What's less than a DFS?

B&B Shave?

Funny

Well, That'll Suffice. WTS

I thought I'd shared my goal acronym, but I must have imagined that I did! 

I use RCS, for Really Comfortable Shave. Not my own creation but something that I read. Being as smooth as a polished stone is great, but not if my face hurts. So I shoot for comfort.

1 pass shave is fine by me!

You all make me grin and squinny. Looks like many of my fellow shavers have found hair in their butter too. So I reckon the hunt for the BBS is now history in my book. My hide has been hided, and I must mend my ways. Time's come to shove my bad boy shaving irons back into the holster. (Mr Micromatic and all you other bangtailed chiselers, it's time to put the chairs in the wagon. You're off to the bone orchard. You had your hog killin' days, but I'm done with looking like I've spent the morning chewing gravel.). From now 'til it's adios time, it will be a DFS of the first water only on the Sabbath. The other days, ol' Bouki's going to be tickled pink with a fair to middlin' shave, and he'll be calling it one of these:

1. FS Fine shave
   
2. CCS Close Comfortable Shave
   
3. Meh
   
4. SAS Socially Acceptable Shave
   
5. GE Good Enough
   
6. B&B (Do I dare go here?)
   
7. RR Rodeo Ready
   
8. WTS Well, That'll Suffice
   
9. RCS Really Comfortable Shave
   

As lovely and even as the number nine is, may we not have additional acronyms?

BAD: Barely acceptable denouement.

A little off topic but Bouki, but if you started having skin trouble after years of no trouble that suggests that something is wrong. A lot of things can effect skin: diet, vitamin deficiency (surprisingly common and exacerbated by certain medicines) , endocrine issues (e.g. thyroid) and some worse things (think kidneys). Finally, dermatitis due to changes in bath/shower soaps and shampoos.

A place to start is with Vitamin D and E supplementation. Also minerals like Zinc and Magnesium. Sometimes collagen, etc. Get your thyroid stimulating and creatine levels checked, etc.

This is worth exploring.

A little off topic but Bouki, but if you started having  skin trouble after years of no trouble that suggests  that something is wrong.  A lot of things can effect skin: diet, vitamin deficiency (surprisingly common and exacerbated by certain medicines) , endocrine issues (e.g. thyroid) and  some worse things (think kidneys).  Finally, dermatitis due to changes in bath/shower soaps and shampoos.

A place to start is with Vitamin D and E supplementation.  Also minerals like Zinc and Magnesium.  Sometimes collagen, etc.  Get your thyroid stimulating  and creatine levels checked, etc.

This is worth exploring.

Thanks for your help, Tedolph! I think most of my irritation can be traced to my environment. For most of the year, it's hot and sticky here in Paradise. My skin – which was bred and born on the cold dry plains of Wyoming – hasn't made the hop too well. Hives and heat rash are just a part of life here. I also have to keep in mind that I'm getting on in years, and my hide's just not as resilient as it used to be. Thankfully, though, I've found that soaps that are rich in clay (kaolin, bentonite, green, rhassoul, etc.) offer the reliable protection I need. Several brands such as Joserra, Eufros, Oaken Lab, Mike's, Declaration Grooming, Mystic Water, and the old Valobra (how I miss it!) are becoming fast friends. 

Shaves these days are turning out close and comfortable, and once again I'm able to use heavier and more aggressive razors. Life is good! I hope you're finding happy solutions, too.

A beard

There's some funny responses in here. I like dtownvino response of beard. I have had a couple of less than shaves in the last month or so. The shaves were comfortable and what for the most part was visibly passible. What made the shaves less than stellar? Noticing 15min after the shave where I missed a couple of little patches. One time was under the chin and another time I missed a little spot below the nose. If spotted in real life by a fellow wet shaver sporting a little missed patch, I'd probably be laughed out of shavedom.

I'm guessing these couple of shaves were the result of some of the faster shaves. It isn't uncommon for me to have a faster shave where I am fitting in a 2.5 pass shave within a 5 minute window. Not like I am trying to rush it but I can enjoy a quick shave and just get it done. My shave today was a little more leisurely at probably 6 minutes and it was smooth and irritation free. I don't remember the last time I've gotten BBS. Probably requires something around 4 pass with how much against and across the grain buffing. I can always settle for less unless I am really chasing it for some special reason. Most importantly, I try not to take off too much skin with too many passes.

Speaking of skin irritation Bouki , something I have to try and avoid is cat/dog hair around my face if I just shaved. Tends to flair up and itch for a couple of hours and kind of looks red like razor burn. Hopefully things get back to smooth sailing skin wise. I know climate in the winter is when my skin is dry and it's easier for me in the hotter months. Bring on the sun!