How Many Passes Do You Take?

In general I think that three and one will do it for most shavers.
However, some have tougher beards that might need more passes and some have lighter facial foliage that requires less.
Of course the razor, the blade and to a lesser extent the soap can also make a difference.
But technique is very important.
I think that the difference between BBS and sandpaper is often in the sensitivity of the feeler's fingers.

Mickey

I think that the difference between BBS and sandpaper is often in the sensitivity of the feeler's fingers.

Well said, Mickey!

Honestly it depends on the DE I am using. Sometimes three passes and touchups. Sometimes two. I've never had a BBS shave from just one pass obviously. I don't chase BBS though it either happens or it doesn't. There are some DEs that I'm really careful with and some that I'm not. I don't push my luck with the R41 or my PAA DOC aluminus. I do with some of my less aggressive razors though.

Three passes and touchups for me. I find I can consistently do that 7 days a week, each time getting bbs or near, with little or no skin irritation. Life is good.

I usually do two passes, but i make so many touch ups and trying to shave everything away on WTG and \XTGATG passes, that three passes probably would be faster and easier the skin )

I do three passes on most days. But I find that two passes is just fine for me when I am short on time

Honestly it depends on the DE I am using.  Sometimes three passes and touchups.  Sometimes two.  I've never had a BBS shave from just one pass obviously.  I don't chase BBS though it either happens or it doesn't.  There are some DEs that I'm really careful with and some that I'm not.  I don't push my luck with the R41 or my PAA DOC aluminus.  I do with some of my less aggressive razors though.

Pretty much what Dan said. Although I tend to stick to two regardless of razor. I learnt the lesson early on not to chase BBS and have since accepted that not every shave allows me full faceturbation without a shed of resistance. In fact, I suspect I'd rarely be left without a single trace of cotton on my face if running a cotton ball all over my face post shave. *Go easy on me, Drill sergeant*

(A little off topic: What I have been doing recently with milder razors such as the Wolfman Guerrilla, is to use buffing strokes instead of the unidirectional. Not as quick as Mantic does in his advanced shaving techniques video, but going back and forth, moving a little further away from starting point with each single buff. With great success: as smooth a shave, but ups the efficiency. I could have gone with a third pass, maybe, but still feel that this is gentler on the skin.)

Edit: Ok, I tried giving the link to the video link only, but it just keeps popping up in-line. So here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQco5PWc2JU

Honestly it depends on the DE I am using.  Sometimes three passes and touchups.  Sometimes two.  I've never had a BBS shave from just one pass obviously.  I don't chase BBS though it either happens or it doesn't.  There are some DEs that I'm really careful with and some that I'm not.  I don't push my luck with the R41 or my PAA DOC aluminus.  I do with some of my less aggressive razors though.

Pretty much what Dan said. Although I tend to stick to two regardless of razor. I learnt the lesson early on not to chase BBS and have since accepted that not every shave allows me full faceturbation without a shed of resistance. In fact, I suspect I'd rarely be left without a single trace of cotton on my face if running a cotton ball all over my face post shave. *Go easy on me, Drill sergeant*

(A little off topic: What I have been doing recently with milder razors such as the Wolfman Guerrilla, is to use buffing strokes instead of the unidirectional. Not as quick as Mantic does in his advanced shaving techniques video, but going back and forth, moving a little further away from starting point with each single buff. With great success: as smooth a shave, but ups the efficiency. I could have gone with a third pass, maybe, but still feel that this is gentler on the skin.)

Edit: Ok, I tried giving the link to the video link only, but it just keeps popping up in-line. So here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQco5PWc2JU

Thanks for the video halvor , this is just an example of the fact that there is always something to learn or to try in wetshaving. One thing, however, which I believe everybody knows, you can always use more cowbell!

Petronius,

Usually I take/need three passes and a touch up.

Often on the cross grain pass I will go back and forth which I guess should be classified as a fourth pass.

Sometimes - rarely - only two and a touch up are enough.
But I enjoy shaving so much now that I may ignore the need for only two and go for three.

After almost 6 years of Wet/Traditional shaving I think I can judge reasonably well when the fault is my lack of technique or my lack of attention, my failure to make a decent lather, a poor razor (usually Valet), or a bad or exhausted blade.

Mickey

Marko.

Thank you for the Mantic59 film.

Mickey