Less is More and Other Reflections on the Week

**1OldGI** · 05-02-2009, 06:01 AM

So, one of the huge things I figured out this week is that it doesn't necessarily take 4 passes every time you shave to be very presentable (DFS) or even in some cases BBS. I think from here on in, my weekday shaves will be 2 passes: first one ears to nose, second one straight South /North. I probably wouldn't recommend this, or even do this myself if I shaved 2-3 times a week. Certainly longer stubble will require more systematic reduction, but since, like most of you freaks, the day does not pass that one of my Gems doesn't get some play time, it seems to work just fine. There's absolutely no irritation and even Pinaud Clubman Bay Rum doesn't burn as bad as it did after four passes. I've figured out that the rare irritation that I get (mostly on the neck) and redness, is more than likely the result of simply overshaving and possibly trying to get every possible shave out of a ten cent blade. The latter being a ridiculous obsession that I really must learn to control. I think four is probably a good number of shaves to get from a blade, but I still occassionally find myself hand stropping and telling myself, "Nah, I can get one more out of that." Today's CVS SE blade was on it's sixth shave. Which brings me to my next point.

Not to go all Andy Rooney on you or anything, but did you ever notice that when you're using old school razors (i.e. classic wetshaving), even those shaves that aren't so good are still pretty darned good. This morning was just kind of a lazy Saturday shave, I face lathered some Williams (great soap but definitely not the thickest, slickest most luxurious lather ever), hand stropped the CVS SE blade described in the previous paragraph, loaded it in a Gem Micromatic and away I went. I could tell right away that this was not going to be one of my best ever shaves, but all in all, the blade wasn't tearing up my face or irritating my skin so I just said what the hell and finished up. Being a Saturday shave, I gave it three passes (adding a nose to ears pass to the mix.) At the end of the shave, it was not a great shave, maybe not even a very good shave but the results were still very good. I'm convinced that even with the equipment limitations I had, I still got a far better shave than I ever did with a Mach 3. So, yeah, even a not so good wetshave is still pretty damn good.

**adonnellyr** · 05-02-2009, 09:13 AM

I do the same thing! My technique going WTG is about 10 times worse than going ATG because I only do two passes usually: ears to nose XTG and ATG. I also shave every day and don't have the thickest beard, so I suppose this is why I get away with it. Still, it definitely reduces the chances of razor burn or nicking yourself AND it should get a little more out of your disposable blades since you're doing less passes...

**Giant** · 05-02-2009, 09:39 AM

I agree. Most of my shaves consist of one WTG pass, and one XTG pass. When I really feel like pampering myself, I will add in another WTG, and another XTG the other way. Unfortunately I can't go ATG, I break out in bumps and ingrowns, but I can generally get a DFS with two passes, as you mentioned. Saves a lot of time too.

And yes, any sort of shave with traditional wetshaving gear beats a Mach 3/Fusion shave any day.

**Greyfox** · 05-02-2009, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Giant

I agree. Most of my shaves consist of one WTG pass, and one XTG pass. When I really feel like pampering myself, I will add in another WTG, and another XTG the other way. Unfortunately I can't go ATG, I break out in bumps and ingrowns, but I can generally get a DFS with two passes, as you mentioned. Saves a lot of time too.

And yes, any sort of shave with traditional wetshaving gear beats a Mach 3/Fusion shave any day.

I heard that.

**studman46** · 05-02-2009, 05:13 PM

One XTG and one ATG with my 39c slant and I'm done...BBS.

**Cookie_Junkie** · 05-04-2009, 07:23 AM

Guess you're all right!
I tend to go for this "Less is more" philosophy right now, and just like the OP, I thought of all this just after my skin begged for some rest over a WE to recover from that infamous "5-pass-ATG-finish+touch-ups-gimmedatBBS" shave

For instance, today was just a 2-pass WTG and delivered a DFS i can cope with (YES, MUCH more satisfying and rewarding than an M3 shave

)

Same goes for my den and products, or so I wish. I've been thinking of "streamlining" lately though I am quite still a noob and my den cannot be qualified as impressive or even overloaded

. Of course I love to go for a change, find multiple/good combinations and so on.
Well, I also find it great to stick to one tried and true setup and A FEW products. Hence my decision to go for SOTW instead of SOTD; besides, being consistent makes sense when still working on your technique.

That was just me, going "back" to the basics.

Thanks for reading folks.
C_J

**crocto** · 05-04-2009, 07:52 AM

did you ever notice that andy rooney is insane?

**kingfisher** · 05-04-2009, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Giant

I agree. Most of my shaves consist of one WTG pass, and one XTG pass. When I really feel like pampering myself, I will add in another WTG, and another XTG the other way.

Co-sign. I go WTG and then XTG, and then I'm done. Pretty good shaves, little to no irritation, doesn't take all day.

**1OldGI** · 05-04-2009, 04:26 PM

2 pass shave again today. Ears to nose and straight South/North. DFS or Borderline BBS. Even with the shave being over 13 hours old, I can barely feel stubble. Work day shaves are now 2 passes. I may experiment tomorrow with North South and then South North just to see what happens. Less is indeed more.

**Ru4scuba?** · 05-04-2009, 04:49 PM

Man,

I wish I could do this! But my first XTG almost never gets enough stubble off for me to attempt ATG.

**1OldGI** · 05-04-2009, 04:55 PM

I occassionally get rough spots and breakout on my neck. I'm convinced that no two hairs from my chin to my groin are growing in the same direction. Thus I play with the simple N/S S/N scheme.

**kzoo1** · 05-05-2009, 04:33 AM

I'm with you on the 2 pass shaves. I've started going N -> S for my first pass, which is mostly XTG, and then going ATG on my second. Using a Slant, Injector, or NEW, I have been getting a DFS, and sometimes a BBS shave.

Less is indeed more!

**Cookie_Junkie** · 05-05-2009, 06:13 AM

Hi folks!

And yet another less is more testimony...

Once again, I went for a 2 WTG pass this morning and, well... I just can say I am satisfied with it. What else!?

Mind you, I mean SATISFIED here, ie pleased, not forced into a compromise... I can live with that DFS, I am fine on a week/work day.

I don't know if it is less irritation or the keeping of my D.R. HARRIS Arlington

, but boy, at shave+8 hours, I still feel great and smooth.

Of course, I do not mean I am as smooth as I would, going for BBS, but I like this rather new feeling. I truly feel like there is less stress on my skin. And yet, when I was in this BBS chase/craze, I used a lot (A LOT!) of moisturizing/soothing products like balms and hydrosols. I now wonder if I was not just overdoing it, like overmending it after overshaving it, see?

My point is, what I know now is: as long as I just have to deal with my boss, customers, colleagues and friends, a 2 WTG pass will do.
Which I believe, will in turn also bring back much more pleasure and reward in those few attempts for a true and definitive BBS on some occasions: some WE shaves, nice night-outs, rendez-vous, weddings, birthdays and funerals, well, you name it!

Keep it simple all week long; count me in!!

**1OldGI** · 05-05-2009, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by Cookie_Junkie

some WE shaves, nice night-outs, rendez-vous, weddings, birthdays and funerals, well, you name it!

This was my plan too. I tried N/S and then S/N it was again a DFS but I do think I get better results going ears to nose then S/N. For sure the days of the daily four pass shave are over. Like you, I may do three passes on weekends or special occassions but the two pass shave seems to be more than adequate for daily business. Even with only two passes, my shaves last well into the night before even a hint of 5 o'clock shadow begins.

**ateace** · 05-05-2009, 06:45 AM

I stopped doing WTG every day as well. When I shave on consecutive days, I do XTG / ATG plus touchup and I'm 95% BBS. Now I go WTG only when I skip a day.

**Cookie_Junkie** · 05-05-2009, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Even with only two passes, my shaves last well into the night before even a hint of 5 o'clock shadow begins.

Then you've got a friend in me there!!

Originally Posted by ateace

I stopped doing WTG every day as well. When I shave on consecutive days, I do XTG / ATG plus touchup and I'm 95% BBS. Now I go WTG only when I skip a day.

Mind you; I DO GO WTG, I was rather puting the stress on only using 2 passes. Yet I understand the "simplicity" you find in skipping the WTG pass since you end with an ATG.
In the end, we'll all agree that we are satisfied with less passes and no more rash or irritation to ruin that BBS feeling.
For sure, I prefer the smooth DFS feeling on comfortable cheeks every weekday + the bonus of THAT great BBS feeling from time to times.

**HerrHepcat** · 05-05-2009, 01:06 PM

OK... maybe I do have a thickish beard. No way I could get away with that.

And weird.... ears to nose would be ATG for me.

My solution though... I shave every other day.