3-5 passes depending on a lot of things, I haven't still really set anything in concrete since I'm still experimenting. Two WTG passes for starters seem to be a tad excessive, might do a XTG instead of the second WTG and then move on to the ATG...
No this is my (the husbands) account, I let her post with it in the PIF thread so she could feel special. But thanks guys for the responses. This makes me more confident that I am on the right track.
Usually three: WTG, XTG, XTG (one E-W, one W-E); plus some touchup. This usually gets me DFS, and close enough to BBS to give me severe cases of faceturbation throughout the morning.
OMG I am not the only one! And there is a name for it. Seriously I thought I was a severe dork for this and really thought I was probably the only one. Oh I feel so much better.
Anywhere from 2 to 4. Two pass is WTG, ATG and used when I'm in a hurry or really tired and just want to get to bed (I typically shave at night). Three pass is "standard" WTG, XTG, ATG. When I want BBS and a super relaxing luxurious shave I go to four passes WTG, XTG, XTG, ATG. Touch-up along jaw line in all cases.
I will proudly admit that faceturbate daily. Since I started DE shaving, my face has been smoother and felt better than ever before in my life and I like enjoying that. How could anyone shave this way and NOT faceturbate!? As to how many passes, I make the "classic 3": WTG, XTG, ATG. Sometimes there is a little touch up on my chin and under my jaw, if needed.
Usually 3 to 4 passes I can't do more than 4 without too much irritation. Usually I'll do 3 and then some touch up.
Usually 3 passes with my Mach3 (still waiting to get a DE): WTG, 2XTG. And then touch ups. ATG passes always end up with ingrown hairs and irritated skin
Four. Everytime. One with, one across, another against, and a final pass of whatever-direction-I-need-to-get-a-close-comfortable-shave. Sometimes I use blade buffering for that last pass.
I've only been doing this a week and a day. The first week I did one pass, straight down. This week, I'm doing 2 straight down and one straight up and will be doing this for 3 weeks as I seem to recall mantic recommending in his vids. Seems to work. Very little irritation and no blood. Doc.
WTG, XTG and a touch up. I can go ATG on my cheeks, but anywhere else gets irritation so I don't usually bother.