Shaving too well???????

So, odd question to raise some discussion.I have found my go to straight (my W&B 7/8) and this thing preforms better than I could have ever hoped. There is just one problem, I work shift work of 12 hours, working 2 days on and 3 off. While I do not shave on my days off, the first day I go back in the W&B makes my face so smooth one would guess hair has never grown on it, but when I go the second day to shave I dont have enough stubble to comfortably shave with any of my straights or DEs, does this happen to anyone else? It would not be an issue with me if I was not in then military and have to be clean shaven every shift and alas you can see even the smallest bit of stubble on me a mile away (thank you Viking ancestors for giving me thinck dark hair).

You didn't mention your routine, but you could try doing less passes; if 3 is your norm do 2, or if 2 is the norm do a single pass. It might leave enough stubble after 24 hours to warrant a decent shave.

Prep is a hot shower and rub conditioner on my beard and rence out, I usually do 2 passes one WTG and ATG, (or whatever combonation it turns out to be as my beard grows in so many directions its not even funny) but I guess I will try just one pass on my first day back on shift and see if that helps out, If I wasnt here for 12 hours on watch I could get away with only shaving the first day. But thank you for the advise

If I have to shave every day after the first day I only do two passes and believe me no pressure on the blade.

Which passes rotate;

Day 1: WTG, XTG, ATG
Day 2: WTG, XTG
Day 3: XTG, ATG
Day 4: WTG, XTG

And so forth, I still like to give it a day between when I can because my facial hair grows slower than some and it makes for a nicer shave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sjb4552

Prep is a hot shower and rub conditioner on my beard and rence out, I usually do 2 passes one WTG and ATG, (or whatever combonation it turns out to be as my beard grows in so many directions its not even funny) but I guess I will try just one pass on my first day back on shift and see if that helps out, If I wasnt here for 12 hours on watch I could get away with only shaving the first day. But thank you for the advise

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In that case you might also try cutting out the ATG pass, and go WTG and XTG.

It will likely take quite a bit of experimentation to find what will work and what won't.

I have the same issue and found that if I cut down from 3 passes to 2 (WTG, ATG), and use soaps with better skin conditioning properties (MWF or TABAC), it makes the following day's shave much more comfortable. I save the full-up 3-pass for special occasions and hopefully I don't need to shave the following day, or else I get irritation until I have a few days for skin rest!