What is a BBS, really?

[Teddyboy]

For those of you who believe they have achieved a BBS or are trying to achieve a BBS, what criteria do you use to identify a BBS?

I never think of my shaves in terms of a BBS, in part, because I'm not certain I would recognize one. How is a BBS different than a good old DFS?

I should have asked this years ago.

 

[Mike H]

If you can feel stubble, moving your hand in any direction, then it is not BBS. I gave up chasing BBS a long time ago, now I just enjoy the shave.

 

[djm2]

If you can feel stubble, moving your hand in any direction, then it is not BBS. I gave up chasing BBS a long time ago, now I just enjoy the shave.

+1 on all counts.

 

[jamesspo]

Yep, what Mike said... no stubble felt in any direction.

 

[Lmarkow]

My best friend from college is an OB/GYN. When we see one and other he's the judge. I suspect his criteria differ, but who would know better?

 

[bemiller]

My best friend from college is an OB/GYN. When we see one and other he's the judge. I suspect his criteria differ, but who would know better?

Lol? Anyways I can get BBS on my cheeks which is no stubble in any direction even when skin is taught. I cannot achieve it on my neck primary because there are certain angles I won't hit my neck at.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

Any amount of hair detected by sight or touch negates BBS.

Missed a single hair on some corner? No BBS for you. Can feel or see a small stubble line trying to lay down at the bottom of your neck? No BBS for you. See a patch that feels perfect but shows more shadow than normal? No BBS for you. Single hair that wasn't fully cut because it is hiding in a small patch of irritated, puffy skin? No BBS for you. Etc, etc, and more etc.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

"No BBS for you! Come back, one week." - Shave N•zi.

+1 I like that with the exclamation added. I can't say it without an accent accompanying it.

 

[Myosin]

The only difference between DFS and BBS is the feel. Other people cannot tell the difference just by looking at you.

 

[The Dean]

I believe the cotton ball test would be the most objective measure. Move the cotton ball across your face, in every direction. If you can do this on your entire face, with nothing pulling on the ball, then you might have a BBS.

I probably came closest to a BBS shave yesterday (and today mostly due to yesterday's shave). But I'm never trying for any particular standard. If you do, fine, that's up to the individual. I just shave--and it is usually pretty damn good.

As I like to say, I'm not a baby and my face isn't my butt (though given the names my friends call me, you might question that).

 

[TallyShave]

If you cannot detect wiskers in any direction but your face is buring from razor burn, is that BBS?

 

[Lmarkow]

not in my book

 

[Jerry-built Hustler]

I concur with the definitions previously offered. I'll just note that the only times in my life I've even come close to achieving it, it was accompanied by concurrent bleeding and subsequent bumps and breakouts. Moreover, shaving the next day (or sometimes even the next several days) was out of the question. I long ago gave it up, as it's just not worth it. I still can't figure out if I'm just abnormally sensitive, or if others have a high tolerance for discomfort and don't mind that their faces look at least a little like hamburger.

 

[AndroiDad75]

So can someone say what the difference between CCS and DFS is? Which one is closer to BBS? Today was one of the best shaves I have had. Not BBS, but close, but not sure whether to call it DFS or CCS. Any criteria for that?

 

[Kevan]

I have gotten it routinely with cart razors, but only 95% or so with a DE. A couple times with a Slim or Merkur Slant or Long Handle Classic. Never with a Superspeed or a Fatboy.

For me, the neck is the issue. My hair grows in like 3 different directions on the neck. I long ago gave up trying to get it 100% BBS.

 

[Kevan]

So can someone say what the difference between CCS and DFS is? Which one is closer to BBS? Today was one of the best shaves I have had. Not BBS, but close, but not sure whether to call it DFS or CCS. Any criteria for that?

We call that sort of shave a DFS+. DFS is closer to BBS than a CCS is. And with that sentence, I should qualify for some military job. We have a lot of acronyms here don't we?

 

[oldbluelight]

If you cannot detect wiskers in any direction but your face is buring from razor burn, is that BBS?

That may indeed be Baby Butt Smoooth but the baby has got diaper rash.

 

[Jerry-built Hustler]

We call that sort of shave a DFS+. DFS is closer to BBS than a CCS is.

Wouldn't that actually make it a DFS-?

 

[Jerry-built Hustler]

That may indeed be Baby Butt Smoooth but the baby has got diaper rash.

 

[Kevan]

Wouldn't that actually make it a DFS-?

I'm pretty sure the grading goes BBS > DFS+ > DFS > CCS.

I guess.

I'm confused.