Thread: I did it - well kind of

Thanks Jim... I kinda figured that would be the case. It's just so new right now, I have no sense for what is happening at any given instant. If I thought my eyesight was going to be the determining factor I'd never have tried this! Good to know!

Ken

Well, I took yesterday off. Didn't have the time to do things "right" so I fell back to the Fusion (which did fine - it always does - pretty good for a cartridge).

But today I did my second straight. I think it went pretty well. Again, no cuts or nicks. Followed basically the same process but paid more attention to the stropping and blade angle. Results were a bit better but, again, I only did about 1/2 of a shave (2 passes one WG one XG) but was pretty happy with the results. Most noticably, no shaking By the end, I could feel the nerves building but it was really much better from that prespective...

Today I received my brush from Giovanni (it's a beauty!) so I'm gonna take that bad boy out for a spin tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the advice and support!

Ken

Hey congrats man! Got that shaking down to a minimum, that'll probably give you a much better shave rather than micro-bouncing off your skin all the time.

Great to hear that you're building up the nerve, and encouraging to other newb shavers such as myself!

btw I shave with my glasses on, they don't get in the way at all for me.

Well, a few more shaves under my belt. Getting better all the time. Now covering about 80% of my face with at least one pass and 80% of that with a second. Strokes are getting smoother and angles are getting better (by feel and results) and per Lynn's video, I've been working on using that previously useless left appendage . That really helps!

Still had the problem of "some" stubble pretty much everywhere after the second pass. When I first started with cartridge razors I read what I could find (no internet back then) and kept reading that you should shave WITH the grain, never against. I was never able to get a decent shave that way. Eventually I tried going 'against' (this was back with my first Bic disposable single blade) and never looked back. Always felt like I was doing it "wrong" but it worked. I guess my beard just doesn't shave well until I go that direction(?) So today I felt comfortable enough to try 'against' on a small area. Success! That area was now VERY smooth. Everywhere else was still lightly stubbled. I finished those areas with the Fusion.

Also today tried my first cream from Colleen. Desert Ironwood today. Awesome stuff. WOW! Smooth, rich, nice lather and well lubed, wonderfully scented and cleans up MUCH easier than the stuff I'd used on my first few shaves. You guys were so right about the quality of her stuff! Thanks!

Also, getting much better at stropping. I think "part" of my problem was this IRS strop was pretty rough. I took some 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and lightly smoothed it off a bit. It sure SEEMS better now. Still need to get one of Tony's strops.....

Thanks folks! I'm getting there (and a bit more quickly than I'd feared after my first go!)

Ken

Originally Posted by bgertz

that'll probably give you a much better shave rather than micro-bouncing off your skin all the time.

You are so right. A smooth, steady stoke is critical IMO.

Originally Posted by bgertz

btw I shave with my glasses on, they don't get in the way at all for me.

I tried that. They seemed to be more in the way than helpful so, for now, I'm doing the best I can without. Thanks for the input though. I may try it again but It's going better now as I get more "feel".

Ken