How Many Passes Do You Take?

Generally 3+touch up if I have time.

WTG.
XTG.
ATG.
Touch UP.

I rarely do more than one pass anymore. I may touch up a few spots with excess lather, but I go straight to against the grain on my neck, and then do across the grain on my cheeks/jawline/chin and with the grain on moustache area.

With the right prep, razor, and a sharp blade it's not an issue and it saves me a couple of minutes. The razor doesn't glide as readily on a single pass as it does with each pass on a three pass shave, but it works and I don't have tugging. I'd liken it to allowing your lawn to grow for a few weeks and then trying to cut it back all in one pass with the mower rather than raising your mower deck and going over the lawn multiple times, if that makes sense.

That said, it works for me though and only one pass means I rarely have any skin irritation or razor burn. I wouldn't try it with a mild razor, dull blade, and subpar lather though.

I also do a single pass on my head. Against the grain on the sides and back, across the grain on top of the dome. I've found slants to be my favorite for head shaving.

The only time I go three passes anymore is if I've gone a week or more without shaving, or if I'm just wanting to relax and spend some time alone in my thoughts.

Face shaves = three passes with a bit of touch-ups.

Head shaves = two passes on the front/top (less hair), three passes on the side and back with touch-ups (still have hair, here).

3 + touch-up, usually -- because BBS. If a little pressed for time, 2 + touch-up. If very pressed, 1 + touch-up.

For me, two passes. One pass strictly with the grain, then a second pass with slight variation (but still mostly with the grain).

With relatively sensitive skin, this seems to work best for getting a good result without irritation. Using a very efficient razor also helps — I’d rather do two passes with a medium-aggressive instrument than 3–4 passes with a mild one.

Just one if the teacher forgets to put a date on it. And undated Hall Pass is about the most valuable thing a student could have.

Just one if the teacher forgets to put a date on it.  And undated Hall Pass is about the most valuable thing a student could have.

A couple of years ago I got a speeding ticket and the officer neglected to fill in the court appearance date if I wanted to contest the ticket. That saved me $275 and 3 demerit points so thats almost as valuable as an undated hall pass

Most of the time, I'll do three passes...WTG, XTG, ATG and then a clean-up on my neck, chin, and jawline.

But I have to admit, after reading this thread I may need to change this up.  I have been wet-shaving for just over a year and during that time, I've had more razor burn than I had in 25 years of using a disposable (although I never went ATG or even XTG with a disposable).  And despite that burn, I absolutely love and look forward to my shaves.  This thread has shined some light on my current technique/procedure.  It just seems that the BBS or close-comfortable-shave is not always attained by everyone.  And I have known for awhile that it isn't necessary and I shouldn't be "going for it" every time.  So it is really nice to read others don't get that BBS or CCS shave nor is it a goal when they start the shave.

FWIW,

I only did two WTG passes during the first year of my traditional shaving. I tried this kind of shaving only because after moving to Northeastern USA I was having serious shaving issues specially during winter. So getting comfortable shaves was a priority for me.

Not trying to lecture you, but as a fellow wetshaver, I can say this: think of getting BBS as a journey, a rather long one. Not something you have to get today. Take care of your face as you only have one. Beards - they come and go

Definitely not a lecture @"iamsms"...it's great advice and I appreciate it. I started with the 3-pass shave right off the bat. But that was mainly because that's what I was seeing in the youtube videos. Unfortunately for me, I didn't discover DFS until I'd been shaving for a couple months.

Thanks for posting the video Tbone . That's one of the first videos I've seen where they don't praise getting BBS. I was able to get BBS on my cheeks within the first couple of tries DE shaving and within a couple months, i was able to get the neck rather easily. It's the jawline, chin, and upper lips that still cause the problem.

As a retiree, I generally take my time and enjoy my shave.  I usually do 3 passes: WTG, XTG. and ATG except with my neck where I will do all three passes WTG.  Sometimes I need a little cleanup.  Now that I have the time, shaving is a real joy for me. I take my time and  and enjoy it .  I didn't feel that way when I was working and using carts and had to be in a hurry.

Seems like several have noted that the number of passes depends on the amount of time they have. I'm lucky in the fact I have a job that is flexible in terms of where and how long I work. Because of that, I'm able to "make time" to enjoy my shaves in the morning before work. But I have had some days when it was necessary to get it done fast. On those days, I like to use one of my Schick Injectors and do a two pass (WTG,XTG) shave.

BTW johnz3333 , congrats on the "retiree"...I sure hope to make it there someday