I've been blade buffing for a few months and my technique has evolved into something that I don't think is quite the same as most folks describe.
For my first pass I don't use buffing, just long and fairly quick strokes WTG to mow down all the long stuff.
On my second pass (I only do two passes) I go ATG and use buffing everywhere. The way I do buffing:
I figured all of this out after I started using an open comb (Goodfella) razor, so I'm not sure if it would work as well with a safety bar razor. The Open comb seems to hold onto the lather and then re-deposit just perfectly on the back stroke. This method sounds complicated and also like my face is getting a lot of blade action, but neither are really true. I can get BBS or DFS (my choice based on time and comfort) in two passes with almost no irritation.
The part I think is "different" is that my buffing passes are just barely cutting anything, yet they are still effective. Anybody else do their buffing like that?
For my first pass I don't use buffing, just long and fairly quick strokes WTG to mow down all the long stuff.
On my second pass (I only do two passes) I go ATG and use buffing everywhere. The way I do buffing:
- Set the head of the razor on my skin at an angle that "won't cut" and start sliding it back and forth in short strokes -- about quarter inch
- Increase the angle until I can just barely hear a few hairs getting cut -- I generally can't feel them if I have the angle right
- Work this angle in quarter inch strokes for a path of maybe two inches
- Slide the head of the razor back to the staring point -- this re-deposits more cream onto the just shaved area
- Go over the same section again with the quarter inch buffing action
- Back up, re-depositing cream again
- Increase the angle slightly until I can just feel the blade, and make a slow non buffing pass to finish that section
- Repeat for the next section until entire face is "done"
I figured all of this out after I started using an open comb (Goodfella) razor, so I'm not sure if it would work as well with a safety bar razor. The Open comb seems to hold onto the lather and then re-deposit just perfectly on the back stroke. This method sounds complicated and also like my face is getting a lot of blade action, but neither are really true. I can get BBS or DFS (my choice based on time and comfort) in two passes with almost no irritation.
The part I think is "different" is that my buffing passes are just barely cutting anything, yet they are still effective. Anybody else do their buffing like that?
