shave over the entire face IMHO is simply not possible without an experienced driver at the wheel, the mapping of the beard is crucial and that takes experience to get down.. How to approach each area of the face from the best angle and the stroke that is required to shave it effectively also takes experience and practice..

The quality of the edge, This is a biggy, and might be the hardest to define, many people have their own way of defining their own edges, from the ambiguous HHT, to the ATG under the neck test, to a simple shave test... This seems to be a hurdle that can only be crossed by each person...



Anyway just some rambling thoughts after reading through this thread again

I only posted Glen's video because I believe even with a beard, on your first pass it should be really close and comfortable. I guess it's all a matter of opinion.

Thank you everyone for your contributions it has been an interesting discussion at the end of the day I think my problem is a combination of poor technique and razors that aren't quite sharp enough

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

I just removed 3 months of beard growth with one pass it was an epic mess, but I still had good results.

I was thinking something similar. I've never gone 3 months without shaving, but I did get a little lazy around October-ish. Probably went 3 or 4 weeks without a shave. One pass was all it took to shorten every hair on my face. Wasn't a single straggler left at the original length.

If I keep on top of it (I.E. shaves no more than 2 or 3 days apart) I can get a DFS on one pass. That's good enough for me. I dislike having to do 2 passes because my skin is somewhat sensitive, and that dramatically increases the risk of razor burn. If I get a little lazy with it, I'll usually take 2 passes to clean up. Other than that I stick to one pass shaves because my facial hair also grows slow, and the hair is somewhat thin on my face.

I agree with gssixgun, there are a lot of variables to it as well. Sharpness of the blade is only one piece of the equation. A lot of other things come into play. But I would argue that the sharpness of the blade, and skill of the hands it is in, are the 2 biggest factors on said equation.

Originally Posted by FrankD

Thank you everyone for your contributions it has been an interesting discussion at the end of the day I think my problem is a combination of poor technique and razors that aren't quite sharp enough

Yes, this is probably true. A single pass is certainly possible. The first problem is that it's ill-advised, likely leading to problems. A "pass" is usually defined as a single lathering. In that case certainly. You can do anything in a single lathering. Conversely, you can get a decent shave with a single pass.
Most guys need a little more time spent shaving to get the predominance of the whiskers shaved away. Lots of these comments are really in the category of "bravado". "My razor is sharper than your's, I strop better than you, I only need one pass, my shave is faster than your's", etc. it's all very pointless.

A few people still adamantly disagree with me but I still believe that a straight razor shaves just as well as any DE, with the exception of requiring a lighter touch because it does not have the safety bar that allows the razor to glide easily over the skin. It, instead, has the ability to get much closer. Absent the patience and extra time it can take, it's a superior shave.

These types of descriptions are difficult to use for comparisons of whether your razors are sharp enough. You really have to shave with a sharp blade to experience first hand.

Most people I've taught how to hone are shaving on less than optimal edge, for the quality of steel they are using. The difference in sharpness is usually caused by too much honing pressure, too few laps, and poor stroke skill/discipline.

The ability to produce optimal edges requires some skill and confidence because it's a slow process that requires a delicate touch.

Also, those that have less practice shaving are more likely to dull an edge just by shaving too roughly.

But, the fact that I could get a decent shave with one pass is irrelevant to you and me.

Maybe, but the technique of the guy using it has just as much to do with the quality of the shave. My opinion.

Couldn't have said it better.

Originally Posted by MJC

Agree with DrDalton.
With one pass a shave ready razor with cut every hair it meets in one pass.
What changes with subsequent passes in how close the shave it.
By changing direction and skin tension a second (or third) pass allows you to cut the hair closer/lower.

But I can get a very presentable shave in one pass.

HA you guys forgot to mention prep :<0) Just saying.

Heh, my prep is a splash of cold water before lathering up. Not much to mention.

I went to a turkish barbers the other week. They sat me down, no beard prep, using a cheap brush, looked synthetic, and with a cheap shavette gave me a one pass shave. The outcome was actually very good, not perfect or bbs but more than acceptable. What I noticed was that in some places he went atg but I had absolutely no irritation and i have a coarse beard with sensitive skin. This guy has probably being doing this all day long for a good many years and knows what he's doing. What im saying is experience is key although he obviously hasn't read the SRP library!