Quote Originally Posted by Durhampiper View Post
I think one-pass shaves were much more common before the advent of the safety razor and shaving every day. 150-200+ years ago, most men didn't shave every day, and when they did, it was probably usually a single-pass shave. The late Patrick O'Brian, in his Aubrey/Maturin novels, makes particular note of this at various places. Occasionally Stephen Maturin (a man generally careless of his dress), upon being informed that Captain Aubrey has invited a guest onboard ship to dinner, will pass his hand over his face last shaved 2 or 3 days prior, and mutter, "It will do, it will do." And in other places, junior officers expecting a severe reprimand for some fault or oversight are described as reporting to their captain "triple-shaved"--a 3-pass shave, only undertaken on special occassions.
Great series of books. Appreciate the cite.