Thread: Righty Tighty; Lefty Loosey

That is scary how stupid people can be especially when he confesses all he has to do is ask his make and he knows it all wrong anyhow. Glad it wasn't Russian roulette

Shave #8 - Let's Getter Done

L'Occitane Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
DOVO Palisander
Gentleman's Tonic AS Balm

Had some business to attend to so did a quick (my) standard 3-pass shave. Everything went smoothly and the XTG pass was my best yet - did a better job of skin stretching. Alum on the fingertips really does work. A little clear water touch up of the hairs under my nose and it was off to the races.

Result: A quick efficient shave. Light stubble when running my fingers against the grain, though a fine looking and comfortable shave. No time for experimentation, but glad to know I can get in, grab a shave and get out in reasonable time, around 20 mins. with stropping, clean up and post shave care. A giant win!

Shave #9 - I Regret That I Have But One Face To Give

T&H 1805 Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
DOVO Palisander
Alum (needed)
Gentleman's Tonic AS Balm

After yesterday's quick shave, I took to the shaving den (really more of a cubbyhole, but lets keep the romantic 19th century illusion), planning to take a long relaxed shave and experiment a bit. For the first time in my life I look forward to shaving and even wish my hair grew a bit quicker, so I could get back in there quicker and try some new things. I really enjoy practicing manual skills, so for me this is almost like working on a craft, a process I enjoy. First 2 passes as normal, N-S, W-E E-W, and all went smoothly.

My 3rd pass (usually S-N) I changed things up a bit. I only lathered the neck, keeping the cheeks dry for pulling neck waddle up over my face. Pulled as much neck skin as possible up onto my jawline and stroked the blade E-W (ATG). It seems to work well for me as a way to get an ATG pass on the top part of both sides of my neck. Then I tried something recommend by OCDshaver for shaving sideways on the neck. I opened the razor as wide as possible, so the back of the blade and scales were almost touching. Then, holding the scales and blade in my right hand, shaved the right side of my neck E-W (ATG). It worked really well on the right side, but proved awkward on the left.

See link for a photo of this technique:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ml#post1028821

So on the left side I did some upward scything strokes and worked on better skin stretching in the area. End result BBS on right side of neck and pretty close to the same on left side.

Then I lathered my face for a S-N pass. It went well. Both cheeks BBS. Decided to spend some time working on the mustache area, which has been a troublesome spot from the get go. I've been uncomfortable with the steep angle I have to use to get under the nose and kinda scoop the hairs away. After two-handing the blade in there a bit, I'm more comfortable with it, and seem to have gotten an okay shave in the mustache area for the first time.

Was impressed by the two-handed approach to the center of the face, so I tried it S-N from the top of the chin to the lower lip. Actually, I think I was probably moving my lip down over the blade more than moving the blade.

I wanted to keep experimenting, but alas, my skin said no. The alum block let me know that I had tried more than enough new things for one day.

Result: Almost all over BBS, just a couple small spots that are not quite there. Not a totally comfortable shave - I did overdo the farting around. But, there is no lingering redness or other signs of abuse.

Paid a bit of special attention to the stropping today. Tried to get so that I was rolling the razor smoothly with my fingers rather than wrist. Progressed there. Then I noticed a tendency to lift the toe off the strop at the end of the back stroke. Think I corrected that, but will have to watch for it in the future.

Random thought that popped into my head while shaving today: Be sure to at least wear underwear while shaving, so if you dropped the razor, that's all you lose.

Darren

Shave #10 - The Ugly Duckling Comes out to Play

L'Occitane Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
Whipped Dog Razor (the tang is hard to read, I think it says WISS)
Alum
Gentleman's Tonic AS Balm

The Whipped Dog sight unseen (flawed) razor got the call today. It sure ain't much to look at, and I have admit that aesthetics play a role in my enjoyment of this experience, but it turned out to be a nice shaving little razor.

I used it today because I wanted to experience a different kind of edge. My DOVO was honed on a coticle. I think Larry probably used man made stones. The difference? Minute. This razors edge felt a bit more cutty, if that makes sense. Maybe a bit sharper/severe feeling. Both work equally well and feel okay on my skin. I guess I might prefer the coticle, it feels a bit smoother to me, while still cutting about the same on my face. Am I wrong in guessing that after a few shaves you're actually shaving off the leather strop and the way it was honed becomes less and less noticeable?

Anyway, I didn't experiment much today, but just tried to work what I learned yesterday into the beginnings of a shave routine. The little 4/8" blade really whipped around my face and I quite enjoyed the lightness of it. It really encouraged me to use a light touch. The smaller size was great for getting under the nose, compared to the 6/8" DOVO. But, the old metal blade smelled like a farm equipment barn, bringing back not totally pleasant Saskatchewan farm memories, aesthetics again...

Result: Darn fine shave everywhere, under my chin and mustache better than usual, no nicks, no discomfort,...can't ask for more.

I have trouble seeing myself in the mirror when doing the first few strokes from the left ear down. My 'skin stretch' right arm/hand is blocking the view) The right side is fine, no blocked view... weird. (use my left hand for support)

I use the method shown on Youtube by Geofatboy.

I find you don't really need to see at all. I can't see the razor all the way down my left side from about an inch below my ear. I stretch the skin using my second and third finger of my right hand. It's not my 'skin stretching' hand blocking the view but my razor hand. I sweep quite a bit in this spot as I try to go ATG there on my first pass (my hair grows sideways there) by sweeping the toe across. I do this towards my goatee without seeing the razor edge at all. I stop when I feel the razor up against my beard. I'm not advocating shaving with your eyes closed, but the sense of touch is very important.

Darren (previous poster) wrote: "For the first time in my life I look forward to shaving and even wish my hair grew a bit quicker, so I could get back in there quicker and try some new things. I really enjoy practicing manual skills, so for me this is almost like working on a craft, a process I enjoy."

Exactly. Its like meditating.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I find you don't really need to see at all. I can't see the razor all the way down my left side from about an inch below my ear. I stretch the skin using my second and third finger of my right hand. It's not my 'skin stretching' hand blocking the view but my razor hand. I sweep quite a bit in this spot as I try to go ATG there on my first pass (my hair grows sideways there) by sweeping the toe across. I do this towards my goatee without seeing the razor edge at all. I stop when I feel the razor up against my beard. I'm not advocating shaving with your eyes closed, but the sense of touch is very important.

Yeah, I guess its my razor hand too that's blocking the view. Not the stretch hand.

It really is meditative. :-) A nice little mini spa experience as well.

As for seeing the blade, I agree with carlmaloschneider. I'm probably shaving as much by feel as by see. Some places I just can't really see and try to feel the blade as it cuts. Also, something's are happening that just aren't visible. I try to feel if the blade is bunching my skin up in front of it, or going to snag on some tough whiskers, etc. it adds to the Zen of it.

My 2 cents for whatever they're worth.

I think I can shave blindly as well, but I vastly prefer to be able to look in a mirror when shaving. Such a handsome face... *cough*