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  1. #1
    Member Gags1892's Avatar
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    Default First Successful Shave!

    I just had my first successful shave! I only went one pass WTG (I didn't feel comfortable going ATG quite yet -- next shave for sure!) and I didn't have ANY razor burn, cuts, or irritation! I can't believe it -- my last shave was not good at all, so I'm thankful to you guys for all of your tips and help!

    I took my time (about 45 minutes), applied close to no pressure at all, and really stretched the skin out well

    (NOTE: I'm also still going this with a disposable straight -- I've heard a legit straight is much better on the skin, so I will be making my order for a DOVO classic 5/8" black with a strop this week).

    Just a few questions:
    -For lather: Since I really take my time, I noticed the lather dries up/evaporates rather quickly. Should I just apply it to whatever portion I currently shave? Or continue to do it all, and having to re-apply a few times throughout the shave?

    -For the mug: Any post-shave clean up or wash out of the mug? Or do you leave the soap and mug as is?

    -For the brush: I hand dried it, and then shook out every last ounce of water I could -- would blow drying the bristles be a wise move or not since I don't have a stand?

    Thanks everyone

  2. #2
    Blood-faced volleyball
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    The following are the opinions of a fellow newbie. Heed them at your own risk.

    For the brush, I think blow-drying might do more harm than good. If you're worried about moisture, just tie a piece of string around the handle of the brush and hang it from somewhere suitable. (You could make a cute little gallows, even. )

    As for the lather; have you tried getting more water into it? My first times with the brush and soap, I was surprised at how much I could make it drink before it got runny. If that doesn't work, I would probably go for lathering the whole face and rehydrating where necessary.

    Now, the mug I'm not sure about. I use a bowl for lathering, and keep the soap in a different bowl. I don't do anything to the soap bowl after shaving, except leave the lid off for a while to let any water escape. The lathering bowl, I just rinse and leave to dry. Since I also use that to rinse the brush after shaving, it gets a sort of "free ride" with the brush.

  3. #3
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    Congrats! You can baby the edge of a blade but the brush requires a little tough love. Just let it dry. If you baby it and dry it with a blow dryer, badgers everywhere will get kind of offended. If you watch badgers in the wild they let their fur dry naturally, they never use a blow dryer. Well except maybe California badgers back in the '80s.

  4. #4
    Enjoying a bit of timor
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    if you add a small amount of glycerin to the lather it won't dry out as quickly, but I agree with the previous poster, add a little more water (few more drops)

  5. #5
    Member Gags1892's Avatar
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    Now for the lather -- do you put the water INTO the mug? I was just soaking the tip of my badger brush and then mixing it in for lather in my mug.

  6. #6
    Newbie Str8 Shaver cwrighta70's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gags1892 View Post
    -For the mug: Any post-shave clean up or wash out of the mug? Or do you leave the soap and mug as is?
    I completely rinse out my mug and lather bowl...but that's because I'm a clean freak when it comes to that kind of stuff. Even if 100 people told me it was better to leave the remaining lather and residue, I couldn't do it.

  7. #7
    Blood-faced volleyball
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gags1892 View Post
    Now for the lather -- do you put the water INTO the mug? I was just soaking the tip of my badger brush and then mixing it in for lather in my mug.
    I soak the whole brush in hot water while I shower. When it's time to lather, I try to keep as much water in the brush as possible. A gentle flick or two of the brush is generally enough to dislodge superfluous water.

    Do you lather in the same mug/bowl/carafe/decanter/bucket that contains your soap? I use different bowls, so I "catch" some soap with a few passes of the brush in the soap bowl. Then I proceed to foam it up in a separate bowl. That way, I can add more soap or water to the mix as needed.
    Last edited by Bledge; 03-13-2008 at 01:19 PM. Reason: Ah messed up!

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