Couple months in, little progress

**giantsfan7791** · 12-22-2011, 12:57 AM

Longtime reader here. I started shaving with a safety razor on October 1 and it's been fairly good since, yet I fell like I'm making very little progress. I will say that in the last couple of months, I have been feeling progressively less irritation, almost none now, yet I find I just can't quite get that BBS shave. In fact, I can't get a decently smooth shave without going ATG. Part of the reason I switched from cartridge razors was so that eventually my shaves would be close enough that I wouldn't need to go ATG, something that was a necessity before. I use a Merkur Classic, TOBS Avocado, a decent best badger brush (not sure the type off the top of my head), and a couple of different blades from a variety pack, though I've mostly settled on Feathers. One thing I've noticed about my beard is that the hairs grow rather flat along my face, though I don't think their so flat that the blade should have trouble getting at them. Also, my beard isn't very full. The hairs aren't very dense but rather more spread out, very much like that of a teenagers (damn genes). If I shave ATG, I find it best to shave every other day. I frequently exfoliate my skin to help prevent ingrown hairs, so I don't think that's really the issue. I also think my techniques rather decent. It's not perfect but I've paid close attention to the blade angle since day one. Any ideas why I'm not getting the results so many others seem to get? Or perhaps some tips to make my WTG and XTG passes better?

**The Soph Gent** · 12-22-2011, 03:19 AM

I am by no means an expert like others here. I have only came back to "the art" a couple of weeks ago but I can tell you about my experiences...
A few things that helped me achieve a BBS.
One - I tried different blades. I started with a Gillette Platinum, then a Derby but then when I tried the Feathers with a Muhle R89, that was the one.
Two - I looked into a 8x magnification mirror and was able to see exactly the way all my hairs grow. I noticed that the grain on my face went straight down BUT a lot of hairs on my neck, under my chain grew almost sideways.
Three - First pass WTG, 2nd pass XTG and 3rd pass ATG. But more importantly you must actually shave ATG. Without knowing which way the hairs are really growing, you may THINK you are going ATG.

I can't achieve a BBS without going ATG. But I did this with other blades and did not achieve a BBS. It was when I used the Feathers that I got it. Also, like I mentioned, see the way your hairs grow. Many can feel them but feeling them didn't help me too much. I swore I was going ATG and still had stubble. When I used the 8x mirror on my 3rd pass, I actually could see exactly which way to go for true ATG. That's when I got the BBS.

The 8x mirror may be overkill but it helped me get my first BBS. You may not have to buy one. Go into a store that has them on display and look yourself. Hope this helps.

**aceinyerface** · 12-22-2011, 03:55 AM

You are still learning, that is all.

I found that experimenting helped me decide what worked best.

I would shave half my face one way and the other side differently, then evaluate over the course of my day narrowing down what works best. I tried a bunch of different soaps, blades, razors, preps, etc... and it comes down to trial and error.

And, I don't always get BBS (does anyone?). Maybe half the time I will get a really great shave, other times, I'll miss something and though I have a DFS I'll know it wasn't as good as it could have been. I think it is kind of like people who go to the casino, you hear from about it when they win, you don't hear about every loss. So, when you read about a BBS shave, take it with a grain of salt.

My suggestion, don't stress over it. You will get there.

**the_edski** · 12-22-2011, 04:39 AM

you'll get there, the thought that keeps me going is even the great Mantic59 said it took him about 4 months to get consistent, good DE shaves. Hang in there!

**chuckr9** · 12-22-2011, 04:46 AM

I think the learning and experimenting proces is part of the fun!

**Greyfox** · 12-22-2011, 05:02 AM

It takes time to get the technique right and get good consistent shaves.

**Greglam** · 12-22-2011, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by aceinyerface

You are still learning, that is all.

This.

And spend more time lathering. If your hairs grow flat you will need to spend more time working them up. And, it may be the case that your brush is not dense enough or is too floppy to really accomplish the task. I, too, started with a "decent" brush. But, it wasn't until I upgraded to a "good" brush that, along with improved technique, that my shaves really started to smooth out.

Relative to seeking the "BBS shave". Stop. Really. You need to work your way through the various stages as your technique improves. Also, a true "BBS" is almost an unattainable, Platonic goal for most people.

In my own experience I found that less is actually more. I went from 3+ passes with hot water and getting a good shave (better, in fact, than anything I ever got with a cart) to 2 passes with cold water and getting fantastic, DFS+ shaves with far less irritation, weepers, etc, than I was getting with 3+ passes. And that was with Derby blades yet!

So, don't be afraid to experiment with more than just your physical set-up. First and foremost, though, the most important elements are technique and prep.

Cheers!-
Greg

**Sledgehammer39** · 12-22-2011, 05:19 AM

Welcome Aboard!

**ackvil** · 12-22-2011, 05:56 AM

I have never used the razor you are using so I can't say whether the razor is not suited for you. However, any razor should be able to get all of your beard (maybe not BBS, but certainly a DFS) if you use the correct blade angle and do multiple passes. So, IMO it is probably your technique that may need some work.

**aggiegrads** · 12-22-2011, 07:17 AM

When it comes to DE shaving, I feel like like my standards consistently outpace my experience. That said, you are no doubt getting better shaves now than you were before you started. I have been shaving three years, and it was probably a year before I felt really proficient at shaving. I still learn new tricks from time to time.

Don't worry, stick with it, and you will be rewarded. Keep a careful eye on angle and pressure and you shouldn't form any bad habits.

**drawonme** · 12-22-2011, 07:32 AM

+1 for aggiegrads. I find that the better I get, the higher my standards rise. Can't ever reach the peak, but usually get at least a DFS.

**takeshi** · 12-22-2011, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Greglam

And spend more time lathering. If your hairs grow flat you will need to spend more time working them up. And, it may be the case that your brush is not dense enough or is to floppy to really accomplish the task. I, too, started with a "decent" brush. But, it wasn't until I upgraded to a "good" brush that, along with improved technique, that my shaves really started to smooth out.

In addition to the above -- tried face lathering?

**Dennard** · 12-22-2011, 07:37 AM

Welcome!

**Greglam** · 12-22-2011, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by takeshi

In addition to the above -- tried face lathering?

Good point! In my post I just assumed that he was face lathering.

**ttrendel** · 12-22-2011, 08:13 AM

Everyone's beard is different, so some are just able to achieve a BBS easier that others. Don't obsess and keep practicing and it will come with time. Having fun with it is what matters!

**giantsfan7791** · 12-22-2011, 10:20 AM

Thank for all the replies. A couple things, I said BBS when I really meant DFS. I'm not exactly looking for some mystical, perfect shave, just a good one. Usually I find that I can get a smooth feeling face but the hairs themselves are still quite visible. Also, I do face lather though after watching a few videos over, I think I may not be lathering long enough. I'll keep trying and working on my technique though. Also, did not know it took Mantic59 so long to get good, I guess I just didn't realize exactly how steep the learning curve was.

**mantic** · 12-22-2011, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by giantsfan7791

...did not know it took Mantic59 so long to get good, I guess I just didn't realize exactly how steep the learning curve was.

Yeah, I was on the slow bus to shaving nirvana but I finally got there. That's a big reason I started making my shaving videos: to help others not make the same mistakes I made!

**ODJ** · 12-22-2011, 05:34 PM

You probably are making progress when you think you aren't. I am only in my second week of using a DE razor (cartridge shaver previously) and thought i wasn't getting any better. Yesterday i used a cartridge (Schick Quattro) and did a three pass shave with a brush and lather and STILL could not get as close as I can, even as a newbie with a DE razor. Granted the cartridge gave me a good shave, and was more even than when i use a DE (but he end of the day after the cartridge shave my beard stubble felt more even around my face, where with the DE razor there are some spots that are ridiculously smooth, even late in the day, while other areas are more rough/stubbly), but I just chalk this up to (lack of) technique and experience since I am new, but know it will come in time.

Go back to the way you used to shave before you started using a DE, and see what you end up with. For me it was sup rising because like you, I did not think I was making progress, but in reality I was!