Post Shave #1

At first All I can say is Wow! How can something feel so foreign yet sort of familiar at the same time.

I suppose for me, my biggest hurdles seem to be all occurring during the shave phase at least 4 of them anyway that I can say I observed in hindsight. Finding the right position in my wrist before I took a stroke was probably the one that stood out the most followed by a close second with the use of my offhand on my weak side. Next, remembering to consciously check/correct my blade angle paired with remembering to always stretch especially on the awkward spots would have to be the ties for honorable mentions. In the end this resulted in having 1 cut, 4 nicks and some weepers right around the dimple on my chin. As for the quality of the shave, I would have to say that it feels overall about the equivalent to a shave with my Gillette fusion cartridge razor +6 hours post shave. I do have one area on my weakside and another right under my jaw line that's really bad, like I should probably shave it again in the morning with my cartridge gently while the rest heals. I also have two really good BBS areas, right in the vicinity (both sides) where one would typically have chops probably as a result of that being what felt like the most comfortable wrist position/easiest area to shave. One area that wasn't nearly as easy as I thought it would have been was my neck. I chalk that one up to I always in the past have shaved it against the grain and tonight was all attempted WTG.

As for my pre-shave/prep, I feel really very very pleased with. I took my time but it all just seem to flow and go by quickly. I also really appreciated all the finer aromas and quality feeling that came out of the products I used. I doubled up on trying to help get my wiskers all good and ready by taking a long hot shower plus making myself a hot steam towel wrap. In truth i think the steam towel felt like it did alot more and I could probably get away with just that if needed. Coming out of the shower my scruff was only slightly relaxed and still very coarse feeling when I rubbed it against the grain. After the steam shower it felt a little more like if I had used hair conditioner on it in the shower like bristles on a soft tooth brush as opposed to a Firm moments before. Side thought as I type this, the hair conditioner in the shower on the face doesn't sound like a half bad idea to try out :P. Getting back to the steam towel, I used 4 drops of spearmint essential oil on a hand towel sized piece of cloth, I thought that sure doesn't seam like much... Boy was I ever wrong that stuff goes a hella long way. I probably could have easily got by with just 2 or probably even just one. As for my first Lather creation, I did have one little odd clump that would never dissolve I finally picked it up out of the mug with my fingers and smushed it. It was sort of stiff, I think it was where the container was filled and was slightly over spilled exposed to air making it not so fresh. Either way I still had a lot that made up and it went on nicely. I do need to find a shallower mug and possibly slightly smaller diameter it just didn't really whip around like I would have liked it to in my wrist, I know I can do better than that behemoth coffee mug I'm using.

Getting back to the shave itself, I was using the Dovo Shavette with a red sleeve and the Merkur blade that came with it. Probably more to do with my wrist position than anything I suspect but I did not like the fact that the whole edge was not a blade. Trying to pickup on where the real edge started and stopped seemed to be another minor issue for me. Needless to say I found myself taking off more cream with a plastic edge than I had hope would have happened. Still though all in all a positive experience. I probably spent about a total of 40mins on everything, and probably about 15min if that was showering time.

I think before I try my second shave I will practice with just the empty sleeve on my dry face different angles in the mirror. That way I can explore a bit more as well as possibly visually observe things a bit easier not to mention practice with the ole lefty and stretching :). I'm open to other suggestions.

Oh yea almost forgot my wife gave it the ole look over afterwards. For context she was has not been on board with the whole thing from the get go :P. So after she ran her hand accross my face (specifically the area where it is BBS) she was ohh that is wierd its like smoother than plastic. And with that, I'll talk to you ladies and gents later

Sounds like a good first start. It all gets better from here for a few weeks. And then you will build up too much confidence and whack yourself good. But it gets better again after that.

I know about that spearmint thing. The first time I did it I put way to much on the towel and my eyes started watering. Next time I get a cold, I'll be doing overloading it again because that will definitely clear your head.

STP that's a good one :<0) I'll be grinning over that for awhile.

If you stick with it for a while the shaves get awesome and you will one day wonder how to shave with a DE.

Your wife will get on board when you get more shaves in

A quick note on your lather bowl. I have found that i get a better lather with a wider bowl. I feel like i kinda smash the lather if the vessel is to narrow. this is what i just picked up to try and i have tried it with TOBS creme and 2 different hard soaps and have made my best lathers to date with them all http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...ther-bowl.html . It is a lot wider that what i was using before. YMMV

Good start! Things will only get better from here. I too find that a wider lather bowl works best for me.

So, I thought I would follow-up with a few photos I took this morning after last nights shave for reference. Sorry in advance about the image quality, my phones front camera sucks for selfies :P

Attachment 172589Attachment 172590Attachment 172591Attachment 172592

As you can see (well maybe with these horrible pics) the nicks and cuts aren't all that bad for the most part more like scratches instead of cuts.

I also wanted to post a pic of my starter setup including my mug that I used since several of you chimed in on that aspect. This is all my gear minus my Thayer Witch Hazel and empty prescription bottle for blade disposals I forgot to include in the shot.

Attachment 172593

Good start. By the way, great idea on the empty pill bottle for used blades. I hadn't thought of that!

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

By the way, great idea on the empty pill bottle for used blades. I hadn't thought of that!

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I gotta give the credit to the members of SRP on that one. I did a search on blade disposal and there were several threads on it. All sorts of ideas from a emptied condensed milk can to a kids porcelain piggy bank. I had some expired meds from last year so voila, free disposal container.

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

STP that's a good one :<0) I'll be grinning over that for awhile.

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Sorry you lost me, what is STP?

We'll I'm on my way not sure to where yet :P but I'm getting there or so I think :). Shave #2 and #3 complete. Shave #1 I made a uberlath, shave #2 I swapped to just a soap lath and on #3 I went with just a cream lath, tried a different blade derby vs. the previous merkur as well as a AOS pre shave oil sample in lieu of my musgo oil. I must say wow that AOS oil is so thick they may as well call it grease. Also I really liked the C.O. Bigelow on its own, stuff is so easy for me to use and it forms up so quickly too. So here goes a few questions I have thus far:

1) Preshave oil. Optional or necessary / highly recommended? I find it helps with glide but at the same time makes it very difficult to stretch skin because everything just slides. In turn this effects how close of shave I get because I cant seem to get the whiskers to lift up with a stretch, Am I doing something wrong?

2) Disposable blade differences. I realize by and large the difference will most likely simply boil down to technique/experience for good/bad shaves but aside from that how readily should one expect to be able to tell the differences between blades that work and don't? It's hard to figure out with the multiple variables. I was just wondering if the differences are subtle in most all cases and only really perceived later down the road once one is more proficient OR are some differences so significant you can notice them right away even if you don't fully have the hang of things yet? Again, hard for me to tell with multiple variables.

3)Technique / angles. It seems like a lot of howto's, vids, etc. say the area around the chin and mouth are the toughest but I find them to be a breeze. However, I struggle like crazy on my neck. I mean, it seems so obvious and straight forward but I just cannot find any comfortable angle to save my life, even when practicing in the mirror with no blade and cream. I understand the concept of using your hand for the side its on instead of just using your dominant hand for both. Well that's with my understanding being that the large reason behind dual hands is visibility, please correct me if otherwise. The point I'm headed to is, while I was dry run practicing (no blade) I finally found something comfortable using my right hand on my left side and vise versa. Is this a bad idea to try and if so why? I don't want to start any bad habits but it is the only position I've found even remotely comfortable. I've heard you gotta find what works for you but to what end? On shave #3 I tried to force my wrist to do things I know I really shouldn't have but I still did it just to try and get some angles and nicked myself several good times. Needless to say, lesson learned, don't force something, especially when you know you shouldn't :). Anyway I just cannot seem to either hold the razor properly and/or bend my wrist to the right angle, especially on the upstrokes towards my jaw line. I could really use some tips to try here or some good videos on various strokes on the neck (specifically the back/sides, not front/center).

Thanks all.

Well, I have only been "traditional" shaving for about 10 months. Started with DE, about 3 months with a Feather Artist Club, and about a month with a straight. I can get consistent BBS from my DE and Feather, usual BBS/DFS neck with straight. So for the little my opinion is worth, I will attempt to answer your questions lol.

1)Necessary, No. I am a minimalist. Shower,wet face,lather,shave, and then AS. I have never used a preshave oil. Highly recommended, it depends on who you ask. Some people swear by it. As with most things shaving, YMMV!
2) Ask a ten gents which blade is better, you may get ten different answers. Everyone has their favorites. I have not seen much praise for derby blades, but some guys do like them. I don't think I have heard anyone proclaiming their love of Merkur blades. In my DE I liked Astra SPs. You would probably do best to get a sampler pack. I love the Feather artist club blades, but never tried their DE blades. Astras, personnas, and feathers all have their following, so I would look for them in any sampler I got.
3) The neck is a problem area for most guys. I would suggest doing only N-S or S-N passes in the beginning. Conventional wisdom is right hand for right side and vise versa. Personally I would do whatever you are most comfortable with. I shave mostly with my right hand. I use my left for about half of my left side and have used my left a little on my right side. No one has busted down my bathroom door screaming at me yet:rant:

Beard mapping will help a lot, especially on the neck. I thought I had it figured out in the beginning,but after a closer look found that I was going ATG on the first pass in a couple spots. The stubble on my neck grows all different directions. Sorry for the long reply. Hope it helps and good luck!

Thanks for the reply Jimmy538.

1.) I may just have to try giving it a go with a good lathering and no preshave oil to see how it differs. :)
2.) Yea I gathered there will be some preferntial aspects there by fellow shavers but my question was intended to be more generic in nature. I do have a sampler pack about 9 types in total to try, only tried 2 so far. I guess in the end for me right now I'm not sure if I'm just having a good/bad shave or if the different brands are playing a significant role in the shave.
3.) I dunno my 1yr old may bust down my door if I don't do it correctly :). I'm sure there isn't a trully right or wrong way its just what has been past down as good practice that has been tested, tried and true. So really while I'm not setting out to be rigid I'm also trying to avoid some potential bad habits from the onset. Beard mapping yep, did that actually drew it out on paper before my first shave. my hard areas on the neck both sides grow sideways (horizontal) in the direction towards my ears whereas the center of my neck which is easier grows down towards my chest with a slight sweeping flare outward at the base towards the sides or more appropriately looking like slight hour glass if that makes sense.

Open to more opinions/feedback guys, keepem comin'

TY

P.S. maybe I will try one of my Astras next :)

I used pre shave oil once; didn't like it. Too greasy and no advantage I could detect.

I only use DE twice or three times week, when rushed or traveling, but find that most blades shave the same or close on shave # 1. The real difference in feel come with shaves 3 & up. I've found Personnas and Astras to be smoother feeling and closer shaving for up to 4 shaves.

I have the same neck issue you do, and find it helps my angles and touch to really choke up on the handle, so I don't apply much pressure. That way I can follow the grain easier too.

Good luck experimenting.

Some guys report a huge difference between blades. I have been able to get good shaves with all the blades I have tried. I prefer some over others,but nothing night and day at least for me.

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Originally Posted by RazorCut

So, I thought I would follow-up with a few photos I took this morning after last nights shave for reference. Sorry in advance about the image quality, my phones front camera sucks for selfies :P

Attachment 172589Attachment 172590Attachment 172591Attachment 172592

As you can see (well maybe with these horrible pics) the nicks and cuts aren't all that bad for the most part more like scratches instead of cuts.

I also wanted to post a pic of my starter setup including my mug that I used since several of you chimed in on that aspect. This is all my gear minus my Thayer Witch Hazel and empty prescription bottle for blade disposals I forgot to include in the shot.

Attachment 172593

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Looks like you plucked your head! Good job.

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I only use DE twice or three times week, when rushed or traveling, but find that most blades shave the same or close on shave # 1. The real difference in feel come with shaves 3 & up.

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That makes alot of sense, meaning how it keeps an edge as compared to right out of the gate. I hadn't thought of it like that.

Well tonight will be shave number 4, I gave myself a little extra time to let those nicks heal instead of reopening them. I will give it a go without the preshave oil to see If I like that better. I use to shave completely dry with my fusion and get BBS on one pass everytime back in the day, so I would think this would still be worlds different regarding glide having pretreated my face with water followed with lather.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RazorCut

We'll I'm on my way not sure to where yet :P but I'm getting there or so I think :). Shave #2 and #3 complete. Shave #1 I made a uberlath, shave #2 I swapped to just a soap lath and on #3 I went with just a cream lath, tried a different blade derby vs. the previous merkur as well as a AOS pre shave oil sample in lieu of my musgo oil. I must say wow that AOS oil is so thick they may as well call it grease. Also I really liked the C.O. Bigelow on its own, stuff is so easy for me to use and it forms up so quickly too. So here goes a few questions I have thus far:

1) Preshave oil. Optional or necessary / highly recommended? I find it helps with glide but at the same time makes it very difficult to stretch skin because everything just slides. In turn this effects how close of shave I get because I cant seem to get the whiskers to lift up with a stretch, Am I doing something wrong?

2) Disposable blade differences. I realize by and large the difference will most likely simply boil down to technique/experience for good/bad shaves but aside from that how readily should one expect to be able to tell the differences between blades that work and don't? It's hard to figure out with the multiple variables. I was just wondering if the differences are subtle in most all cases and only really perceived later down the road once one is more proficient OR are some differences so significant you can notice them right away even if you don't fully have the hang of things yet? Again, hard for me to tell with multiple variables.

3)Technique / angles. It seems like a lot of howto's, vids, etc. say the area around the chin and mouth are the toughest but I find them to be a breeze. However, I struggle like crazy on my neck. I mean, it seems so obvious and straight forward but I just cannot find any comfortable angle to save my life, even when practicing in the mirror with no blade and cream. I understand the concept of using your hand for the side its on instead of just using your dominant hand for both. Well that's with my understanding being that the large reason behind dual hands is visibility, please correct me if otherwise. The point I'm headed to is, while I was dry run practicing (no blade) I finally found something comfortable using my right hand on my left side and vise versa. Is this a bad idea to try and if so why? I don't want to start any bad habits but it is the only position I've found even remotely comfortable. I've heard you gotta find what works for you but to what end? On shave #3 I tried to force my wrist to do things I know I really shouldn't have but I still did it just to try and get some angles and nicked myself several good times. Needless to say, lesson learned, don't force something, especially when you know you shouldn't :). Anyway I just cannot seem to either hold the razor properly and/or bend my wrist to the right angle, especially on the upstrokes towards my jaw line. I could really use some tips to try here or some good videos on various strokes on the neck (specifically the back/sides, not front/center).

Thanks all.

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Just my ten cents worth on shave oil. I make my own out of either jojoba oil (feeling rich) or grape seed oil (not feeling rich) base. I then add tee tree oil essence and sandalwood essence to suit, although you can of course use any essence that catches your fancy. I add tee tree for its antiseptic qualities, just be aware it can give a bit of a burn for a few seconds after application. This produces your personalized shave oil for a fraction of the cost.
I don't use the oil pre-shave for the reasons you've already stated, I use post-shave, because I find this very soothing to the skin. Once I've applied it I check my face for any small clumps I may have missed and shave them using only the oil as a lubricant. Once I've done this, I finish rubbing in the oil.
I also use the oil to protect my razors,lubricating the hinge and leaving a light smear over the blade. Give it a try.

WOOT WOOT! Shave #4 winner winner chicken dinner

Best shave yet by far. No nicks, no cuts, no weepers, BBS all around and my first 3 pass shave using WTG, XTG and ATG. I hope it wasn't just all luck but boy is it nice, I'm stoked!

I went with no pre-shave oil, that seemed to be all around better. Also used the Astra Blade and it seemed to just glide better but that could be coincidence and other factors.

Great! Hopefully all goes smooth from here.

good stuff!

keep at it

RazorCut, just a suggestion since you are still in the investigative, experimental stage of wet shaving. For a pre shave (and cheap at that) treatment try, on a wet face, a bit of Cremo or Kiss My Face and then lather over that. And also, to see if you see or feel any difference, try a cold water shave. Start by making your lather with cold water and rinse with cold water after. It has solved a number of problems for a number of members and most of all, for me.

+1 cold water. I use hot & cold,but I now always do a cold water rinse before my last pass. Full cold water shaves are great with a mentholated soap.