bbs with the grain

[Flanny]

This morning I had a really pleasing 1 pass shave, BBS with the grain.

I was using the Robeson with African amazique wood from Bill Ellis and trying different techniques for tightening my skin on each pass and I actually got a smooth, pull free BBS smooth shave with the grain. This is the first time I've ever gotten a shave that nicely with only one pass. I usually have to go cross grain or against the grain on the 2nd pass to get an extremely close shave like this. I was really surprised at how well it went this morning.

Just thought I'd share my experience with everyone. I'm really pleased with how well the shave went this morning.

Glen F

[AFDavis11]

Yes it is very possible and creates as much pride as honing your own razor. The dedication it took to get there is admirable! Good work!

[izlat]

Nice!

I do 1 pass only quite often - but I am far from getting an extremely close shave like this (fine for me, as long as it's comfortable and enjoyable)

Cheers
Ivo

[heavydutysg135]

Nice!

I do 1 pass only quite often - but I am far from getting an extremely close shave like this (fine for me, as long as it's comfortable and enjoyable)

Cheers
Ivo

+1
I just want to add that if I skip a day and then do a 1 pass shave I can get a good shave that is close but not BBS close.

[Big_E]

It's always good to hear of people's great shaving experiences. I get by with smooth one pass shaves at times, but I still have to go xtg on the neck and under chin area or it bothers me all day.
Ernest

[Friggin Joe]

I gotta go across-grain for a BBS or clse to BBS shave.
I do a one-pass in a rush, and it does the job, but I could never get that perfection of a one-pass BBS stroke on most of my face.
I do this turning stroke, where I turn the egde, heel then toe, downward at angles so I work down the face (sorta like a falling leaf kind of motion) and that's as close as I can get in one pass. My chin's not going to have that though.

[pilothaz]

This morning I had a really pleasing 1 pass shave, BBS with the grain.

Glen F

Great to hear man! Even though it is different for us all with hair growth and the technique we need to do, what was the way you were doing for the pulling technique for certain areas ?

[Flanny]

Great to hear man! Even though it is different for us all with hair growth and the technique we need to do, what was the way you were doing for the pulling technique for certain areas ?

for me,

My hair grows generally down on the cheeks, slightly right to left (my right to left) on the chin. At the base of the larynx (adam's apple) it grows up and curls to the sides. On the neck under the jawline it grows downward but at an angle left to right (mine again). Under the jaw corner, right by the ear, but towards the chin about 1.5 inches it has an odd pattern on each side of the face.

I have had extra difficulty with the last two places generally. Yesterday I took extra care to follow the blade down with my free hand on each cheek. I.E. shaving the left side with my left hand I reached my right over my head and pulled my cheek up toward the scalp. As I worked the blade down my cheek I adjusted my free hand down to keep the cheek tight. When I shaved next to the chin I reached around behind my head and pulled my cheek toward my ear/back of head and slightly upward. I would adjust the angle of the pull with what looked best on my face as I worked my way over the chin. to keep it tight and as flat as possible. I mirrored this for the right side. I included part of the underside as it pulled up over the jaw line with this technique.

When I shaved under the chin and on the neck I took the free hand and placed the fingers and thumb on either side of the lather where I was shaving and pulled the skin tight between the fingers in a fashion that assisted in causing the whiskers to stand straight up from the skin tissue. I had to dry my fingers and thumb really well and press fairly firmly to avoid slippage, especially when I moved to a freshly shaved spot in order to keep the lathered sections tight. I would also pull the entire hand toward the back of the neck as needed to provide extra tension on the skin.

I used a low lather soap which had moisturizers and clay in it for slippage so I was able to see the whiskers more easily through the lather.

I honestly don't know who this will help but there it is. Lynn's shaving video has some really good techniques in it that can be adapted to peoples needs and provides a better reference.

Once I get this housing situation completely settled I'll try to remember to video a shave for kicks and grins. Just keep in mind that Lynn and many of the others have been shaving with a straight probably longer than I've been shaving period so mine will be for fun only and likely of no practical value to anyone.

Glen F

[pilothaz]

for me,

I honestly don't know who this will help but there it is. Lynn's shaving video has some really good techniques in it that can be adapted to peoples needs and provides a better reference.

Glen F

It was just to see what you did, can be used as reference for others or just taken in as a pleasure read lol.

[sebell]

FUD, it's great to hear your success! I generally do a single
WTG pass in the mornings before work, this gives me a nice
presentable look but admittedly not BBS -- I don't suspect
I will be able to achieve a 1-pass BBS shave with my beard
type.

Can't wait to see the video! It's great to watch the techniques
of others, no matter how long you've been shaving.