Third pass trick

My method, which I've been doing for years is a variation of this.  I face lather all three passes, then after the third pass I'll do a final face lather and let it sit while I'm cleaning my gear. I then rinse my face and check for any areas one last time that may need extra attention.  This way I get maximum exposure to the goodness contained within the lather.

Same here.

Shaking My Head

I've named this post Aion Method vs Basic Technique.
After three decade plus in wet shaving communities, I'm sure of this.
Avarage people do not read, and do not apply the basic technique.
Always looking for products, when the focus should be the technique.
Because as always ... "Technique trumps tools".

I plan to create a blog post about it. My goal is to popularize and encourage widespread adoption of this technique.

Very nice. Maybe add the main points too about basic technique.

1. Prepare the shave
   
2. Hydrate enough the soap
   
3. Use the personal face mapping
   
4. Use the other hand to stretch the skin
   
5. Use the passes consciously
   
6. Control the cutting angle
   

The method has three primary benefits.

What are they?

The solubilized lather is significantly slicker than in earlier stages of the shave.

Really?!?!?! Maybe It just needs more time / water / work ...

There is nothing new when it comes to shaving, and no need for three passes for most shavers. Don't believe everything on the internet.

Holy words. Applyable not just on the internet ...
Chritical thinking should be always the way.

Gnarly neck grain is not uncommon, and the only answer is thorough prep.

Not sure. I've chronic dermatitis, before undertanding and applying a good technique I've tried tons of products.
Good prep helps a little for sure, but does not solve the problem.
In the last 25yrs I've not this issue anymore.
Even without pre or post treatment ... with a good soap.

My recommendation is to experiment to find what works best for oneself.

Holy words.
I'd like to add ... studying and understanding before what It is.

Some years back I ran a poll to see the relative frequency of various ways of shaving.

Me too. Several poll in the last two decades. It's always fun.
They show the same result. People (mostly) do not read, and do not know / use a proper technique.
This way many lovely products are misunderstood, and other are overvalued.

Although I love Mohammad's soaps and scents, his Third Pass Trick does not work for me. The reason I that my third pass is not my final pass. I make sufficient lather in a bowl to do four shave passes (WTG, XTG, ATG, and then a clean-up pass). Each pass is done with minimal pressure. That is they only way I can get a BBS shave with zero irritation. Furthermore, rather than applying a post-shave product, I apply a 5th lather for conditioning my skin. That lather remains on my face until I have cleaned up all my shaving gear. Only then do I rinse my face.

With my very best soaps, I can still feel the conditioning properties of the soaps for 24 hours after the shave. The only time I need to use a post shave balm is when the outside temperature here in Northern Illinois drops below 10F (-12 C). Of course, if I lived in Phoenix where the temperature is supposed to reach 120F later today, I might want to apply a moisturizing balm as well.

Although I love Mohammad's soaps and scents, his Third Pass Trick does not work for me............
...........
Of course, if I lived in Phoenix where the temperature is supposed to reach 120F later today, I might want to apply a moisturizing balm as well.

And some menthol to the lather!!

I tried this method this evening. Fwiw, I didn't notice any difference between this and my normal brushing on the last pass.

I guess it's a ymmv thing? I dunno.

...........
Of course, if I lived in Phoenix where the temperature is supposed to reach 120F later today, I might want to apply a moisturizing balm as well.

And some menthol to the lather!!

Maybe for you, but no menthol for me. Rather than cooling my face, menthol makes my face feel like it is on fire.

I don't really understand this trick...after two passes, I usually let my fingers trace the neck
and face area and it tells my which area needs some additional buffing. Then dab some
lather on the area and proceed. I don't always follow through unless I need that pristine shave...if it
looks fine I let it slide.

That's my "trick", folks!

Rather than cooling my face, menthol makes my face feel like it is on fire.

+1


Not the synthetic cooling agents.
Better cooling, with no issues.

Rather than cooling my face, menthol makes my face feel like it is on fire.

+1


Not the synthetic cooling agents.
Better cooling, with no issues.

While synthetic cooling agents are not as bad as menthol, they still irritate my sensitive face. I tried Nobel Otter Orbit hoping it might be OK, but I still get irritation, so I no longer use it.