Blade buffing?

**AJS** · 05-23-2006, 06:04 AM

With regard to my novice wet shaver status, there are still some technical concepts that I do not fully understand, and this brings us neatly to the title of this thread. What is blade buffing? I understand that it is a type of touch up, but what I want to know is, is blade buffing just another name for the final clean up, or does it refer to a more specific technique? If so I would appreciate someone taking the time to explain the practice to me.
Regards,
AJS

**PoshRichM** · 05-23-2006, 06:26 AM

This is something on which I could use some clarification as well.

-Rich

**Kyle** · 05-23-2006, 06:41 AM

My understanding of blade buffing - when a part of the razor head (not the blade) is used to make first contact with the skin and then pressure is applied such that the skin is manipulated to make the whiskers slightly more exposed. The two ways that I do this:

1.) Hold the razor's handle parallel with the face (perpendicular to the floor) and use the comb to apply pressure while making rapid and short strokes. Yes, this does scrape a little, but will not burn you unless you get crazy with it. I find it to work very well at the base of my chin and on parts of my neck. If the beard is properly reduced, you should be able to buff in any direction.

2.) Hold the razor's handle so high that the blade is not touching the skin. Press the top of the head of the razor into the face and make very slow and controlled strokes. I find this technique to be superb on the sideburn area. I have only used this technique for against the grain buffing.

I only use these two methods for T/C, after I have properly reduced my stubble down to almost nothing.

**With The Grain** · 05-23-2006, 07:05 AM

...

**JMT** · 05-23-2006, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle

I only use these two methods for T/C, after I have properly reduced my stubble down to almost nothing.

What is T/C? Sorry, but I am a newbie too.

**With The Grain** · 05-23-2006, 07:06 AM

....

**AJS** · 05-23-2006, 09:33 AM

Do you do shave the entire face with the blade buffing technique, or is it, as I suspect best used to clean the final patches of stubble for a BBS finish? Finally, is this technique better suited to shave cream, or does it favour the use of a shave oil to make things more precise?
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
AJS

**Jonnybc** · 05-23-2006, 10:46 AM

I do buffing, around the ball of my chin, it guarantees getting everything. Dodn't know it had a name though!

**guenron** · 05-23-2006, 12:32 PM

While I do not know if there is a generally accepted definition for Blade Buffing, Kyle's first paragraph is as reasonable a description as I have seen. I formerly blade buffed until I started using Feathers on a daily basis. The iterative passing of the blade over the same area in short, retrograde overlapped strokes, slowly advancing along the chosen path is really what it is all about I guess. Once I had blades sharp enough to do the job, I no longer required this technique.

**Kyle** · 05-23-2006, 12:40 PM

This article by Brett Graver has a good description. While the whole article is worth the read, the discussion on blade buffing begins around page 5.

**SRock** · 02-08-2009, 06:10 PM

This post is going on 3 years old and I'm only the 13th response? How did this one slip through the cracks?

**Sullybob** · 02-09-2009, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by SlagleRock

This post is going on 3 years old and I'm only the 13th response? How did this one slip through the cracks?

14th! I win...

The poster and the title and questions had me confused. I was thinking that AJS had to know about blade buffing. Then I read the post date 05-23-2006, 08:04 AM.

**OldSaw** · 02-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Holy thread resurrection Batman!!!

**SRock** · 02-09-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Sullybob

14th! I win...

The poster and the title and questions had me confused. I was thinking that AJS had to know about blade buffing. Then I read the post date 05-23-2006, 08:04 AM.

Originally Posted by OldSaw

Holy thread resurrection Batman!!!

That's the beauty of this forum. Sometimes old things get resurrected and a gem is found, humor is found, help for a newbie is found and worst case scenario is that it's just one more place to strike up conversation with a great bunch of guys!