DFS-v-BBS-Redux-aaaarrrrggghhhh!

[miamimoe]

Ok, here we go. Had decided to reserve BBS for special occasions/lazy days. Well, today was one of those days. Have a wedding tonight, came home at 3:00 to shave before SWMBO who was not scheduled until 4:15. Lots of time and really indulged with a whole prep. routine, hot towels, etc. Made a 4 pass shave, 3 WTG and one XTG, and of course, the obligatory chin buffing. After the 4th pass, with plenty of lather left, and a good 20 minutes before SWMBO comes home, I ran my hand across the face and realized I was one pass away from BBS, requiring 1 ATG pass. Rubbed face and throat with fingers and a small amount of lather, and it was clear that I was almost there.

However, my skin was mildly irritated, nothing that Thayer's would not cure, and I just KNEW that if I went for that one extra pass in the quest for BBS, that I would have a 4 alarm razor burn, not a good idea with the wedding later on. So, I decided to take a flyer on the 5th pass, and called it a day. Even used the alum block, Thayers and Clubman Bay Rum, and at most, I felt mild warmth from the alum and bay rum that went away quickly, so I knew I had gotten a good shave with minimal burn.

So near, and yet so far. Oh well, I guess that's part of this hobby/indulgence of ours, and I am still reveling in a wonderful shave. On the other hand, there is that little aaaaarrrggghhhh! only because I was one short step away. I will get there one day, but today was not the day.

A big shout out to B&B and all of the folks who so graciously provided advice during this learning phase. Thanks to all this site rocks!

 

[Drubbing]

IMO, more than one pass in the same direction in a wasted one.

You could try W/X/X the other way/A and that's 4 passes that provide more reduction per pass, than 3 in the same direction.

 

[Bobtrumpet]

You are to be commended on your restraint.

 

[miamimoe]

IMO, more than one pass in the same direction in a wasted one.

You could try W/X/X the other way/A and that's 4 passes that provide more reduction per pass, than 3 in the same direction.

I've tried that, and get nasty razor burn. Since I use a Progress, I start out with the first WTG at a mild setting, and then turn it up on the next 2 passes which has really been helpful. XTG is last at 1.5 notches from zero, which is right close, but still need that one ATG to get there, and today was not the day. Thanks for the advice.

 

[miamimoe]

You are to be commended on your restraint.

Actually, fear is more like it

 

[California Cajun]

Ok, here we go. Had decided to reserve BBS for special occasions/lazy days. Well, today was one of those days. Have a wedding tonight, came home at 3:00 to shave before SWMBO who was not scheduled until 4:15. Lots of time and really indulged with a whole prep. routine, hot towels, etc. Made a 4 pass shave, 3 WTG and one XTG, and of course, the obligatory chin buffing. After the 4th pass, with plenty of lather left, and a good 20 minutes before SWMBO comes home, I ran my hand across the face and realized I was one pass away from BBS, requiring 1 ATG pass. Rubbed face and throat with fingers and a small amount of lather, and it was clear that I was almost there.

However, my skin was mildly irritated, nothing that Thayer's would not cure, and I just KNEW that if I went for that one extra pass in the quest for BBS, that I would have a 4 alarm razor burn, not a good idea with the wedding later on. So, I decided to take a flyer on the 5th pass, and called it a day. Even used the alum block, Thayers and Clubman Bay Rum, and at most, I felt mild warmth from the alum and bay rum that went away quickly, so I knew I had gotten a good shave with minimal burn.

So near, and yet so far. Oh well, I guess that's part of this hobby/indulgence of ours, and I am still reveling in a wonderful shave. On the other hand, there is that little aaaaarrrggghhhh! only because I was one short step away. I will get there one day, but today was not the day.

A big shout out to B&B and all of the folks who so graciously provided advice during this learning phase. Thanks to all this site rocks!

I think the challenge that you described is what sustains interest in this forum and keeps membership high. We all want to achieve that self-satisfaction of a BBS shave that so few achieve so we can walk out the door every day with a swagger and air of confidence our peers don't have. We're willing to spend money in pursuit of this goal.

My biggest frustration is the same as yours, when I have to quit short of perfection because my face can't take any more that day.

 

[ateace]

Sometimes in life the best decision is not to do something.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

I'm no expert at all but have you considered a milder razor than the progress, this may help you to go ATG and get better results?

Regards Grant

 

[buyandhold2018]

The Alum and the Witch Hazel really work in calming the skin down. When I'm going for BBS, I still only do 3 passes with the third pass going ATG. Anything more than 3 for me and I suffer from irritation.

 

[Dharion]

A DFS is still darn fine. Don't let BBS fool you, it's not that better. I reserve it for special occasions, too.

Originally Posted by Drubbing ateace
Sometimes in life the best decision is not to do something.

+1

Currently I've got a beard growing which after two weeks is reminding me how great shaving is.
But also that beards don't suck per se.

A BBS is what follows the next Tuesday.

 

[miamimoe]

The Alum and the Witch Hazel really work in calming the skin down. When I'm going for BBS, I still only do 3 passes with the third pass going ATG. Anything more than 3 for me and I suffer from irritation.

. Three is my daily limit. I can go to 4 if I have the time to shave slowly. I have learned not to push too hard, as my worst shaves have come from overdoing it. Once I overdid it with a Feather, and my face felt like a day old pizza that had been stepped on a few times-had to take 3 days off, and I was putting aloe on my face every hour-not fun. To quote Clint Eastwood:"A man's gotta know his limitations".

I'm no expert at all but have you considered a milder razor than the progress, this may help you to go ATG and get better results?

Regards Grant

Actually, I have a 56' red tip that needs a lot of TLC waiting for me in Miami that I picked up for very little on fleabay. Since I live overseas, it's difficult to be buying and selling on B/S/T because of the shipping and customs, etc., but I am also trying to lay my hands on some banged up old Gillettes that can be had for a little money and fix them up, and try them out. Maybe an old beat up Tech or flare tip if I can get them for a song.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Rather than comment on possible future techniques, it suffices to say IMHO that I agree with the poster who said you are to be commended on your restraint. We all are tempted to push it for BBS on days we know its just not there...

The fact that you held off is a good sign of your DE maturity!

 

[Go West Young Man]

I would second the advise not to do 3 WTG passes. I could see 2 working, but for the third at least change the direction a tiny little more every day. If you still have hairs growing WTG after 2 passes, you're doing something wrong.

 

[dpmtherrien]

The BBS is just SOOOOOOOO overated, the only one who really knows you've got it is yourself. The BBS is great when it comes along, but to keep trying for it only leaves one open for burn and irritation.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I usually go for the DFS most days and save BBS for special occasions, too. It was smart of you not to push it - I have a few times and ended up with razor burn, a weeper or a nick.

 

[Drubbing]

I find a Progress exceptionally aggressive. I don't even dial it up.

 

[luvmysuper]

The BBS is just SOOOOOOOO overated, the only one who really knows you've got it is yourself. The BBS is great when it comes along, but to keep trying for it only leaves one open for burn and irritation.

I agree with you sir.
I approach it in a zen like fashion, and the BBS will happen when it happens.
I just try to get a properly prepped and properly executed shave.
Whatever I wind up with is what I wind up with.
Generally it is DFS, sometimes it is BBS and I even have the infrequent CCS, but I'm not targeting any one of those, I'm just shaving.

 

[miamimoe]

I agree with you sir.
I approach it in a zen like fashion, and the BBS will happen when it happens.
I just try to get a properly prepped and properly executed shave.
Whatever I wind up with is what I wind up with.
Generally it is DFS, sometimes it is BBS and I even have the infrequent CCS, but I'm not targeting any one of those, I'm just shaving.

You truly are a zen master.All kidding aside, I think that this is the right approach-work on the basics and enjoy the shave, the results will take care of themselves. A very sound approach.

On a side note, as a result of your enthusiasm for this famous/infamous product, I am ordering a sample bottle of Lilac Vegetal to see what this stuff is all about. I am most curious to see how it will work for me.

 

[luvmysuper]

You truly are a zen master.All kidding aside, I think that this is the right approach-work on the basics and enjoy the shave, the results will take care of themselves. A very sound approach.

On a side note, as a result of your enthusiasm for this famous/infamous product, I am ordering a sample bottle of Lilac Vegetal to see what this stuff is all about. I am most curious to see how it will work for me.

Well, I like it.
And if you do, you can certainly count yourself in a group using a unique fragrance that every other guy on the street isn't wearing.
Makes for some very interesting conversations when a gal asks me what that wonderful cologne I'm wearing is.

As far as BBS goes, I think that as prep and technique improve, the ratio of shaves with results in the upper band replace shaves with results in the lower band.
Everybody has off days, and the results are not as great as I would like, but I can tell you this - With the soap, and the lathering, and just me, the razor and the mirror - I enjoyed getting those results every bit as much as I enjoy getting the upper range ones.

 

[miamimoe]

Well, I like it.
And if you do, you can certainly count yourself in a group using a unique fragrance that every other guy on the street is wearing.
Makes for some very interesting conversations when a gal asks me what that wonderful cologne I'm wearing is.

As far as BBS goes, I think that as prep and technique improve, the ratio of shaves with results in the upper band replace shaves with results in the lower band.
Everybody has off days, and the results are not as great as I would like, but I can tell you this - With the soap, and the lathering, and just me, the razor and the mirror - I enjoyed getting those results every bit as much as I enjoy getting the upper range ones.

I could not agree more. Part of the appeal of the whole wet shaving experience is simply learning to enjoy the doing. I have come to enjoy B&B tremendously, as it has changed my view of shaving as a burdensome chore into something that I can enjoy everyday, and on the whole is a rather inexpensive way of being nice to myself.