Hurried a shave with surprising result

[Head Rigger]

Thursday a friend called and asked me to go run an errand with him right after work and I only had a few minutes to clean up and change before he would be by to pick me up. I’d skipped my shave the day before and I knew I would get back late so I decided to try a quick face and head shave.
I loaded up my Merkur HD with an Astra SP, soaked my Bob Farvour finest badger brush, jumped in and out of a hot shower, doing my best to shave prep in the shortest amount of time. I went to the sink, put a generous dab of Proraso Red in my bowl, whipped up a mediocre lather and continued to work it on my face and head.
I went for a 2 pass shave, WTG and a kind of diagonal XTG/ATG being very careful not apply pressure or go over the same spot twice. I was consciously trying for BEARD REDUCTION not BBS. To my surprise I got a very close, smooth shave! I didn’t have any nicks, a few weepers on my upper lip (that I don’t usually get) and no irritation on my neck (that I normally do get)! The whole process was about 15 minutes from in the door to out the door.
I’d be interested to get your take on this. What do you think this quite unexpected result could be from? Am I overthinking my regular routine? Did I stumble on the perfect razor/blade combo as I haven’t tried this one before? Or was this just a perfect storm, never to be repeated?

 

[nwjs]

Or was this just a perfect storm, never to be repeated?

There's only one way to find out...

 

[Head Rigger]

I'm going to give it my best shot at replicating that result tomorrow. I couldn't help myself but try a few new razors the last couple of shaves.

 

[JustJeff]

Sometimes we try to hard and over think what we are doing. My shave for work and shave for my misses are very different things. The shave for work is more for presentation than enjoyment or close quarters inspection. That being said a work shave sans the assistance of my 3 year old is a five minute drill start to finish including clean up and aftershave. It's not. Rushed process but I m not shooting for BBS either.

 

[Porp]

Due to the way my beard grows, I found the hybrid XTG ATG stroke to be key in getting a great shave.

 

[Head Rigger]

Due to the way my beard grows, I found the hybrid XTG ATG stroke to be key in getting a great shave.

I think that may be a big part of it, but I've never heard anyone mention it on here. I stumbled on it by accident and have been trying to refine it with good results so far.

 

[ZZ Hop]

I love these days. Sometimes it helps to not over think things and let the products and muscle memory take over

 

[ThomasB98908]

There are times when I'm running a little late with my routine (cuz I was on puter reading B&B) and have to quick shave. Usually just go for beard reduction but sometimes it does come out DFS or BBS. I think alot has to do with hydration and face conditon but whatever it is, its hit and miss for me on a hurried shave.

 

[ThomasB98908]

WoooWhooooo. 500th post on that last one <G>

 

[franz]

I went for a 2 pass shave, WTG and a kind of diagonal XTG/ATG being very careful not apply pressure or go over the same spot twice. I was consciously trying for BEARD REDUCTION not BBS.

This, I think!

 

[Head Rigger]

WoooWhooooo. 500th post on that last one <G>

Congrats!

 

[redrako]

To my surprise I got a very close, smooth shave! I didn&#8217;t have any nicks, a few weepers on my upper lip (that I don&#8217;t usually get) and no irritation on my neck (that I normally do get)! The whole process was about 15 minutes from in the door to out the door.
I&#8217;d be interested to get your take on this. What do you think this quite unexpected result could be from? Am I overthinking my regular routine? Did I stumble on the perfect razor/blade combo as I haven&#8217;t tried this one before? Or was this just a perfect storm, never to be repeated?

Sometimes the Shave Gods smile on you and we're left trying understand.

Congratulations

 

[Relentless]

Due to the way my beard grows, I found the hybrid XTG ATG stroke to be key in getting a great shave.

Same here. Almost all the hair on my neck grows from left to right. If I go fully ATG right to left I'm gonna have a bad time. I'm still trying to perfect the angle of attack.

 

[KMan]

it was probably just a product of good practice and improving skills

or the shaving gods were upon you....

 

[Head Rigger]

it was probably just a product of good practice and improving skills

I'm hoping that is the case. I'd hate to think I was just doing all this for fun!

 

[ThomasB98908]

Congrats!

Thanks

 

[N2theBreech]

I've had some of my best shaves when I'm really rushed. I haven't been able to replicate the it though. Probably over thinking it.