Rinse or no
Rinse or no
Gents....apologies in advance for a real basic question but I'm a real beginner....shave 5 this morning and loving it.
Anyway, I've been doing 4 passes...I have been rinsing with hot water between passes as I've read on this forum somewhere that is the thing to do....my question is that should I dry the face on the towel before I lather up again as it seems to dilute the lather or should I leave it wet and just pass the lather on top.
Again, sorry about the basicness( is that a word...it is now) of the question.
Anyway, I've been doing 4 passes...I have been rinsing with hot water between passes as I've read on this forum somewhere that is the thing to do....my question is that should I dry the face on the towel before I lather up again as it seems to dilute the lather or should I leave it wet and just pass the lather on top.
Again, sorry about the basicness( is that a word...it is now) of the question.
Whether success or failure if you live in the past you'll die in the past.
A quick rinse between passes would be perfectly fine but I wouldn't completely rinse the face and dry it with a towel. I find that a quick splash of water between passes sets up a nice slick layer with the residual lather that is left on the face. Secondly the water helps to refresh the lather that is already in the brush.
Experiment a little to find what works but in the early stages of learning to wet shave it's best to keep a focus on the basics. Once you get the basics down and consistent results feel free to have at it!
Experiment a little to find what works but in the early stages of learning to wet shave it's best to keep a focus on the basics. Once you get the basics down and consistent results feel free to have at it!
Good shaving,
Gary
Gary
My face seems fine....a couple of nicks but no burn...I have to do 4 passes as I think that my shaving angle consistency needs some work. In some cases I think that the angle is either so steep or so small that the razor part is not actually cutting if that makes sense. I have to do 4 to get nice and close. Still not BBS but really close.
Also, I do shave every day....
Also, I do shave every day....
Whether success or failure if you live in the past you'll die in the past.
+1 to rinsing between passes but not towel drying your face -- it counters the hydration effects of rinsing.
BBS is a somewhat mystical thing. It is a common error for newbies to strive for BBS right away. The general thought, however, is that you work on your technique before you worry about BBS results. It's quite a skill to develop, and takes time. Most of us tooks weeks or even months before we felt we were there with our technique.
As Squire notes, 4 passes does seem excessive -- I would think that even the thickest beard shouldn't need more than 3 passes. But -- you know your face better than we do -- ymmv.
BBS is a somewhat mystical thing. It is a common error for newbies to strive for BBS right away. The general thought, however, is that you work on your technique before you worry about BBS results. It's quite a skill to develop, and takes time. Most of us tooks weeks or even months before we felt we were there with our technique.
As Squire notes, 4 passes does seem excessive -- I would think that even the thickest beard shouldn't need more than 3 passes. But -- you know your face better than we do -- ymmv.
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- Assistant Dean SMFU
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Rinsing or not rinsing between passes is kind of optional. I always rinse because the lather that's in my brush needs the extra water. If your lather was already on the wet side you might find that no rinse worked better. Try both, and do whichever one improves your shave. I agree that just a splash of water is often good enough for the between-passes "rinse", and that not cleaning off every particle of lather can actually be an advantage.
I think drying between passes could make your shave worse, and could not make it better in any way - so drying between passes is at best a waste of your time. I'd say leave drying for only the very end.
Four passes is definitely a lot.
I think drying between passes could make your shave worse, and could not make it better in any way - so drying between passes is at best a waste of your time. I'd say leave drying for only the very end.
Four passes is definitely a lot.
yea rinse and dont dry between passes
you should try working on your technique so you can eliminate the 4th pass..probably your 4th pass is more on the touch-up side of things, i would hope any way
depending on your razor and some what on your blade..you want to get the blade angle as close as you can to your face or skin
its easy to find this angle..lay the razors head to your face and angle down
till you can feel the blade start to touch your beard...
in a short time you'll be able to shave all over with this angle.
its called muscle memory.......
when this technique starts working for you..most likely 3 passes will be all you need... keep in mind many members here do passes only
marc
you should try working on your technique so you can eliminate the 4th pass..probably your 4th pass is more on the touch-up side of things, i would hope any way
depending on your razor and some what on your blade..you want to get the blade angle as close as you can to your face or skin
its easy to find this angle..lay the razors head to your face and angle down
till you can feel the blade start to touch your beard...
in a short time you'll be able to shave all over with this angle.
its called muscle memory.......
when this technique starts working for you..most likely 3 passes will be all you need... keep in mind many members here do passes only
marc
I used to rinse after the first pass, however, I no longer do that. After the first pass, I just lather back up again and go for my second and usually last pass. This is a YMMV thing, I believe.
Danny
Danny
Danny
"Because I prefer the cool, clean sweep of the tempered steel as it glides smoothly--" Cary Grant as he is shaving in a scene from "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House"
"Because I prefer the cool, clean sweep of the tempered steel as it glides smoothly--" Cary Grant as he is shaving in a scene from "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House"
- Blue As A Jewel
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Four passes seem necessary for me, but that's for two reasons. First, my razor is a Fusion, which despite its five blades is not as effective a cutting tool as a traditional razor. (If used correctly it's safer and milder though, which is why I like it.) Second, I take care not to "clean up" or re-shave any part of the beard until I lather up for the next pass. This is to avoid any irritation that might result from shaving bare skin.
I always rinse quickly with warm water between passes. It rehydrates the face. While some men prefer a dryer lather, I do best with plenty of water.
I always rinse quickly with warm water between passes. It rehydrates the face. While some men prefer a dryer lather, I do best with plenty of water.
Porter
My response exactly. 2 passes, no rinse. I'm not saying any other way is wrong or right, this is just where I'm at right now in what works for me.Chaps wrote:I used to rinse after the first pass, however, I no longer do that. After the first pass, I just lather back up again and go for my second and usually last pass. This is a YMMV thing, I believe.
Danny
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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Agree. I don't rinse in the sense of washing but to apply some more water to my face. By the third pass, the lather on the brush in the warm scuttle has thickened a bit so this helps.merkri wrote:Rinse? I would say I often wet my face between passes, but whether or not that's a "rinse" is debatable. For me, it's all about keeping the lather wet enough to give glide.
Dave
"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
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- Duke of Silvertip!
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I think I would advocate a decent rinse between passes - I tend to make sure I clear away any little spots of soap that I've pushed around and like to make sure any hair that didn't stick to the blade is gone, too, so as to not interfere with subsequent passes. Plus, agree with an above poster that the added water on your face from the rinse can help the relathering process.
Regards,
Mike
Mike
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