What exactly is BBS?

The way I see it, BBS is a term that has been tossed around rather casually at times. According to my understanding, a BBS shave is one in which every square inch of my face is as smooth to a light touch as a baby's bottom in 360 degrees of direction. After a shave, I check various parts of my face for any remaining stubble. According to my understanding, there are a few circumstances in which a perfectly good DFS narrowly misses BBS, or a BBS narrowly misses being a DFS. Here are some of them:

1.) BBS on all parts of the face except...: Not a BBS shave

2.) No stubble left, but feels like fine grit
sandpaper in one direction: Not a BBS shave

3.) BBS in all directions, but when skin is
stretched you can feel whiskers: BBS shave!

4.) BBS in all directions, but when heavier
pressure is applied, whiskers can be felt: BBS shave!

I may be getting a little tedious about it, but I think a true BBS shave should be the holy grail of shaving. As I said once before, like bowling a perfect game. Fact is, the definition seems to be a little vague. Am I wrong?

BBS does get tossed around a lot and I've read how some get such a shave with only WTG and XTG passes :rant:

I agree with your definition. BBS means your face is smooth no matter which direction you feel your face.

Good thread.

I agree. BBS is the ultimate shave, and that includes all of your face. To reach that perfect shave I have to use at least 3 passes with touchups. After a while you get to know your difficult places to shave, and I give those places special treatment.

When I say BBS I mean just that. I don`t want to feel anything touching my face in any direction.

At my stage of the game, the best shave I have had was 3 passes and touch ups. I still haven't got a BBS shave! I have gotten it all with the exception of the real estate right on either side of the adams apple. For one thing, at my age the skin gets a little loose down there.

One thing though, each pass I make is not strictly WTG, ATG, XTG. Within each pass I make several follow up strokes in different directions. Using this method, I have mastered getting a DFS in one pass.

I have noticed, in my pursuit of a BBS, that under my jaw line I'll still feel stubble during the shave, after a WTG XTG and ATG. I'll give up because tenderness is starting to get the best of me. But then after, after the post shave routine, cold water,EveryMan Jack menthol, face balm, post shave strop, and 2 fingers of bourbon poured, I run my finger over the problem area and Viola, no stubble!. Any else ever have that experience?

Absolutely!

My post shave routine: Cold water rinse, Thayer's Witch Hazel toner, Lucky Tiger vanishing after shave with menthol and mint, Nivea AS balm for sensitive skin.

About an hour after the post shave my skin has had enough time to relax and I get the best result.

I don't get them every time I shave. But there are days that I finish, and an hour later, after everything has settled down, My face feels like it did when I was twelve - like there were no whiskers growing in yet.

The only exception to that is ATG on my upper lip. It feels that way WTG and XTG on the upper lip, and I am satisfied with that.

In all directions, in all other areas of my face, it feels like whiskers don't even grow there.

And, for me, I don't count it if there is razor burn involved, only if it is comfortable as well - but that's my own personal judgement on myself.

I get this about 2-3 times a week - the other days are still a DFS.

When I started out, I spent lots of time chasing down a BBS shave doing lots of passes and figuring out my technique. I learned a lot, got used to my razor, and became comfortable with my strokes. Now, I find that I don't chase BBS anymore... in fact, I rarely do anything except a scything WTG pass anymore (maybe a bit of buffing in spots).

One thing I like about straight razor shaving is that it is a very deeply layered hobby. You can learn about history, get a close shave, get a really comfy shave (can be two entirely different learning curves), learn how to restore a razor, collect razors and gear, get into HONING (which has tons of layers itself), try your hand at building a custom razor, play w/ different soaps and ceams, experience a bit of luxury, chat w/friends, and build great experiences to share with others... to me BBS has become less important than many of the things above, but is sure is nice once and a while to take the time and treat yourself.

All the best

Dave

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

One thing I like about straight razor shaving is that it is a very deeply layered hobby. You can learn about history, get a close shave, get a really comfy shave (can be two entirely different learning curves), learn how to restore a razor, collect razors and gear, get into HONING (which has tons of layers itself), try your hand at building a custom razor, play w/ different soaps and ceams, experience a bit of luxury, chat w/friends, and build great experiences to share with others... to me BBS has become less important than many of the things above, but is sure is nice once and a while to take the time and treat yourself.

All the best

Dave

---

Agreed. I am really getting into the restoration and scale making. I reallly like the satisfaction of taking a pitted gnarly 100+ year old POS off eBay and making it gleam, wicked sharp, and putting my own scales on it. There is just so much job satisfaction in every step.
But it sure is nice to feel that nice clean shaved feeling.....

Im still new to the SR shave and i am chasing the BBS (Need to show the wife the Fruits of the Hobby ) Spent 30min of shaving time doing it and still no closer....Yet. I'll get it then just do the WTG after that.

I have found--likely I'm the last one on my block to find it--that before my ATG pass, a few passes on the strop helps that final pass be closer and smoother.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

Im still new to the SR shave and i am chasing the BBS (Need to show the wife the Fruits of the Hobby ) Spent 30min of shaving time doing it and still no closer....Yet. I'll get it then just do the WTG after that.

---

A piece of this has nothing to do with skill and technique. It's that your skin needs to break in. That can take 4-6 months to happen and is completely outside of your control.

So meanwhile, shave all you can to get the practice, strop a couple of times a day to get the practice, and finally, build some lather you may not end up using to get the practice.

Then one day, it all comes together nicely.:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by souschefdude

I have noticed, in my pursuit of a BBS, that under my jaw line I'll still feel stubble during the shave, after a WTG XTG and ATG. I'll give up because tenderness is starting to get the best of me. But then after, after the post shave routine, cold water,EveryMan Jack menthol, face balm, post shave strop, and 2 fingers of bourbon poured, I run my finger over the problem area and Viola, no stubble!. Any else ever have that experience?

---

Hey Sous ... You are not unique in your experience. My opinion on this (and you know what opinions are like), is that if you have prepped your face well (post shower, good lather, etc.), the hair has likely expanded with the warming and absorption of water. This leaves the hair slightly lengthened. Once your shave is complete, the face is splashed with cool water, and astringent/alum block applied, and your face is given some time, the hair shrinks back to it's natural length ... and if you've shaved pretty well, that is either at, or maybe even just below the skin surface.

I've actually gotten to the point that I kind of know what my face/stubble feels like during the shave, so that I have an idea when to stop chasing the BBS (in spots) ... as I have yet to get BBS completely on my chin or right under my nose. :boohoo:

It just means smooth as a baby's bum - if you do not know the smoothness of a baby's bum then you cannot know bbs :deadhorse:

BBS is that ultimate quest many seek like winning the gold medal at the olympics or driving a Ferrari or discovering something new and unique.

depending on your beard it might be relatively easy or very very difficult. It's one of those things the more you obsess about it the less likely you are to attain it.

You just shave and improve and then one day it just comes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

BBS is that ultimate quest many seek like winning the gold medal at the olympics or driving a Ferrari or discovering something new and unique.

depending on your beard it might be relatively easy or very very difficult. It's one of those things the more you obsess about it the less likely you are to attain it.

You just shave and improve and then one day it just comes.

---

I'd like to add this - you don't get them every single shave.

It's like a pitcher that is capable of pitching a perfect game - but does not do so every game.

There is "What you are capable of" and "What you actually did".

So I strive to get them, and if I do - great. If not - there's always the next one.

This thread may help you define BBS: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...xbbs-abbs.html

I think if you have any common sense you can tell when you've had a good shave.
Too close and you get irritation and burn, not close enough and you still have some stubble.
We are individuals and once we've left our teenage years behind, should have the experience to decide when we have shaved closely enough.
I'm not a great fan of shaving very closely against the grain, as for me it causes skin irritation,damage and spots. However, for many others it will cause no problems.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by welshwizard

I think if you have any common sense you can tell when you've had a good shave.
Too close and you get irritation and burn, not close enough and you still have some stubble.
We are individuals and once we've left our teenage years behind, should have the experience to decide when we have shaved closely enough.
I'm not a great fan of shaving very closely against the grain, as for me it causes skin irritation,damage and spots. However, for many others it will cause no problems.

---

+1 On the common sense part of knowing when You have had a good shave. That is, of course, quite subjective. My challenge was to objectively quantify BBS since it seems there are varying degrees of definition as was pointed out by HNSB in his link above. Then again, the argument could be made: "Who cares?" The important thing is that we ourselves decide when we've had a good shave or not.

-1 On the notion of leaving my teenage years behind. I'll not hear of it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

BBS is that ultimate quest many seek like winning the gold medal at the olympics or driving a Ferrari or discovering something new and unique.

depending on your beard it might be relatively easy or very very difficult. It's one of those things the more you obsess about it the less likely you are to attain it.

You just shave and improve and then one day it just comes.

---

+100! Thank you!

What ever you want it to be. After all, no one is going to come to your house and check.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MasterRolf

What ever you want it to be. After all, no one is going to come to your house and check.

---

What if they do???

Good grief.
When I think back to what used to be acceptable before getting into this, who cares? I just think it's good to aim for it and it's nice when it happens more cosistantly.
To me the shave ritual primarily is an experience to be savoured like a single malt.
If I come off the hone ever so slightly tuggy I'll leave it at that. I will get very servicable shaves and keep time on the stone to a minimum.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HNSB

What if they do???

---

:roflmao

I guess I had better lock the shave den door!

For my part, a BBS shave is when you feel across your face in ALL directions and its jut plain smooth!! It will depend on not just your experiience, but which razor you might be useing that day, each razor in a rotation will be a bit different. Your face prep. of course. And the amount of time you have that day, not to mention the OCD factor. I go WTG/XTG/ATG and then very cold water rinse with lots of cold water, I feel it tightens the skin and allows the stuble to present for better cutting. All the touch ups at that point are easier when you can feel the beard better. Razor burn?? Yes that will sometimes go with the teritory, but not always.
Thanks for letting me chime in,

tinkersd of SRP!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flyman

At my stage of the game, the best shave I have had was 3 passes and touch ups. I still haven't got a BBS shave! I have gotten it all with the exception of the real estate right on either side of the adams apple. For one thing, at my age the skin gets a little loose down there.

One thing though, each pass I make is not strictly WTG, ATG, XTG. Within each pass I make several follow up strokes in different directions. Using this method, I have mastered getting a DFS in one pass.

---

Let's set the stage...

John Doe shaved in the morning before work and considers his shave to be a PGS.

If I walked up to John Doe and stood a comfortable distance from him, would I see stubble here and there and think he just did a poor job of shaving?

Same exact setup, but now John Doe thinks he had a DFS, does the answer change?

As many of you have said BBS is the holy grail of the shave, meaning it would be perfectly smooth if your wife or girlfriend were to rub her hands over your head/face. At what point does the shave break down enough that it looks "sloppy" from a business point of view--I.E. you can see it and it looks bad. DFS, PGS?

Bodach

One of the better recent shaves I had was before a cousins' wedding last weekend. I was not trying for BBS, just trying to not leave any weepers, didn't want to bleed all over my collar, plus all my relatives who knew I started str8 shaving recently would have been all over me if I showed up bloody. I made 2 passes only, and got a DFS. not quite BBS, but not far from it.
Moral: relax and enjoy, don't chase the BBS.

Be the shave.

As time goes on, for my part, I think I will eventually hone my technique enough to get a BBS shave. For the time being, I can get a DFS with a pass and a half that gives me a baby face from a comfortable distance.

What do the letters stand for? I'm a newbie excuse me. And DFS is darn fine shave I'm assuming.

#1 BBS - Baby Butt Smooth
#2 DFS - Damn Fine SHave
#3 PGS - Pretty Good Shave
#4 CCS - Close Comfortable Shave
#5 SAS - Socially Acceptable Shave

Any Others? Are they in the correct order?

I normally get PGS's and the occasional DFS, well, in my eyes anyway. I never aim for BBS as I know it will result in some discomfort when the stubble grows back. YMMV.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bodach

At what point does the shave break down enough that it looks "sloppy" from a business point of view--I.E. you can see it and it looks bad. DFS, PGS?

---

When I was M3 shaving - that would have been about 6 hours and I looked like I forgot to shave.

Now it's 10 hours for PGS, 14-16 hours for DFS, 20-24 hours for BBS.

Hell yes it's worth the effort.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HNSB

What if they do???

---

Then they better be able to dodge bullets and/or various sharp objects.

BBS should be exactly that; as smooth as a baby's butt, no matter what direction you rub.

I certainly can't get that in one pass, but I haven't even been shaving with a straight for a year. I can only get BBS on my cheeks, using 3 passes, but man oh man do I love that smooth shave when I do it.

Why not Baby Face Smooth? Isn't a Baby's face as smooth as it's butt?

HOWDY, I GOT A FAIRLY GREAT, IF NOT FANTASTIC BBS EARLIER TODAY, DID IT WILL A PRETTY WELL USED 1/2 DORCO DE SAFETY BLADE IN A PARKER MADE TYPE SHAVETTE, DID IT WITH LOTS OF FACE PREP, TOOK MY TIME MULTIPLE HOT WATER RINSING, HOT TOWEL SOAK ON MY FACE FOR A GOOD 4 MINUTES AND USE A DECENT PRE/SHAVE TREATMENT. A REALLY COLD, COLD WATER RINSE AFTER ABOUT 4 PASSÉ'S WITH HOT AND DID MY TOUCH/UPS WITH MUCH THOUGHT AND PATIENTS. IT WAS WORTH IT!! RUB MY FACE IN ANY DIRECTION AND NO STUBBLE. BUT FELLOW WET SHAVERS THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND WHEN IT DOESN'T THE SHAVE IS STILL BETTER THAN ANYTHING I USE TO GET WITH CANED CREAM AND DISPOSABLE PLASTIC THROWAWAY SO CALLED RAZORS. ITS WORTH IT GENTS, JUST KEEP UP, WE GET BETTER WITH EVERY SHAVE, AND THE LITTLE WOMAN SEEMS TO THINK THE FACE FEELS WORTH IT TOO!

LIKE ANY SKILL, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

A GOOD SHAVE TO ALL, WITH ALL MY BEST.

TINKERSD OF SRP.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bodach

At what point does the shave break down enough that it looks "sloppy" from a business point of view--I.E. you can see it and it looks bad. DFS, PGS?

---

I don't think the standards "from a business point of view" are very high. After all, how many businessmen whip off a quick shave with an electric once or twice a day?....

Anyway....

Now that it seems that we are (pretty much) in agreement about the definition of BBS can we drop all other uses and then threaten to ban all members who continue to blatantly misuse the term? :w

Joking of course, but yes, BBS is just another term for "the perfect" shave. Any time I hear a member say that they just had an 6 minute, 2-WTG pass shave and got great BBS results I am always suspicious, especially of their understanding of the term BBS. OCD? Possibly, but let's finally get it right fellas ;)

Quote:

---

Why not Baby Face Smooth? Isn't a Baby's face as smooth as it's butt?

---

Some people start earlier than others :hmmm: I always have a strange image of baby's with beards on their butts when I hear BBS. maybe it should change to BFS

I've only achieved BBS on my face never my neck. For me BBS is when my little boy can rub his cheeks on mine any direction with out yelling "DAD SHAVE YOUR POKEYS!!"