Thread: Single Pass Shaves Vs Beard Reduction

So I was thinking this morning. I have read a number of threads where people state that they get a BBS from a single pass. They site a number of techniques. Some say they scythe, some say they just change the pass direction in different areas of their face.

But we also tell the new guys that straight razor shaving, as well as DE shaving is a beard reduction process not a beard removal process. This is how we get them to understand not to be concerned about any single pass, but that they are taken collectively.

So now how do we describe the single pass BBS phenomenon? I suppose you keep feeling for stubble as you make that pass and you continue to clean as you go - applying more lather as well? Not sure. If that is true - it kind of isn't just one pass. I never got BBS in one pass. I get what I get with each pass and choose to what level of shave quality I want before I start - so I do 1 to 3 passes. But not a BBS on 1 pass.

What say all of you on this?

I'm not familiar with progressive beard reduction theory - please, point me in the right direction or give me the cliff notes version? Others may share this question as an introductory toward understanding the difference between this and shaving it all off in one pass

Single pass BBS? Dunno how that works; then again, it may be possible that the babies used for comparison have twelve grit butts. I generally can get a 12GB shave in 2 passes, but it sure isn't the classic baby's butt smooth where one can feel no stubble at all.

For a while I was doing one pass and getting very good results. By limiting myself to one pass only, I actually improved my technique drastically. I never got close to BBS on one pass in my trouble spots (neck, chin, stache), but my cheeks and sideburns were as close as I was going to get.

I now try to do two passes if I have time, which I usually do.

I would recommend for the new guys to use two passes at first, but then once they feel comfortable with their technique, to try getting a close shave with just one pass. I think this really improves technique, concentration and touch.

In fact, I think tomorrow I will go at it with just one pass and see how it goes.

Before any discussion of this type starts you probably should first define BBS as it seems to mean different things to different people. I've seen several posts that said they got BBS but it was only in one direction. My humble opinion only of course is that for a shave to be BBS it must be smooth in all directions.

I personally don't think it's possible to have a one shave BBS in all directions type of shave. I'm really new so maybe it is but I just don't see it. Like you said if you have to go back over certain areas whether lathered or not this by definition takes it out of "single pass".

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

I personally don't think it's possible to have a one shave BBS in all directions type of shave.

I have personally gotten BBS, as you define it on my sideburn area and cheek area with only one pass. My pass is not direct WTG, but more of a diagonal WTG stroke.

I cannot get a full BBS shave with just one pass though as my chin and neck could never get BBS on one pass.

Originally Posted by Fbones24

I have personally gotten BBS, as you define it on my sideburn area and cheek area with only one pass. My pass is not direct WTG, but more of a diagonal WTG stroke.

I cannot get a full BBS shave with just one pass though as my chin and neck could never get BBS on one pass.

I guess a lot of it has to do with how thick your beard is to begin with as well.....I could get BBS in one pass if I shaved my ass simply because I don't have hair there.

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

I guess a lot of it has to do with how thick your beard is to begin with as well.....I could get BBS in one pass if I shaved my ass simply because I don't have hair there.

I actually have a very coarse, dense beard. By 2 PM I usually have a shadow and I do have to shave every day.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I'm not familiar with progressive beard reduction theory - please, point me in the right direction or give me the cliff notes version? Others may share this question as an introductory toward understanding the difference between this and shaving it all off in one pass

There is an introduction in the Wiki, but I recall reading threads that explored the idea as well.

Originally Posted by Fbones24

I actually have a very coarse, dense beard. By 2 PM I usually have a shadow and I do have to shave every day.

Now I find that interesting...so how do you do it in one pass? You must be a ninja with your technique.