What exactly is BBS?

[flyman]

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?

[gull]

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

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

[ama015]

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.

[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.

[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?

[flyman]

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.

[Alembic]

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.

[Del1r1um]

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

[souschefdude]

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.....

[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.