Thread: third pass problem

Hi, I have been shaving with SE for about 2 weeks now. I am getting a fairly good shave and have no problems with the first 2 passes. However, on my third pass, the razor feels dull. After stropping the razor the next day, I again get a very good 2 passes. Again the razor feels dull on the third pass. I was wondering if I should strop more or switch razors on the third pass.
Appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you

Can you clarify a bit...on the third pass are you going ATG?

Yes on my third pass I am going ATG.

It is very unlikely that your blade is dulling with only two passes. Remember that ATG passes
require more of a blade (for reasons I could explain if you want), and the problems may not
show up until you go ATG.

ATG is the most difficult for some...hence why they dont even bother...lol. Myself I always do ATG, but it does take a very sharp blade and a low angle of attack.

I don't know if this is pertinent but I feel a certain amount of irritation if I go to a third pass. Two seems to be the limit for my comfort zone. Not that the razor feels dull, just that my skin is apparently too sensitive for that third pass.

I had similar experiences when I was starting out. When it came to a third pass using ATG, my skin was irritated and my razor had no affect on it, pretty much shut down. Since I have been SR shaving a while, I can do a third pass using ATG with no problems at all. Of course my technique has changed and improved since I started back in April. Not to mention I now have 8 razors in my rotation and I rotate between 4 shaving creams; maybe all that has made a difference on my skin.

After several months of shaving WTG, XTG, and ATG, I decided to try eliminating the XTG (for reasons of time, not irritation). I found I was getting just as good a result with those two passes as with the three I had been using, and shaved () about 10 minutes off my time as well. Since growing out my moustache and goatee several months ago, I do have to use XTG again in a couple of very small areas, but otherwise I'm BBS with just the two. If you're confident in your technique, you could give it a shot and see how it works.

First ask yourself, is a third ATG pass REALLY needed? You will find, with experience, that you can go without for everday presentability.

Second, if the answer to the above question is yes, then by all means try additional stropping before the final pass to squeeze out some extra keeness. Again, with experience, you will find this may be unnecessary as your technique improves. It's all part of the learning curve.

I don't think there is a problem. IMO, the third pass is to clean up, to get closer to the edges and evaluate. If it is butter, it is butter! A great shave, obviousy! .....get it on..... Tom