How close . really?

[Crowden]

Hey guys - I've been honing my "skills" for a few weeks with A Merkur 180 long handle and EJ DE49, along with an assortment of creme/soap/pre-post/etc. One bit of fun was trying to validate any differences between Merkur and EJ and also between Feather and Astra blades through a multiplicity of left face/right face, blade exchange, etc. But the item of interest at the moment is "just how close are we taking?" I've got a pretty heavy beard and even if I get it so that there's no feel of it whether with or against the grain, there's definitely stubble in the evening, unlike what I've heard from some. Physically impossible that it could stay that smooth that long; it just grows too fast.

BUT, that still leaves open the question of "What do people REALLY mean when they say BBS?" As in, after 3 passes, is it so smooth that, without any lubricant on the face there's no sign of any hair on cheeks and neck even when moving one's fingers fully against the grain? I can get it that smooth but it takes quite a bit of touch up after the three pass and also isn't the road to happily un-irritated skin. That is, after working to get it undetectable, an application of Alum will definitely make itself known with some ouchie. And even after all that, five minutes afterward I can always detect some minor stubble by feel (if not by eye).

So I'm curious if others can do a 3 pass, not have their skin sensitized, AND have zero stubble feel anywhere on the face afterward. Or is this just a hold grail to shoot for which doesn't really happen in real life?

Thanks a bunch,
Crowden

 

[Crowden]

I get that smooth not a hair or nub to be found in any direction on 98% of my face. My cheeks are the smoothest and like a baby's skin. There were, for years, nickle size spots that were always missed under my jawline though but that's it. However those are spots I never worried about. Now in the past few weeks I have been getting those spots and without touch up. So I'd have to say "YES" I have been getting smooth as a baby's butt and it isn't a holy grail thing. After almost 6 years of DE shaving it seems to happen now without trying and with minimal fanfare, fancy equipment or prep. Now I don't worry about it. I know when to walk away from my shave and it's earlier than one might think.

Yes, nickel sized spots under the jaw. That's what, at the moment, I have to do touch up on each time.

 

[StubbleTrouble]

I get that smooth not a hair or nub to be found in any direction on 98% of my face. My cheeks are the smoothest and like a baby's skin. There were, for years, nickle size spots that were always missed under my jawline though but that's it. However those are spots I never worried about. Now in the past few weeks I have been getting those spots and without touch up. So I'd have to say "YES" I have been getting smooth as a baby's butt and it isn't a holy grail thing. After almost 6 years of DE shaving it seems to happen now without trying and with minimal fanfare, fancy equipment or prep. Now I don't worry about it. I know when to walk away from my shave and it's earlier than one might think.

How many passes are in your routine? I hope I have your results to look forward to.

 

[Cobra0369]

My chin, jawline (near ear) and Adam's apple are are always the worst. Without shaving it 50 times, I cannot get a BBS in those spots. Don't worry about it so much. Chances are, you're the only one who knows it isn't BBS.

 

[Aristeros]

My chin and a few spots on the neck always require significant touchups beyond 3 passes, and most of the third pass is essentially focusing on these areas.

 

[Ron Scott]

2 passes on the face, 3 + minor touchup on the neck and I'm baby smooth and irritation free about 70% of the time. Shave every day.

People are different. Some need to skip a day here and there. Some can't get BBS without irritation. Some don't care about BBS and just clean themselves up.

You got to find your own path with this stuff.

 

[StubbleTrouble]

My chin, jawline (near ear) and Adam's apple are are always the worst. Without shaving it 50 times, I cannot get a BBS in those spots. Don't worry about it so much. Chances are, you're the only one who knows it isn't BBS.

SWMBO will feel out a sub-BBS shave in no time! I told her I'd come around to it at some stage in my shaving career and I think I can get my neck pretty close already if I try. Face is still a challenge though.

 

[Lockedin]

I do get regular BBS shaves on both face and dome. My beard is not that thick, but the whiskers are wiry, and my hair is fine, and nearly non-existent up top).

Face - 2 pass (WTG / XATG), + touch ups

Head - 1 pass (ATG) + touch ups

It's 4:30pm (PST) right now & I'm just a bit below DFS after shaving at 5:30am. By morning I'll have just enough there to justify another shave...


How - Consistent prep, & using a winning setup. My SOTD posts are really boring - almost always using my Grandfather's Flare Tip (mild but effective), and B&B Essential Boar Brush.

Now I don't worry about it. I know when to walk away from my shave and it's earlier than one might think.

So true! When I try new gear, or just have an off day, I've learned (the hard way ) to avoid trying to push it.

 

[Crowden]

I've noticed the same as Emanon re the loose versus tight and have been drifting along the "less taut" route. But reading Emanon's writeup about eliminating angles was interesting. I'll be trying that tomorrow morning.

And to Cobra0369, I don't worry "so much" about much of anything. But I've got a pretty large analytical bump and it's not uncommon for my "just doing normal research into life" to be confused with "worrying about stuff."