Do you go BBS every time?

[TheBaron]

Although I'm not talented enough for consistent BBS shaves yet, my facial hair grows slow, if I did 3 passes I could probably get away with not shaving for a day without looking too bad. Currently since I am still learning I've been doing only 1 pass to make sure that each day I have a good amount of stubble by the time I shave the next day. That way I have a good canvas to learn on every day. Then one day of the week I'll do multiple passes just to practice angles and learn the XTG and ATG passes.

Basically at this point I'm doing what ever maximizes my learning, I can always be picky about how smooth I am when I'm pro like you guys.

[Bart]

Hmm. Maybe some dissidence is in order...

Unless you have the bad luck of getting ingrown hairs when you shave very close, why would you skip the ATG pass? I would rather skip the WTG pass.

ATG has somewhat a reputation for causing more skin irritation than the other passes, but I believe that's primarily because it is usually the last pass in the multiple pass approach. Possibly one pass too much, but that could also be solved by omitting any other pass.

Granted, the direction of the hair growth guides the edge a bit more into the skin during the ATG pass, but I believe that effect is minimal when you pay attention to a proper shaving angle. Otherwise the razor is just passing over the skin, removing some epidermal skin cells, but no more than during the other passes.

I personally adapt my passes to the length of the growth. A WTG is a reduction pass for me. If there is no need for reduction (shaving every day), I just skip the WTG pass. That buys me more "skin-exposure" for fumbling ATG, which is the only option I have for looking cleanly shaved for half a day.

Of course mileages will vary...

Bart.

[mojka]

me too, I hate any roughness on my face.For me it's enough that I can feel it.

[CRR]

I normallly do WTG, XTG, ATG and minor touch up. If I'm in a hurry, like this morning for example, I pull out my DE with a Feather blade and use the same procedure, only it's much faster. I can shave in easliy half the time or less.

Not nearly as enjoyable, but it gets the job done when needed. I like a smooth face everyday, so one way or the other, it's gonna happen.

[Obie]

Gentlemen,

I do the three standard passes with some cleanup everyday. I try to get a BBS as best I can. It is not so much an obsession for me. I just love the ritual of traditional shaving with a straight razor.

On the practical side, my beard has been in a continuous revolt against me since my youth by growing in 37 different directions. The neck especially is a revolutionary loony bin. After all this time, no matter what angled razor strokes I use, I am still unable to clean my neck and under the chin properly.

Also, a sliver of a beard arks east and then north from just above my right jaw and ends just below my right side burn, while the rest of the beard on that side grows southward. So when I shave with the grain north to south on the right side, I must make sure to use a steeper angle in addition to a buffing motion to clear that sliver. It's frustrating.

I have varied the passes, changed their sequence, eliminated some, added some, but still the battle continues. Oh, there has been progress, but no complete success. Yet I know someday I will win the battle.

Why I say this is because I follow three important principles in almost everything I do, especially if it is challenging from the start: focus, discipline and tenacity. I also try to have a good time while doing it.

Regards,
Obie

[fccexpert]

I go BBS most of the time. When I don't I can generally chalk it up to sloppy technique. I don't pay much attention to the whole WTG, XTG, ATG stuff, I just shave the way that comes naturally (i.e.) down and across the cheeks, down and across the upper lip (two strokes over the area). Down the neck. down the lower lip, across and down on the chin. All in one pass.

[ATG]

I used to go for BBS every time, but my facial hair doesn't grow back quite that fast and I prefer to shave everyday. Now I normally do 2 passes (WTG & XTG) and I still look clean shaven, I can just tell the difference when I run my hand over my face. I save the completely BBS shaves for more special occasions.

[Hogrider]

Gents,

It is my practice to do three passes. I shave M-Th skip Fr and shave on the weekend. First I do WTG then XTG and lastly ATG only my neck up to my chin and jawbone. Most of the time I achieve BBS; but if I don't, I still enjoy shaving with a straight (and that is whats all about...right?)

[ChrisL]

I'm one of the ones that's prone to ingrown hairs on my neck, chin and upper lip areas although the neck area is most prone. I do a modified diagonal upward XTG on my cheeks (not completely ATG) and find it provides a true BBS on my cheeks without the need for an actual upward ATG stroke.

You guys that can do ATG on the neck, I applaud you. Forget it for me. I also would rip my upper lip area into a galaxy of weepers if I followed through with a Fools Pass. The follicles for my whiskers above my upper lip are conical. My skin upon close inspection there is not flat but each follicle is raised.

So, no, I don't do BBS across my entire face and it's true, no one is the wiser as my face feels like glass even in the non ATG areas on the downstroke.

Chris L

[Sticky]

...
I only do 2 passes + touch ups in problem areas.

Pretty much the way Jimmy does it. Except often only one pass + touch up in problem areas.