Never against the grain

[R181]

When I was working and just needed to shave one WTG pass was all I did. When I got into shaving with a straight razor a few years ago I had to relearn everything I thought I knew about shaving. I had to learn to take my time and be precise. I had to learn how to make a really good lather because close was not going to be good enough. I had to learn to really watch the angle and weight on the blade. You just could not be as sloppy as with a DE and get away with it. I actually found I was starting to really enjoy the act of shaving because of all that.

I now do a 4 pass shave daily with one of the passes being ATG and a hybrid pass that includes ATG on parts of my neck. I do the same 4 pass shave with a DE or SE also. That kind of effort is not necessary as most would never know the difference from looking at you nor care. Point is though it can be done without irritating your skin to hell.

I'd say do whatever works comfortably for you and your needs. I do that for myself.

Bob

 

[wintoid]

I tend to do three passes, 1x WTG and 2x ATG. I don't get irritation at all if I use the BBS1 or the Blackbird. Those are really the only razors I use these days. I get a pretty much BBS shave every day now, and no longer have any desire for other razors. Hoping your barber is wrong about it ageing my skin, but it won't stop me.

 

[OJ82]

I tend to do three passes, 1x WTG and 2x ATG. I don't get irritation at all if I use the BBS1 or the Blackbird. Those are really the only razors I use these days. I get a pretty much BBS shave every day now, and no longer have any desire for other razors. Hoping your barber is wrong about it ageing my skin, but it won't stop me.

I'm a bit off the subject now, but how is the BBS-1 compared to the blackbird? I have the blackbird and I'm also on the list for the BBS-1, so I am just wondering,
when my name comes up, is the BBS-1 realy worth bying or is it so popular because of it's rarity?

 

[DevonStan]

I tend to do three passes, 1x WTG and 2x ATG. I don't get irritation at all if I use the BBS1 or the Blackbird. Those are really the only razors I use these days. I get a pretty much BBS shave every day now, and no longer have any desire for other razors. Hoping your barber is wrong about it ageing my skin, but it won't stop me.

Can I ask which Blackbird (V1 or V2....what finish and what handle?) Inside leg measurement and National Insurance Number not required on this occasion.

For the record I wouldn't dream of a one or two pass shave. I might be exaggerating sligfhtly but one pass would leave a wire brush finish, two passes - sandpaper, three passes - smooth and pleasant, a final buff where appropriate up makes sure I haven't missed anything. Only time I had a bad reaction was when using a Braveheart with a Feather blade and kept going over bits I felt needed doing again....bad mistake!

 

[Lord Fatboy]

The best barber shave I've had was in the middle of the Himalaya (Kullu Parvati valley). 10 rupes (7.5 pence - 1 crown at the time) for a three pass shave, with a 99p plastic shavette that a Western barber would only use for thinning hair & what I thought (for years) was an mysterious and ancient green ayurvedic shave soap & balm (it was Palmolive). The worst shave was a barber supposedly famous in Edinburgh for giving good shave, but it was just awful.

Usually do WTF then XTG left to right, then right to left and can get BBS that way with the right razor. I do ATG now and again with certain razors.

It clearly doesn't do any harm to those it doesn't do any harm to (barbers know as much as they need to know, and like everyone, fill in the rest from god knows where).

I don't believe for a minute that it prematurely ages skin.

 

[Darkbulb]

Always two passes - WTG followed by ATG. Works for me

 

[Godfather]

Always two passes - WTG followed by ATG. Works for me

Plus one for me. I just need a couple of swipes to touch up! The one thing that shaving with a SR is that you don't need to chase a BBS...

 

[halvor]

WTF

And I like, WTF, YOLO and then went, like ATG and poop and bob's your BFF and I got a BBS and acronyms are great!

Or what?

 

[MrK1]

Depends on the razor.

Couldn't do ATG with most razors without getting irritation.

Now I use a Blackbird or King Cobra or RX or Kai Excelia or Ikon SE and don't have a problem with going ATG.

 

[DevonStan]

I saw a reply along the lines......

I have from the second bach (V2 I think). Machined finish, 101mm handel. I realy like that razor alot

But now I can't see it. I presumed it was in reply to my query above asking what Blackbird was being used.

I only had a couple of glasses of Asti with my supper just now...someone tell me I'm not seeing things.

 

[OJ82]

I saw a reply along the lines......

I have from the second bach (V2 I think). Machined finish, 101mm handel. I realy like that razor alot

But now I can't see it. I presumed it was in reply to my query above asking what Blackbird was being used.

I only had a couple of glasses of Asti with my supper just now...someone tell me I'm not seeing things.

I'm sorry. It was me that posted that message, but when I realised that you replyed to another person I deleted it

 

[DevonStan]

That's not remotely a problem. The more I hear about the Blackbird...and the more I use one (I have one on loan at the moment) the more my interest is aroused.

Thanks.

 

[OJ82]

It's maybe a bit different then alot of other razors, but when you learn to use it, you will never regret it! I truly like it!

 

[Lord Fatboy]

And I like, WTF, YOLO and then went, like ATG and poop and bob's your BFF and I got a BBS and acronyms are great!

Or what?

Ha ! Thanks for pointing that out. I do do "what the f*ck", but not in a shaving context.

 

[Looney12345]

And I like, WTF, YOLO and then went, like ATG and poop and bob's your BFF and I got a BBS and acronyms are great!

Or what?

ROFL