Thread: Baby-Butt Close on first Pass?

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I wouldn't make 3 passes a daily ritual if I were you. It will cause a cumulative irritation effect. I do 2 passes daily, with about 2-3 3 pass shaves a week, when I'm working with one of my favourites or when I have a special occasion on that day.

Good advice, but I only shave every third day since I have a light beard, my beard is white and not that noticeable, and I'm retired so I don't have to shave every day. But when I do shave I want to get the closest shave I can. The only time I get irritation is when I don't prep properly or use soap that doesn't lubricate my skin.

I shave about every 36 hours. I have a very light beard as well. Always go for the BBS. For me it's all or nothing. But like Firestart said....every day will start to irritate.

I have been trying to perfect the "once over" shave that seemed to be the standard shave in the barbers manual (posted in the help files) I have only achieved a "good shave" "once over" a couple of times. It usualy takes two passes or I have to use too much pressure as rtaylor61 pointed out.

So many things to try, and only one beard.

Dave

two passes for me is all it takes... I've never even tried 3 passes... I don't know what I would be shaving at that point. I guess if i were to do a 3rd pass, I would go completely against the grain on my cheecks (I go cross-grain on my second pass). However, the cross-grain on the second pass gets my cheeks completely BBS, with no evidence of stubble when rubbing in any direction.

However, as many have mentioned, I believe it would be tough to achieve BBS with only one pass.

Drew

Many years ago when learning how to use the straight razor, I was taught that an every day shave was a one pass shave and that it was not meant to be baby butt smooth. Simply an acceptable daily shave. But, for meetings and special occasions where you needed to be very smoooooooth, then the cross grain shave. I have found that I do more 2 pass shaves than anything on a regular basis. I also have seen where other guys will do a 3 pass shave or shave against the grain. Tis all individual preference and beard type.

Now........when you do a one pass shave it should feel pretty smooth in the direction that you shaved.

Have fun.

Lynn

Well I guess I am odd. I want baby butt smooth every morning and spend the extra time making that happen with 3 passes. Plus, it really gives me an opportunity to see if my honing technique is working. If I am working on a razor I will try it on the first pass. At the upper level of my cheek, I will find it very smooth. But down where the real tree trunks grow, I find that it requires another pass. I often switch razors to see how another razor is working on the cross swipe. It satisfies my need to have more beard to try my toys on. I usually go back on a bed of sandalwood cutting balm and check the hard to get to spots on the jaw and neck. When I finish I don't want to feel hair grow until I get up the next morning. However, with my TOUGH beard, I usually get to about 2000 before the little buggers poke their head out for air. I smile and once again look forward to attacking them in the morning.

I completely agree with Lynn. After the first pass with a razor I just got back from the Pro's my cheek feels smooth in the direction of the pass. My jaw and neck is where I have the problem. This area requires at least 3 passes and even then I still feel some roughness against the grain in these areas. So I strive for perfection, and like the perfectionist that I am I'm usually somewhat dissatisfied with my results. I now won't blame the blade but will put the blame where it belongs... with me. I'm hoping time and more experience will improve my performance. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I think it will. I can't imagine anyone knowing how to hone well finding a straight irritating. I think one pass should be enough to shave close if you follow these basic tenants (and I'm with Lynn, I'm not worried about against the grain smoothness).

- use hot water (or find the temp your skin prefers, sensitive skin can puff out from water too hot)
- wash the face oils off (I use shave cream)
- reapply
- rub in the cream with your fingers (after lathering massage cream INTO the whiskers)
- use a perfectly stropped and honed razor
- know the exact direction your beard grows in and cut the whisker correctly on the first stroke
- learn the direction and angle needed for each area of your face
- break your face up into flat sections so the razor doesn't need to work at varying angles during a stroke (ever notice how easy the cheeks are?)
- learn exactly how much, if any, stretch you need for each spot on your face
- make two-three strokes, one after the other on each section of skin if needed (OK, maybe thats cheating)

2nd Pass? Across the grain a little I suppose

3rd Pass? Against the grain . . . sounds like you guys are having too much fun in there! LOL

Duke - I think your experience is pretty normal. If your looking at an ultra smooth shave it should be done in three passes. I used to use one with, one across. I like to see how close I can get without ever going against the grain.

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

I shave about every 36 hours. I have a very light beard as well. Always go for the BBS. For me it's all or nothing. But like Firestart said....every day will start to irritate.

glad i'm not alone on this. i do 36 hrs if i have a choice, and if i try to do it more often, it gets a bit painful, not much, just enough that i know something's wrong.

Yeah, I agree with everything that's been said here, excepting of course each individual gentleman's personal preference. Me? I like to let it grow for a couple days if I can because a shave with three days growth feels sooooooo good. I do have to look good for work so that usually means daily with a half shave on odd days because I have such a light growth ... and BBS 9 times out of 10.

X