Thread: Shaving Epiphany!

Originally Posted by netlevi

I've been taking baby steps toward shaving my whole face and I am starting to agree with you. This morning after spending a fair amount of time scraping away on my right side, I found that the left side shaved right off--I'm pretty sure it's because that side had lather on it longer.

I haven't used the hot towel yet, but it sounds like I need to give it a try.

I've also found that getting the right moisture level in the lather makes a big difference, too-- there is a fine line between lather that is too dry and lather that is too runny...

-Chief

Congrats on the first great shave, hopefully one of many. It sounds like you're on the right track for success. Keep it up and enjoy!

Read your post thinking "there went I." Many of us had tough starts...then came the epiphany. Great, huh? Glad it came together for you. Bet you can't wait to get up and shave tomorrow!

Best...
J

Congrats on your epiphany! It only gets better from here.

Having now expernienced a good result for a few days, the confidence is building. This morning I did the whole face (except chin - where I don't currently shave). It isn't BBS, but it also isn't cut and is at least as good a shave as I would get with my old fission.

Even better, this morning was with a new Dovo that I honed myself on my Norton 4000/8000. It doesn't feel as sharp as the blades that Lynn did for me, but it still worked well.

Suddenly, the routine that I used to dread every morning is now something to look forward to.

Good stuff, I can remember the sense of progress. It comes pretty naturally, which is a bonus.

Please remember that this differs based on the individual. For me the towel would not have made a darn bit of difference and washing my face several times would just take time and not made any difference. You must have a heavier beard thatn I do.

Originally Posted by mparker762

Sounds like a lot of work.

Well, as pointed out by multiple posters lately (myself included) there is a lot that we do, that amounts to a lot of extra work, sometimes to the point of being foppish or silly, but that's not always a bad thing.

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't mind if some part of my shave is silly or foppish or a lot more work than a Mach3.

Now, if you want a really great beard prep that is WAY less work, you could try my method. ("Mine" as in the method I use, not as in a method I created. I'm not that clever)

What I do, is build up some quick nice hot lather before I even get my razor out. Then I leave it sitting on my face while I strop, and then reapply the lather. (actually I just get some more hot water on my brush and refresh what's already on my face, since I face-lather, but that's a separate discussion)

You get just as much moisture as a hot towel, less heat, but still plenty if you have a way to make really hot lather like a very hot scuttle, and I find that the soap also softens the beard if it has a little time to sit.

I've heard of barbers putting the hot towel on over a good layer of lather, and I can imagine that you'd get even better results that way, but my way works very well for me, and is a lot easier.