How Many Passes Do You Take?

Usually two plus a light touch-up.

Glad this was posted as I had a similar question so hope it's okay to add this. I consider a pass to be one that I lather my face. So I usually do 3 passes with a clean up pass or 4 passes with a cleanup pass.

The added info I was wondering about is how many times you go over the same area without relathering. If I were to say I do a 3 pass shave the assumption is that the razor only comes into contact with my face 3 times. In reality for me I might go over the same area 2 or 3 times on a a single lather which is why residual slickness is important to me. So for me there are sections of my face that may be gone over 8-10 times.

Is this the same for others or am I the exception. The saving videos I have watched seem to show going over the same place multiple times within 1 pass (lather).

Glad this was posted as I had a similar question so hope it's okay to add this. I consider a pass to be one that I lather my face. So I usually do 3 passes with a clean up pass or 4 passes with a cleanup pass.

The added info I was wondering about is how many times you go over the same area without relathering. If I were to say I do a 3 pass shave the assumption is that the razor only comes into contact with my face 3 times. In reality for me I might go over the same area 2 or 3 times on a a single lather which is why residual slickness is important to me. So for me there are sections of my face that may be gone over 8-10 times.

Is this the same for others or am I the exception. The saving videos I have watched seem to show going over the same place multiple times within 1 pass (lather).

I go over "trouble spots" without relathering, but not much. It can cause irritation. Like you, I really appreciate an ultra-slick lather with residual glide for this purpose. I have a couple spots right on the back of my head that never seem to get 100% clean, and I always go over them an extra time or 2 during my ATG pass, but I do have to be careful doing so, to avoid irritation. Unfortunately, the same 2 spots that are extremely difficult to shave cleanly, are also susceptible to irritation more than other parts of my head. Double trouble in 2 locations...

Glad this was posted as I had a similar question so hope it's okay to add this. I consider a pass to be one that I lather my face. So I usually do 3 passes with a clean up pass or 4 passes with a cleanup pass.

The added info I was wondering about is how many times you go over the same area without relathering. If I were to say I do a 3 pass shave the assumption is that the razor only comes into contact with my face 3 times. In reality for me I might go over the same area 2 or 3 times on a a single lather which is why residual slickness is important to me. So for me there are sections of my face that may be gone over 8-10 times.

Is this the same for others or am I the exception. The saving videos I have watched seem to show going over the same place multiple times within 1 pass (lather).

I think a lot of us probably do that.  I know I do and that is one reason I use a pre-shave oil and also why I look for superior soaps.  Like BadDad, I have two stubborn spots, in my case under my jawline, and I used to go over them multiple times with each pass.  Then it dawned on me that it's under the jawline so who the heck will notice?  If those spots are only DFS but the rest of my shave is BBS then big deal.  Better that than unnecessary irritation.

Just the standard for me:

1. With the grain
2. Across the grain
3. Against the grain

Because it works well.

Just the standard for me:

1. With the grain
2. Across the grain
3. Against the grain

Because it works well.

That's how I do it too. With the grain is downward, across the grain is from the center of my face outward on each side, and against the grain is upward from the base of my neck. I touch up a few spots by my ears and under my chin without re-lathering.

Most of the time, I'll do three passes...WTG, XTG, ATG and then a clean-up on my neck, chin, and jawline.

But I have to admit, after reading this thread I may need to change this up. I have been wet-shaving for just over a year and during that time, I've had more razor burn than I had in 25 years of using a disposable (although I never went ATG or even XTG with a disposable). And despite that burn, I absolutely love and look forward to my shaves. This thread has shined some light on my current technique/procedure. It just seems that the BBS or close-comfortable-shave is not always attained by everyone. And I have known for awhile that it isn't necessary and I shouldn't be "going for it" every time. So it is really nice to read others don't get that BBS or CCS shave nor is it a goal when they start the shave.

Is this the same for others or am I the exception. The saving videos I have watched seem to show going over the same place multiple times within 1 pass (lather).

I do the same thing...as long as I have a good lather going. I've had some lathers that just weren't slick (my fault, not the soaps) and I know better than to do what you're describing. Unfortunately, I learned that lesson the hard way

Just the standard for me:

1. With the grain
2. Across the grain
3. Against the grain

Because it works well.

Sometimes I do this. Usually on a Sunday morning or something when I have lots of time. Most of the time I skip the across the grain pass.

2 passes, both with the grain. I get ingrown hairs if I go any closer. I also have sensitive skin, so this avoids irritation as well. I couldn't shave every day until I switched to DEs.