Thread: Righty Tighty; Lefty Loosey

Shave #153 - Last One

QCS Tallow Candle Shave Soap
Semogue 2012
DOVO Palisander 6/8" (60)
Hulk's Smash
Gentlemen's Tonic AS Balm

Today was 2 passes with an additional pass on the neck. I have an overall DFS/CCS. Not bad, but I think I'll refresh the blade before my next shave, as I'm getting noticeably better results off the WISS with less dependence on fancy blade work. Still, 60 shaves with a high proportion of them being 4-pass shaves, that's not bad for my first straight razor edge.

Shave #153.1 - Got That DE Feelin'

I went with the DE, just cause I felt like it.

Petal Pusher Fancies (PPF) Sandalwood Shave Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (2)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum
Gentlemen's Tonic AS Balm

Nothin' to say - BBS.

Shave #154 - Refreshing

It is getting a bit warm. I felt the need for a refreshing shave, not the full Vostok, but...

Proraso Green Shave Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
Don Jae Chopper + Gilette Blue Blade (1)
Alum
Hulk's Smash
Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave

Another 2-passer, with an extra pass on the neck. I'm BBS on the face and most of my neck, just a small patch of DFS+ around my Adam's apple. I did pink myself twice, once when the corner of the razor blade got caught up on the fat in my cheek. A bit common with this shavette - the corners of the DE blade are right there, waiting to bite. Second, on the chin, but I'm not sure what happened. Neither was too bad, and the alum took care of it. The alum was amazingly silent by the way.

Shave #154.1 - Work Stress Shave

A busy time right now, so I'm just kind of catching a shave on the run.

PPF Sandalwood Shave Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (3)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum
Gentlemen's Tonic AS Balm

Changed it up a bit, and just did 3 passes with a touch up on the neck. I'm pretty much BBS. The reason I changed my routine is I was finding the shave a bit harsh, like I was using too much pressure, so I didn't want to do my normal 5 passes on the neck and end up with a rash. As it was, the Captain's Choice did protest a bit, stress - I guess.

Shave #155 - VOSTOK!!!

Time for my beloved...

QCS Vostok Shave Cream
Semogue 2012
Don Jae Chopper + Gillette Blue Blade (2)
Hulk's Smash
Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave

A very refreshing shave. 2 Passes on the face and 3 passes on the neck and I'd call it an overall DFS. My skin feels nice and cool. Happy Tuesday.

Shave #155.1 - Groovin' on the Vostok

QCS Vostok Shave Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (4)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum

I did a 3-passer with a bit of touch up on the neck. I'm BBS, except a little touch under my chin that is DFS.

After 4 shaves, the Feather feels a bit like the Astras on their second shave, in terms of sharpness. I'll probably change it out after this shave, but it occurs to me that I should try throwing it into the shavette, as I tend to like a smooth (less sharp) blade in there. Maybe I could get another shave from each side of the Feather.

Shave #156 - A Different Kind of Refreshing

So, I refreshed my DOVO today. I did it differently from how I refreshed the WISS. If you recall, my refreshing of the WISS was kind of in-between a refreshing and a honing. Today I did a more pure refresh on the DOVO - 7 laps on the Norton 8K (abbreviated x-strokes) with just water, 5 laps on felt with 0.5 micron diamond spray, followed by my normal daily stropping routine (20 on rough leather and 70 on smooth leather).

QCS Vostok Shave Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
DOVO Palisander 6/8" (1)
Hulk's Smash
Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave

The DOVO is plenty sharp, it mowed through the whiskers nicely, but the edge has retained some of its smoothness. It doesn't feel as sharp as the WISS, but the DOVO also doesn't feel quite as likely to cut into flesh. I did a very quick, and frankly careless, 2-passer with an extra neck pass, and I'm BBS on the face DFS on the neck. Almost as good a result as the WISS, but a bit smoother and more comfortable on the skin. I'm not sure which edge I like better, they both work fine in their own way, and this proud Papa loves them both equally.

You might feel like you're using the same angle as your other hand, but quite often you won't be. (At least that's how it was with me when I was learning how to shave with my left hand.)

Shave #157 - Compare & Contrast

Hi quicksilver, thanks for reading. I assume that you were trying to reply to a much earlier post. Keep reading - <spoiler alert> I get the left hand under control. ;-)

QCS Vostok Shave Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
WISS Ugly Duckling 9/16" (5)
Hulk's Smash
Baxter of California AS Balm

Two on the face and three on the neck and I'm darn close to an overall BBS. The edge on the WISS is cutty, cutty, sharp, sharp. I can get a real close shave without too much effort. The downside is there is a bit of harshness to this edge. The Hulk's Smash gave me a slight twinge. Also, this edge doesn't distinguish between whisker and skin. It is really happy to slice into anything, and does require operator attention. The DOVO's edge inspires much more confidence. The DOVO is like driving a sedan, while the WISS is a sports car. Each will get you there, but they're different experiences.

Shave #157.1 - Tough to Beat

QCS Vostok Shave Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (1)
Hulk's Smash
Baxter of California AS Balm

BBS.

As much as I love my straight razor shaves, for me personally, it is really hard to beat the results I get with a DE. It is almost always an efficient, non-irritating, BBS. How are you supposed to argue with those results? I still prefer the straight razor, but it is a bit about the experience. Though I can get lovely results from my straight razors, it really is hard for me and my straight to compete with the consistent results and efficiency of the DE.