Finally getting a BBS shave on a regular basis!

Well it's taken about a year of getting reacquainted with DE shaving (did it briefly as a kid), but I'm getting a BBS on a regular basis with little to no bloodshed. I think the first big step in my progress came after about 5 months, when I finally felt confident to go XTG and went from two to three passes. Next step was at about 6 months when I became a cold water shaver. I was getting a lot of nicks and cuts with warm water, and switching to cold seemed to make my face more cut resistant while also providing a firmer surface for a closer shave. And the cuts I do get close easily with a cold water rinse. Next, after about 8 months, I hit upon a blade that seemed to work best for me - the Gillette Silver Blue. I've probably used around 25-30 of them, and each one has given a close, comfortable shave and has been reliably good for 4 shaves. Also around this time I switched from a Semogue 620 boar brush to an EJ best badger. This has given me a sturdier lather, and provided the additional benefit of leaving the top of my shaving soap relatively flat, where the Semogue sort of hollowed it out. Finally, a couple of weeks ago I added a 4th pass to my neck and jawline, using a stroke that's midway between WTG and XTG.

Maybe it's silly, but I really love that extra little feeling of pride and accomplishment at a job well done, and also enjoy how even my stubble is the next day! Best of all is that I enjoy shaving once again, much like when I was a kid 40-plus years ago.

Just curious, did you ever do the cotton ball test?

I suspect that many shavers don't fully realise just how close a shave must be before it can be called a true BBS (as in: a cotton ball swiped across your face should not leave traces in any direction).

Personally I am happy with a close DFS ... true BBS is mainly academical for me. The most important news is that you found a shave that works for you, I would say!

Congrats. Isn't that a great feeling?

Congrats, quite an accomplishment!

one day....

Congrats!

Its great to hear that you have found a set-up that works well for you. Congrats on your success....well done!!

What is a DFS shave?

The cotton ball test is the answer. I have been getting BBS for quite some time now and once you get used to it nothing else will do.
congratulations on your sucess! It is an accomplishment!

Well done!

Nothing like a BBS, congratulations. I have been DE shaving for about a year, and I know the feeling of achieving the shave you are looking for. Once I found the products that were most appropriate for my face, it became much easier to achieve the closest shave I could achieve.

I also use the Gillete Silver Blue blades and love them. I strictly use them with my Merkur Vision 2k. I also use Polsilver with my vintage Gilletes.

Again, congrats and enjoy those shaves!

Congrats - - job well done. Feles good doesn't it???

Thanks all! It is a great feeling. By the way, I wasn't aware of the cotton ball test, instead I just relied on rubbing my face in a circular motion like the B&B abbreviations for a BBS says. I don't have any cotton balls, but my wife uses some little pads to wipe off makeup, and these appear to have cotton on them, so maybe that would work.

That's awesome, congrats! I also enjoy going for a BBS every time if possible. It's difficult for me to do it after just 24 hours without tearing my neck up, but if I am extremely careful and go slow, I can usually pull it off. Sometimes, like today, I will still find a slight detectable rough spot an hour or so after the shave, even though when I rinsed off, there was no detectable stubble. Still, I'm okay with that, cuz the other 95% of my neck is smooth as could be. If I let my beard grow out another 12 or so hours, I can usually get that coveted BBS a little easier.

Happy shaving!

Chops57 said:

Thanks all! It is a great feeling. By the way, I wasn't aware of the cotton ball test, instead I just relied on rubbing my face in a circular motion like the B&B abbreviations for a BBS says.

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In my opinion, most people's fingers are not sensitive enough to spot the difference between a "near BBS" DFS shave and a true BBS shave.

I am a terminology fundamentalist ... goes with my profession

The beauty of BBS is that it is so precisely defined: absolutely no stubble left in any direction.
The "cotton ball test" is a reliable way to draw the line between a DFS and a BBS.

Right on, Dude! A close & comfortable shave is so rewarding as it's the result of a well applied skill.

Benjamin_Kisebach said:

What is a DFS shave?

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DFS = Damn Fine Shave

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/170867-DFS-BBS-What-does-it-mean-and-what-s-the-standard

Well done!


Although I don't search for a BBS every morning due to my sensitive skin, I appreciate when BBS "happens".
I usually go for a DFS shave indeed, I'm clean shaved and ready to go!

Felling good...thats what its all about

I'm fine with a DFS if it's been less than about 20 hours since my last shave or I'm in a rush. Still feels way better than what I got with disposables.