Thread: Becoming a one pass shaver

One pass only ATG. If the razor is sharp enough I cannot see the point of several passes.

Originally Posted by Kees

One pass only ATG. If the razor is sharp enough I cannot see the point of several passes.

That's also how I see it. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Originally Posted by Kees

One pass only ATG. If the razor is sharp enough I cannot see the point of several passes.

While sharpness does definitely contribute to needing less passes in some cases it is not the only factor. Things like skin sensitivity, type of beard and how fast it grows, smoothness of the edge and technique all play into whether you need, can do or want to do more than one pass.

Bob

I've only been SR shaving for a couple of months. For me it depends on how pressed I am for time, my mood, (read that my SWMBO's mood too) & whether or not I am shaving my head. Lately I have been trying to take the time to do 3 - even if it's only for the relaxation. But I am starting to notice after the 3rd pass I am getting a little red @ the base of my jaw. So I am thinking of dropping back to 2. And then some touchup. Interestingly, I never cut myself on the 1st pass & seldom on the 2nd. 3rd I consistently nick or cut myself. I have been doing 2 passes on my head every other day without a single nick or cut. I guess maybe I pay more attention. That's my 2¢.

Originally Posted by BobH

While sharpness does definitely contribute to needing less passes in some cases it is not the only factor. Things like skin sensitivity, type of beard and how fast it grows, smoothness of the edge and technique all play into whether you need, can do or want to do more than one pass.

Bob

Agreed. I know guys who are like Chia Pets, their hair grows just by adding water. So, com 24hrs later, they look like I do (not as good looking, of course) after 2 days. Which, in fact, is EASY to cut than a 5 O Clock shadow, because the is, typically, softer.

Wow. I must be overdoing it, as usual. I do WTG, XTG, ATG, and what I call a flaccid 4th. Porcelain finish though. It's all subjective, which is a good thing.

When I first started as a Newbie all I had was my uncles 5/8 Genco Grant and a leather strop with no cloth. After a professional honing, it was an amazing shave. Only a couple of nicks and most of the whiskers had vanished.

After some real practice I could get a decent shave with a single pass no irritation, no razor burn, no ingrown hairs and only the occasional nick or small cut.

Then after reading here at SRP how the 'multi pass shave' was sooooooo much better and would result in the legendary BBS (Baby Butt Smooth) shave I dove head on.There were recommendations of 2-3-4-5 pass shaves and links to videos shown how it's done.

I'm just an Old Redneck Country Boy but it didn't take me long to figure out that those multi pass shaves only did ONE thing. They just irritated my skin. However! With what Glen calls 'Well Mapped Out with a Sharp Razor Single Passes' I was not only back to none of the problems that I had Before the multi pass shaves I was getting a very nice shave that would last 24 hours meeting my companies dress code.

If you've followed my posts you will find that I don't believe in the BBS Shave. I believe in the CCC (Clean Close Comfortable) Shave!

Originally Posted by cudarunner

When I first started as a Newbie all I had was my uncles 5/8 Genco Grant and a leather strop with no cloth. After a professional honing, it was an amazing shave. Only a couple of nicks and most of the whiskers had vanished.

After some real practice I could get a decent shave with a single pass no irritation, no razor burn, no ingrown hairs and only the occasional nick or small cut.

Then after reading here at SRP how the 'multi pass shave' was sooooooo much better and would result in the legendary BBS (Baby Butt Smooth) shave I dove head on.There were recommendations of 2-3-4-5 pass shaves and links to videos shown how it's done.

I'm just an Old Redneck Country Boy but it didn't take me long to figure out that those multi pass shaves only did ONE thing. They just irritated my skin. However! With what Glen calls 'Well Mapped Out with a Sharp Razor Single Passes' I was not only back to none of the problems that I had Before the multi pass shaves I was getting a very nice shave that would last 24 hours meeting my companies dress code.

If you've followed my posts you will find that I don't believe in the BBS Shave. I believe in the CCC (Clean Close Comfortable) Shave!

Yup, and some peoples get that Clean Close Comfortable shave after doing multiple passes. I just shows to go ya that individuals are different and there is no one real absolutely right way for all. The main thing is find and do what works for you, is acceptable to you and does not cause your skin irritation. Trust me, I would not be doing 4 pass daily shaves if it irritated the hell out of my skin.

Bob

Bob, I think that we are pretty much seeing eye to eye on this!

As I have posted quite often; I believe that 99.99% of EVERYTHING to do with straight razor shaving is 'Personal Preference'.

With that said, I would 'Prefer' to see those that are new to learn how to get the most out of a single pass shave BEFORE they do the knee jerk to the I NEED TO TO MULTIPLE PASSES.

Again, it's all personal preference.

Smooth Shaving My Friend

Originally Posted by AcesandEights

Agreed. I know guys who are like Chia Pets, their hair grows just by adding water. So, com 24hrs later, they look like I do (not as good looking, of course) after 2 days. Which, in fact, is EASY to cut than a 5 O Clock shadow, because the is, typically, softer.

Yup and you have the exact opposite too. I have a buddy that when he says he has to shave because he has not for 3 days I just shake my head. You can hardly see his blond peach fuzz after 3 non shaving days. Then there is all the in between scenarios just for variety.

Bob