Final Pass of The Razor...

[Hoopei]

I have very sensitive skin and a very course beard and I in the past always had problems with nicks, cuts and red patches. I learned the hard way that the preparation is everything and even though I read that plenty of times I still initially skimped on the prep only to have disappointing shaves. Well that lesson learned, and getting my razor nice and sharp the angle is just becoming second nature to me.

With my barber I of course started to talk about the old straight shaving and she did not tell me much I did not already know from here, but I listened out of politeness thanking her for all the info.

She then suggested something that has been a revelation to me, as follows:

She suggested that two passed with the grain. But the last pass she would always do with another hot towel then just wetting the face with hot water or moisturizer/cold cream.

I tried using a layer of moisturizer, just using some Trumpers skin food and the razor actually has a dark build up on the edge of what is obviously tiny bits of stubble and a layer of dead skin. Water seems to be fine also for me.

Honestly guys carefully done this last shave with the grain just water or moisturiser is making my shave unbelievable. I am really happy as I have found this was the final piece of the puzzle missing for me.

I finish up with some moisturiser a hot towel and then some witch hazel (method I followed from a post here someplace). This burns a little more probably due to closeness but its nothing major

Does anybody else do this last pass, and also attest to its brilliance ?

[MasterRolf]

I only do one pass, and I follow the natural path rather than worry about the whole WTG, XTG, ATG thing. This works fine for me in that I get an excellent shave with no irritation and none of the angst that seems to plague many here. On occasion, I will discover a spot or two that was not shaved as closely as I like, in this case, apply water and go over the area again in the same natural pattern.

[wdwrx]

I've learned to do the same thing around my chin and upper lip; a slight XTG or WTG seems to give me a very smooth shave with no irritation. ATG on my chin will give me razor rash like no tomorrow!
I haven't tried just water.... I'll take a pass on that one.

[commiecat]

Well for one thing it'd be really easy to see where you need to go, especially if you have any facial hair.

I always relather unless I'm doing touchups, but perhaps someday I'll try just a wet face. The important thing is that it sounds like it improved your shave, so congrats on that!

[Fbones24]

Since I started doing one pass, my shaves have actually gotten better. I get no irritation, it takes half the time and I can shave every morning which gives me great pleasure. I was doing a WTG followed by an XTG pass, but in all honesty, it did not improve my shave enough to warrant the slight irritation and time expended.

This past weekend, I did what the OP said and did a second pass WTG and it was okay. I do not see the advantage to using moisturizer or water in place of lather for a final pass though?

I am going to stick with one WTG pass from now on.

[Hoopei]

Since I started doing one pass, my shaves have actually gotten better. I get no irritation, it takes half the time and I can shave every morning which gives me great pleasure. I was doing a WTG followed by an XTG pass, but in all honesty, it did not improve my shave enough to warrant the slight irritation and time expended.

This past weekend, I did what the OP said and did a second pass WTG and it was okay. I do not see the advantage to using moisturizer or water in place of lather for a final pass though?

I am going to stick with one WTG pass from now on.

I know what you mean, that is exactly what I thought, I also imagined it would cut or nick me but it seems that the top layer of skin cells is so moistened that the razor seems to exfoliate them of plus the last few microns that are poking up with no irritation at all. I think if I did not follow the stringent prep it might end in tears.

But upon your advice I am going to try one pass and a touch up, thanks!

[OiRogers]

This method works for me on "touch up" on either side of my chin.. for some reason my hair grows very densely there and requires more than my daily single pass.

After my single pass, I use a hot wet towel for a few seconds then apply moisturizer to my entire face. I then shave those two spots and dab moisturizer onto them to finish.

Whole face aftershave application so I smell nice for the womernz and I'm good to go for at least 24 hours.