My Buffing Experience

So I was standing in front of the mirror planning my shave and I thought I'm gonna try buffing, I have seen it mentioned and I have read on it, but never tried it for fear o damaging me.

So I gave two passes, one WTG and one XTG and usually this is where I would stop, so I relather and get into the ATG with a buffing.

The outcome.

I am impressed, not as close as I had expected and I attribute this partly to nerve and the fact my skin wasn't as taught as I'd like. It's not a pass I would use on a daily basis as it seems a little harsher than I'm used to, but it wasn't an unenjoyable shave and for those days/evenings where only a close shave will do i'll likely break it out.

So for me buffing is a tool I plan on keeping in my box for when I need it, maybe break it out for a practice now and then :)

Geek

What is buffing? When I clicked on this thread, I expected to read something about buffing up a razor, you know, cleaning it up, polishing it...Does buffing refer to some kind of stroke...Sorry, I haven't heard this term before.....

Rich

I thought that too. Could mean the back and forth motion (blade moves ahead, moves back, moves ahead...2 steps forward, 1 step back type of thing) some people say works for them?

No expert here, but buffing is a back and forth stroke over the same area, typically a small area, without lifting the blade on the backstroke. My use is for problem areas w/ skin bumps, using very shallow angle so as not to mow the tops of the bumps. I also use on parts of the 'Stache.

Howdy Zib

Buffing does indeed refer to a stroke.

it's in the wiki

Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I'll hopefully be showing off your kind of buffing soon though :)

Geek

What's the point, I just go over an area multiple times with a natural stroke.