Thread: Tried dry-wet-shaving...

Hello getns!

wanted to share: today I tried for the first time to not clean my SR with water between strokes, but to wipe it with a wash-cloth. The results were amazing... BBS on 90% of my face. This is remarkable, considering I'm always having trouble with my neck.. This is the best shave I've had yet.
So here are some insights from the event:

1. Nothing changed except for the towel. same lame soap (arco), same lame synthetic brush, not a new blade. Face prep as always - coconut oil before shaving > wipe > 1st pass WTG > shea butter > 2nd pass ATG > 3rd pass (corrections). No shower before, no hot towel.

2. So what did change? the towel, of course. This might seem minor, but changing just one thing from my routine made me more mindful of what I'm doing. I haven't been this focused on my angle, pressure and whereabouts of my blade for a very long time. It took me out of my comfort zone and lengthened my shaving time, and it was amazing. It actually forced me to be a newbie again, only a smarter, more experienced newbie...

3. Not the cleanest thing I've done, I admit, BUT the post shave routine was relatively easy... the blade was almost dry, and more important - no water anywhere on the scales and pivot! So no hot-air drying necessary...

Get out of your comfort zone once in a while :] It helps...

Yes, if you are going to change your routine change only 1 thing at a time so you will know what changes made a difference if any. Dinged a blade once on a faucet when I started so ever since I wipe my blade off on a damp sponge. Easy clean up, just rinse sponge, squeeze out and let dry for next time. The only time my blade goes near the faucet is for a final rinse when I finish shaving and I can concentrate on what I am doing with the blade and not my shave. So far so good.

If you are worried about bacteria/bugs growing on a sponge or towel simple place the damp sponge/towel in a microwave and nuke it for 1-2 minutes. Careful handling after they sure do get hot.

Kitchen Cleaning - How to Clean a Sponge

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, if you are going to change your routine change only 1 thing at a time so you will know what changes made a difference if any. Dinged a blade once on a faucet when I started so ever since I wipe my blade off on a damp sponge. Easy clean up, just rinse sponge, squeeze out and let dry for next time. The only time my blade goes near the faucet is for a final rinse when I finish shaving and I can concentrate on what I am doing with the blade and not my shave. So far so good.

If you are worried about bacteria/bugs growing on a sponge or towel simple place the damp sponge/towel in a microwave and nuke it for 1-2 minutes. Careful handling after they sure do get hot.

Kitchen Cleaning - How to Clean a Sponge

Bob

I'll try that, thank you :]

I rotate randomly between a couple dozen different soaps, I find dealing with their lathering idiosyncrasies definitely helps my concentration.

Sounds like a plan. But, I don't think there's anything lame about Arko. I shaved with it this morning and it worked just fine.

Originally Posted by Haim

Hello getns!

wanted to share: today I tried for the first time to not clean my SR with water between strokes, but to wipe it with a wash-cloth. The results were amazing... BBS on 90% of my face. This is remarkable, considering I'm always having trouble with my neck.. This is the best shave I've had yet.
So here are some insights from the event:

1. Nothing changed except for the towel. same lame soap (arco), same lame synthetic brush, not a new blade. Face prep as always - coconut oil before shaving > wipe > 1st pass WTG > shea butter > 2nd pass ATG > 3rd pass (corrections). No shower before, no hot towel.

2. So what did change? the towel, of course. This might seem minor, but changing just one thing from my routine made me more mindful of what I'm doing. I haven't been this focused on my angle, pressure and whereabouts of my blade for a very long time. It took me out of my comfort zone and lengthened my shaving time, and it was amazing. It actually forced me to be a newbie again, only a smarter, more experienced newbie...

3. Not the cleanest thing I've done, I admit, BUT the post shave routine was relatively easy... the blade was almost dry, and more important - no water anywhere on the scales and pivot! So no hot-air drying necessary...

Get out of your comfort zone once in a while :] It helps...

Great post. I personally use a soft sponge when it comes time to wipe my razor clean. It eliminates the additional laundry.

Originally Posted by Uzi

Sounds like a plan. But, I don't think there's anything lame about Arko. I shaved with it this morning and it worked just fine.

I've been shaving with Arko for 2 years now, and it always dries my skin and offers no protection... I find myself adding things to it in order to improve it, and it makes my lathering process very long... It's been good so far, but I now realize I could do better..
Ordered a Cella and a new boar brush... We'll see if there's a real difference :]

Originally Posted by Haim

I've been shaving with Arko for 2 years now, and it always dries my skin and offers no protection... I find myself adding things to it in order to improve it, and it makes my lathering process very long... It's been good so far, but I now realize I could do better..
Ordered a Cella and a new boar brush... We'll see if there's a real difference :]

You used Arko for two years straight?! Wow. That has to be a record. I have a stick in my travel kit, and I enjoy using it but it stays there.

Originally Posted by Haim

I've been shaving with Arko for 2 years now, and it always dries my skin and offers no protection... I find myself adding things to it in order to improve it, and it makes my lathering process very long... It's been good so far, but I now realize I could do better..
Ordered a Cella and a new boar brush... We'll see if there's a real difference :]

Yes, I have heard of people complaining that Arko dries their skin so I guess that depends on skintype as I have no problems with that. Arko gives me am easily made thick and slick lather which give me good protection from the blade. Just goes to show how people's impression of shave soaps can and do vary. I have tried Cella but wound up giving it to a friend because I did not like the scent. Cella made a very good lather though. Hope you enjoy yours.

Bob

Originally Posted by Sxot

You used Arko for two years straight?! Wow. That has to be a record. I have a stick in my travel kit, and I enjoy using it but it stays there.

Funny thing, actually..
when I started wet shaving, I needed a soap to learn how to lather and shave on, and I was on a budget.. and I figured - if a shower soap block lasts 1-2 weeks, the shaving soap will last, what? a month?
So I bought 6.
Six.
I am just now finishing my 4th.....