How many passes does it typically take to get a good straight razor shave?
I've been shaving with a straight for about 4 months now, and I can get a decent shave in two passes.
From all that I've seen and read -- Lynn's dvd, Joel's demo shave (on the video that Mantic posted on YouTube), Dr. Moss's book, and Joel's writeup in the Interactive Guide - I thought two or three passes would do the job.
But getting bbs or close to it takes 4 or 5 passes. Getting the mustache and goatee areas bbs, as I do with a DE, takes another 3 or 4 passes. (Yep, that's about 8 passes all told to get the upper lip smooth as glass.)
Should I be able to do this in fewer passes?
I'll try to answer some obvious questions in advance:
* Yes, my blades are sharp. I've had them honed, by Lynn and by others. And I have a 4-sided pasted paddle that I've used when I thought it was needed.
* I do stretch my skin.
* For prep, I use Kyle's method. I rub the lather in, then use a hot towel or two. I spend between 5 and 10 minutes on my prep, and it seems to be adequate.
Two passes would be enough for me if I wanted to settle for a "decent" shave, but "decent" isn't enough for me anymore. I've become addicted to smooth skin, and I'm willing to spend the time it takes to get it. My technique has definitely improved over time but I wonder if I'm unusual in taking so many passes.
I've been shaving with a straight for about 4 months now, and I can get a decent shave in two passes.
From all that I've seen and read -- Lynn's dvd, Joel's demo shave (on the video that Mantic posted on YouTube), Dr. Moss's book, and Joel's writeup in the Interactive Guide - I thought two or three passes would do the job.
But getting bbs or close to it takes 4 or 5 passes. Getting the mustache and goatee areas bbs, as I do with a DE, takes another 3 or 4 passes. (Yep, that's about 8 passes all told to get the upper lip smooth as glass.)
Should I be able to do this in fewer passes?
I'll try to answer some obvious questions in advance:
* Yes, my blades are sharp. I've had them honed, by Lynn and by others. And I have a 4-sided pasted paddle that I've used when I thought it was needed.
* I do stretch my skin.
* For prep, I use Kyle's method. I rub the lather in, then use a hot towel or two. I spend between 5 and 10 minutes on my prep, and it seems to be adequate.
Two passes would be enough for me if I wanted to settle for a "decent" shave, but "decent" isn't enough for me anymore. I've become addicted to smooth skin, and I'm willing to spend the time it takes to get it. My technique has definitely improved over time but I wonder if I'm unusual in taking so many passes.