Logic behind multiple pass shave

[Mr Daniel]

I can either do a one pass XTG shave or two pass ATG shave. I've tried doing a one pass ATG shave and it wasn't comfortable.

 

[santamariasteve]

It works because the beard grows at an angle from your skin. Rub your hand over your face, and you feel it smoother in places going in one direction and rougher in another. The smooth is with the grain, in the same direction the beard is growing, and the rough against the grain, moving "head on" against the beard.

The effect with shaving is that shaving with the grain slightly pushes the beard down. True, it cuts it short, but if you rub your hands against the grain, you'll still feel stubble. When you shave against the grain, the blade sort of "catches" under the beard instead of slightly pressing it down, letting you cut closer, in effect cutting it slightly under the skin. This is why those prone to beard bumps are frequently told not to shave against the grain. Shaving across the grain is sort of neutral in that it hits the beard "sideways," so to speak.

With shaving first pass with the grain, you're thinning out the stubble, but pushing it down slightly so you don't cut as close. Following across the grain catches the beard from a different direction, cutting it closer, and since it's already thinned, it makes the shave easier. Next using against the grain, you're catching the beard, cutting it off slightly under the skin, and since it's already thinned out some, there's not as much resistance.

Yes! Yes! Yes! An outstanding post!

 

[mata777]

Because there is still lather in the brush .

You win!

 

[cryhavoc]

A one pass shave has never worked for me, it always left stubble on my face. My facial hair grows in some weird directions so even with a Sensor or Mach 3 it took WTG, XTG and ATG passes to get a smooth face.

But if one pass works for you then stick with what works!

 

[brandaves]

I have been doing a three pass shave + touch ups when I have time. When I am rushed I still make time for a two pass shave. I do it because I get better shaves...without at least two passes I have a lot of stuble left over, I don't look too bad but I can feel it and want something closer. That seems pretty logical to me. If more passes = better shave, then do more passes. If not, then don't. If there is one thing I've found here, its that no one person can tell you what works best for you. We all use different razors, blades, brushes, soaps, creams, pre-shaves, aftershaves, etc. We all have different beard toughness, skin sensitivity, growth patterns, etc. the bottom line is that ultimately you have to try things and find what works best for you...that's logical enough. The reason I keep coming back to B&B is that I learn something new to try and see if it works for me every time I login. YMMV is always the motto, and it's a good one.

 

[Donnchadh_Sempill]

Logic? What's this about logic?!? Where's the logic in owning 14 antique razors, six brushes 4-5 different aftershaves, but being perfectly happy with sevral pucks of the cheapest and perhaps the most loved/hated soap in existence?

Logic? We don't need so stinking logic!

Seriously, though, I get much better shaves with 4-5 passes (N-S x 2, nose-ear, ear-nose and S-N).

 

[Go West Young Man]

Sounds like there's 2 questions being addressed here -

Why multiple passes? As said, a bit of "you never get everything the first time" and a bit of "OCD gone mad".
Why passes in different directions? Because longer hair will a) make the blade skip a bit and b) require more pressure to cut, both causing irritation to your skin.

 

[EternalBachelor]

When you shave ATG, the blade is tugging on the hair instead of smoothly gliding through. One pass ATG is not going to get all hair.

 

[TexLaw]

Logic? What's this about logic?!? Where's the logic in owning 14 antique razors, six brushes 4-5 different aftershaves, but being perfectly happy with sevral pucks of the cheapest and perhaps the most loved/hated soap in existence?

Indeed! Logic clearly dictates that one should own a hell of a lot more than that!

 

[FatboyFan]

I used to start with a WTG pass before moving on to XTG and WTG. I find now that I can skip the WTG pass as long as not more than a day has gone by since the last shave. works for me and save a little time. I doubt it would work for everone though.

My beard grows kind of east-west and in some weird variations and sweep as well so it's easier to go down and slightly into the grain on the first pass. It clears quite a bit of the whiskers without irritating me.