What do you consider a BBS shave?

[MajorEthanolic]

So being new to straight razor, shavette, and DE shaving (playing with all 3 currently) and having done a lot of online reading to learn, I always wonder what people mean by BBS. I'm kind of OCD/obsessive when it comes to shaving, because it's something that I have to do 7 days/week due to my job. On first pass with a straight or shavette (not so much with DE), I can get it to where it feels "clean" when rubbing my hand WITH the grain of the hair, but still rough when rubbing against. Takes me 2 passes (1 with grain, 1 against) to be able to get smooth on my cheeks rubbing against the grain, and multiple passes for the neck - and then usually some spot touch ups.

My question - is BBS considered when it's smooth with the grain or is BBS when you can rub the hell out of your face in all directions and feel nothing but skin?

[tcrideshd]

major its just what it says its as smooth as a babys butt! all directions,, I have to shave everyday also ,, but I don't go for bbs on my neck , one pass works so you can not see hair, then I get my face smooth ,, then like most of us you,ll be caught faceterbating during the day! tc

[coachschaller]

The best all around test I have heard of is:
taking a cotton ball and passing it over your face in all directions.
If there are no fibers caught then you have bbs.

[MajorEthanolic]

tcrideshd - "faceterbating"... awesome! I do this constantly. I've gotten up after going to bed to touch up a few areas because I will obsess on them.

[MajorEthanolic]

coachschaller - Ok... glad I'm not the only one this obsessive. I was starting to wonder if what others describe as "BBS" might not be to the extreme level as mine. I can never tell if it's just my OCD nature kicking in. I obsess on the shave until I can feel NOTHING.

[MisterMoo]

A two or three day layoff; 10-licks of a straight on webbing treated with CrOx; 50-60 laps of good leather. Three passes and water touch-up on my neck/jawline. That gets pretty close for me but I am still a rookie, sort of.

Same as above, more time consuming, a third pass with a Rolls Razor. Perfect.

Easier still , faster but slightly more prone to irritate, three good passes with a Gillette DE and a Feather blade.

BBS is like a hobby thing. If you already have a job you can't spend your day shaving to perfection, playing golf or building model airplanes. Retired Old Farts do it whenever they want because they have experience and more time in the morning; young guys, more likely, work on BBS on weekends for the sport of it. I did have a magnificent shave after a three day layoff (Sunday afternoon) and felt nearly clean shaven by late Monday. This morning, after a 36-hr break, a three pass with a DE was also excellent. In any case I can't manage shaves like this 5-6 days/week; a little too rough on the skin or just too time consuming to bother with.

[Lumberjohn]

then like most of us you,ll be caught faceterbating during the day! tc

I just peed my pants a little [emoji23]

[JimmyHAD]

If I can rub in any direction and not feel stubble, that is bbs enough for me. I don't always bother getting it that good. I'm a t to 2, at the most, pass shaver most days. When I was learning it was very important, now not so much.

[MickR]

Same as Jimmy for me. I can get a bbs that is smooth everywhichway, but two passes these days, and I'm done, regardless of the two spots on my neck that need a third pass. I do a bbs on rare occasions to keep my eye in.


Mick

[10Pups]

PINK and smooth :<0) I don't do it every shave because there is no reason. It's not hard, just takes a little longer than normal. If I think my face might wind up on other places just as smooth then yep it's worth it.