The Two-Pass Challenge

[Gingerbread]

I have been experimenting with my R41 to see just how close a shave I can possibly get with two passes. Today, I came damn close to BBS (90% smooth, only a couple barely rough patches) by going WTG and ATG. Normal prep, as always, just a shower and Nivea scrub. Used Proraso Green (face lathered) and a 3-shave-old Astra SP.

As I continue experimenting, I want you all to join in. Can you get BBS in two passes?

Only two rules, no straights and no touch ups - once the cream is gone the second time, that area is done.


If you succeed, what's your...

• Pre-shave ritual
• Cream/soap and lather technique
• Razor and blade
• Pass technique (WTG/ATG, Face mapped, V shape XTG/XTG)

Good luck and happy shaving!

 

[Merkur25]

I only ever do a 2 pass shave

 

[JDTTO]

I try to limit my shaves to 2 passes but generally do repetitive strokes within one pass so maybe that's considered as cheating. To me, lather gone does not mean slickness gone (with good products).

I do not shoot for BBS but I have gotten very satisfactory close DFS this way with a tech, a humble derby and some Tabac.

 

[skleice]

2 pass is my standard operation as long as I shave every other day. Once I hit day three, the third pass is necessary. With my sensitive skin, I find that using an aggressive razor and fewer passes eliminates any redness.

 

[Gingerbread]

Yeah, I was doing 3-4 passes with the R41 the first couple weeks I used it. I'm just now trying it out with 2 passes and it works just as good...XTG pass just seems unnecessary.

 

[Wildalaska]

I routinely achieve two pass BBS, with the caveat that I have to touch up a few spots (adams apple) that either require touch up or I miss. I have done one pass BBS if I really work at it (touch up required of course). I prefer the 3 pass with touch up since it is easier.

 

[Gingerbread]

I routinely achieve two pass BBS, with the caveat that I have to touch up a few spots (adams apple) that either require touch up or I miss. I have done one pass BBS if I really work at it (touch up required of course). I prefer the 3 pass with touch up since it is easier.

What razor do you use? Do you WTG/ATG?

 

[Wildalaska]

What razor do you use? Do you WTG/ATG?

Razor I use depends on beard legnth (ie days between shaves). If its a 24 hour shave, I will use my Black Beauty set on 9 for the first pass, then an R89 for the second (and third when I do three pass shaves which is most of the time plus touch up). If its more than a 24 hour beard, then my first two passes are with the Black beauty. I only use Feather Blades, the highest quality creams (YMMV) ie Pens, Floris, T&H and I shower shave using Nivea pre shave scrub. Two pass shaves are XTG and ATG. Three pass shaves are XTG, WTG and ATG or WTG, XTG and ATG or any combo and sometimes I will just use the R89.

One pass BBS has the following limitations: 24 hour beard. New blade. Either BB or Floris. Nivea scrub, then coconut oil, then face lather squeezing out all the lather from brush. Strokes are short XTG. I can do it with either the R89 or the Beauty, although its easier and faster with the Beauty.