Total BBS

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10-14-2012, 12:20 PM
England

Total BBS

Finally achieved complete BBS for the last three shaves. That is a totally smooth feel which ever direction I feel on any part of my face & neck.
Used to think I was achieving BBS but there was always a small patch or two where I could feel something :thinking:. Thought that was as good as it gets and I was happy with that and would call it BBS.
Things have now moved on and I put it down to two reasons...
Number1. A new bathroom mirror with built in lights. Sounds daft but makes such a difference when you can see :shrug:
Number2. Have made a breakthrough with the honing and my edges are now super sharp yet smooth :D
I am doing this with two passes 1 x WTG, 1 x ATG + touch-up. Have been straight shaving for around a year now.

Just wondering how many of us out there are achieving TRUE BBS or like I was almost BBS yet calling it BBS.
10-14-2012, 12:42 PM
ace

I can never find a baby around when it's time to make my comparison, so I have to settle for almost BBS. I tried to talk the wife into having another baby, but she knows what causes that and won't have anything to do with it.
10-14-2012, 02:04 PM
Mvcrash

I use the BBT as a measure of smoothness. If SWMBO does not complain about my face feeling like sandpaper, all is well.
10-14-2012, 02:08 PM
Trox

Way to go, must be a great feeling when you can get BBS through your whole face. I've only been straight shaving for about a month now so haven't been able to get a full BBS, but can usually get it on my cheeks. Right now my chin and neck are still giving me a hell of a time, but I do notice some improvement with each shave. Hopefully in a year or so I can get that full BBS shave on a consistent basis.
10-14-2012, 03:51 PM
Tack

Ah yes, the marriage of a dialed in edge, good beard prep, and technique that works for THAT blade on YOUR face is a thing of beauty. The result is that, although the shave was comfortable, you still run the risk of rubbing your skin raw because you can't stop feeling your face and neck.

Yesterday a razor came up in rotation that I have been maintaining by resurfacing/polishing the as-shipped edge every six shaves. On a whim, I decided to give it the full Unicot treatment by the book - except that, since I've been taping everything lately, I used two layers of tape for the second bevel. I shaved right off the coticule with no further finishing (except for stropping 60/60) and experienced the closest thing to a perfect shave that I can imagine. It was close, smooth, and comfortable. Even now, nearly 15 hours later, I can find only a few small patches of "pre-stubble".

And the point of all this rambling? It is that after 36 years of straight razor shaving I can still get all goofy over an exceptionally close shave. You say that you are only a year into this? You, sir, have many years of joyful face-feeling ahead of you.

rs,
Tack

ps- your choice of title for your post could have been better - I didn't see both B's at first glance
10-14-2012, 03:59 PM
Ryan82

IMO most of us call it BBS even if it's not quite there, which is fine for everyday appearances. I agree with the OP though, true BBS is smoothness in every which way; the perfect shave. Personally, that's saved for special occasions like weddings and the such.
10-14-2012, 04:11 PM
strtman

Up until now I have not achieved a real BBS yet. I started straight shaving ten months ago.

I know the voyage to a real BBS will be long but certainly worthwhile.
10-14-2012, 05:58 PM
Mvcrash

Quote:

Originally Posted by strtman

Up until now I have not achieved a real BBS yet. I started straight shaving ten months ago.

I know the voyage to a real BBS will be long but certainly worthwhile.

Everyone has their own measure. Eventually you will wind up with a shave that you feel is BBS. It just seems to happen one day.
10-14-2012, 06:59 PM
Optometrist

Congratulations! When I used a DE(and sometimes still do), I did/do three passes for a full BBS. For my past 14 months with straights, I just settle on two passes as I can get nearlythere with that. I also like to have a little more growth when shaving with straights, and as a daily shaver, this suits me just fine.
10-16-2012, 10:46 PM
Nubo

Quote:

Originally Posted by ace

I can never find a baby around when it's time to make my comparison, so I have to settle for almost BBS. I tried to talk the wife into having another baby, but she knows what causes that and won't have anything to do with it.

Well, WBS is probably a good approximation. Hopefully you won't have to do it from memory! :p