The Fourth Pass

Good morning Gentlemen,
I've been intrigued by the 4th pass that some of our fellow shavers enjoy and was wondering what approach they use for this pass. I'm an every-other-day shaver and usually do 3 passes and it is hard for me to imagine a closer feeling shave than what a 3 passer gives. However; I'm often rinsing away all this wonderful lather after the 3rd pass and, what the heck, why not lather up again and have at it.
I read where one member does a full face touch up atg on his 4th pass.
So, what do you do?

Well the only way to find out is do it! As to the 4th pass, I can only guess it's a pass that gets what's left, like the 3rd pas does or the second does, I used to do a lot more passes myself in the beginning, but my edges are better and my technique is much better along with very effective stropping. So 2 gets me where 4 used to, I only do a 3 pass if I missed anything. So play with it but I,m hearing you are getting it all in 3. Tc

remember that extra pass can take just enough skin to turn into irritation too.

I'm definitely going to give it a go. I'll do a light, low angle, wtg with max stretching. You are right, the extra passes are for pleasure only. With two days growth I have to do a 3rd pass to get the beautiful shave, 2 passes is close and comfortable.

By the way there is a use for that extra lather, after my final pass I lather up again while I,m cleaning up my brush and razor , then I rinse, like you said it's a shame to throw away! Tc

Not for me! I just did a two pass shave today and my skin let me know that was it:) sometimes I can go three, but I don't think my face would ever appriciate a fourth pass. Also, I don't see how it could get any smoother than after the third pass. But to each their own and we all have different growth patterns...

Yep, every day four passes. WTG, XTG and two ATG. I get a very good shave with two passes but enjoy the feeling better with four. Only do a two pass when pressed for time but then the extra time to do the final two is really minimal. Seems that most of my shaving time is stropping, making my lather in the skuttle, cleaning everything up and stropping some more. As I've said before, me time that I enjoy.

Well, I am going to comment on a couple of things concerning doing 4 passes. First, if my edge was subpar on my straights I would get tugging and likely razor burn too from a non smooth edge but I don't. I also do 4 passes with some very aggressive DEs and a Feather blade so there are no sharpness issues there either. Same goes for SEs that I use.

Maybe I have a technique issue but you'd think that with that many passes my face would be hamburger but it isn't.

Everyone's skin sensitivity is different and some may not be able to tolerate numerous passes because of it. The logical solution is to not do more passes than you skin can handle or skill will allow. No need to be a masochist about shaving as it is supposed to be an enjoyable experience.

Everyone's whiskers seem different too in how fast they grow or at least I believe that. I can never understand how a single shave can get you up to 2 days worth of an acceptable look. That brings up the fact that what is acceptable to one may not be to others. Again each to their own. Whatever you are comfortable and happy with is what works.

I do daily shaves like this:

WTG
2 XTG, one chin to ears and then ears to chin
ATG
Lastly a touch up on the chin and below the chin on the neck

Post shave it is alum and AS.

Like cold water shaving the only way to find out if it works for you is to try it. You'll know right away if it isn't you. Either it will not be worth the effort or your skin can't handle it.

Bob

"I can never understand how a single shave can get you up to 2 days worth of an acceptable look. That brings up the fact that what is acceptable to one may not be to others. Again each to their own. Whatever you are comfortable and happy with is what works."

Yeah, by the end of the second day I've got a heavy stubble. Probably weird, but I like to feel a course stubble before the smooth; seems to accentuate the smoothness for me. Its a happy endeavor!

I do a fourth pass simply because I want to, which is essentially a second full face ATG pass - then done - also really take my time with the whole shave and it still never feels long enough.

No reason needed other than I want to ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paulbuck

"I can never understand how a single shave can get you up to 2 days worth of an acceptable look. That brings up the fact that what is acceptable to one may not be to others. Again each to their own. Whatever you are comfortable and happy with is what works."

Yeah, by the end of the second day I've got a heavy stubble. Probably weird, but I like to feel a course stubble before the smooth; seems to accentuate the smoothness for me. Its a happy endeavor!

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For me if I can feel the stubble and even though the boss can't see it I feel like I want to shave. So really I would have an acceptable shave by most standards yet not by mine. Yes, I still can see the stubble in the lather when I shave so it is there. It is just that everyone is different.

Bob

I do a full 3 pass, WTG, XTG and ATG every day...
Then I do approx. 1/2 pass that I call the "Hollow of the Neck" pass on the lower part of the neck.
A tiny bit more around the "soul patch" and the goatee and it's over, but I always want to do more!!!

Pete <:-}

I remember Lynn Abrams saying on one of his tutorials, "Your index finger is your best friend." and the man is right. When I'm done with my third pass I dab my index finger in some lather and feel for spots that need touch up. Kind of funny but I've done this for over 40 years.

Had my four pass shave this evening and wanted to share the results. Wanting a bullet proof, luxurious lather, I pulled out my one cream, TOBS Sandalwood. Up on the rotation was my Engels Leader. I did WTG, XTG, XTG, ATG.
The two XTG passes were in opposite directions. Closing in on 200 shaves and this evenings was the overall, closest shave ever. Where there were obvious improvements; the corner of the neck, the chin and upper lip. Amazing shave with a nice bay rum finish. Convert!

Nice, congrats.

Happy it worked for you, congrats.

Bob