Single Pass Shaves Vs Beard Reduction

**markevens** · 10-05-2010, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Personally, I would call what CommieCat shows "one pass," even though he makes small overlapping strokes. I sometimes do an actual single stroke, and sometimes I do small overlapping strokes.

And my own results mirror Commie's; whatever hair is on my face comes off in 1 pass. I get what I call directional BBS - meaning if I run a finger along my face in the same direction I shaved, it feels BBS. If I go WTG, ATG will not feel BBS, but XTG might if it's a really good pass/edge.

I just don't understand beard reduction with a straight. The only way I could imagine doing beard reduction would be if you shaved without putting the edge on your skin, but instead floated over your face, cutting the hair above the skin. But doing that really makes no sense to me. Unless you have a razor that knows to only shave off every other hair, or something like that...

As for DE's or SE's, the only alternate explanation I could think of is if the razor gets clogged and is no longer able to cut hairs (I do get this sometimes with a straight, if I am shaving off some serious beard and the already shaved lather/beard slides down the blade onto the edge or gets on my face). Not that I really know anything about using paperweights to shave....

My understanding of beard reduction is that the first pass takes off 99% of the hair, leaving stubble left. XTG and ATG then reduce that stubble to BBS.

Personally, I define BBS as smooth even when rubbing ATG, and I can only get that by shaving going WTG, XTG, ATG. The ATG pass is water only, and I use a lot of buffing. I've only been at this a few months though, and my razor needs a honing. When this topic has come up before, there are plenty of guys who say they get BBS with a single pass, and I believe them. I think a uber sharp razor + refined technique + good prep can do it.

I also like the idea of constricting yourself to only one pass to force development of technique. My razor lost its super keen edge a while ago, but I keep using to force my technique development.

And since we are sharing videos, this is one I found before I bought my first razor. It scared me at first, but now its one of my favs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQLgRG4hC0A

**holli4pirating** · 10-05-2010, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by markevens

My understanding of beard reduction is that the first pass takes off 99% of the hair, leaving stubble left. XTG and ATG then reduce that stubble to BBS.

I wouldn't really consider that beard reduction, but I guess it technically is, because it does reduce the amount of beard on your face. But it removes THE MOST it possibly can with a pass in that direction, meaning repeated WTG passes won't get you any closer (unless you change your razor or technique) than a single WTG pass will. Technically, it fits, but I think that, if used in that way, it's rather misleading.

Also, watching that guy's blade angle makes me cringe. And wow, he managed to cut himself with the toe of a round pointed razor. Not a good instructional video, IMO.

**markevens** · 10-05-2010, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Also, watching that guy's blade angle makes me cringe. And wow, he managed to cut himself with the toe of a round pointed razor. Not a good instructional video, IMO.

You don't use a 90 degree angle?

[/sarcasm]

**holli4pirating** · 10-05-2010, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by markevens

You don't use a 90 degree angle?

Is that a serious question?

**Jimbo** · 10-05-2010, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is that a serious question?

Is *that* a serious question?

James.

**holli4pirating** · 10-05-2010, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Is *that* a serious question?

R U SRS?!?!?!

(Yes, mine was a serious question)

**markevens** · 10-05-2010, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is that a serious question?

I edited it for clarity. Sarcasm can be hard to detect on the intertubes some times.

**Alembic** · 10-06-2010, 12:09 AM

I wish we could speak in person sometimes. Almost all of the varying opinion is not rooted in varying opinion but rather varying definition.

What is a BBS shave? What is a multi pass shave? What is the beard reduction process?

Until you can define these and agree on the definitions, I can't see having a discussion around it that does not end up with "Who's on first?"

Its classic metaphysics and epistemology I tells ya!

**volleykinginnc** · 10-06-2010, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Alembic

I wish we could speak in person sometimes. Almost all of the varying opinion is not rooted in varying opinion but rather varying definition.

What is a BBS shave? What is a multi pass shave? What is the beard reduction process?

Until you can define these and agree on the definitions, I can't see having a discussion around it that does not end up with "Who's on first?"

Its classic metaphysics and epistemology I tells ya!

I disagree....

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