The Duck Keeps Quacking - Shave Two
Yesterday was my first shave, as I detailed in an earlier post. I debated whether to give it a rest and use the DE this morning, but decided the Duck likes shaving cream, so I'd let it quack at me.
I started with a hot shower and some conditioner on my beard. While I showered, I let the brush soak and the lather bowl warm up. After the shower, I decided I would try to remain consistent so I went with the Proraso again this morning. After applying a bit of PSO, I got ready to do my first "pre-shave" stropping. I have been trying to rub my filly strop with my hand periodically to make sure it's soft and supple and I did that again before stropping the razor. Once the leather was warmed up, I tried to strop the blade about twenty strokes. I'm not sure it was the most effect stropping, because I'm still learning, but I didn't roll the razor towards the blade as I reveresed directions so I was happy.
After stropping I mixed up my lather. I see now why people rave about the Proraso lather. I'm convinced my 3 month old puppy could get a good lather with that stuff! As I lathered my face I said to myself that I was going to be more confident in my strokes today. I started with a WTG pass and it went much more smoothly today. I didn't give myself any nicks on this first pass. The neck and under my lower lip are both still points that are giving me trouble because it feels like the blade doesn't want to move in the confined space (of course that could be somewhat the product of my realization that the spike point is sharp). The neck is another one that is difficult. I feel instant razor burn on large parts of my neck and don't know what to do for that. Overall, I was able to get a decent product from that first pass.
I rinsed, and relathered to go for a XTG pass. This is where I learned a valuable lesson: when you have a vertical cut from the spike point of your razor on your right cheek, XTG on that spot probably should be avoided. As I got to that spot, the Duck definitely quacked at me! :medvl: On came the blood, but I was undaunted. The rest of the pass went fairly well and the only other nick I found right away was where I caught myself just under my nose trying to do detail work with the spike.
Another rinse and some touch up work primarily ATG under the chin and along the cheeks/sideburn area and I was pretty well done for. As I hit my face with the alum, I could feel the raw spots pretty much everywhere.
Result: BBS on most everything except the neck. So, the adventure continues and I'm still loving the decision to try a straight. Tomorrow and Friday are days in court wearing a suit and tie, so I'll probably give my skin a break by using the DE, but stay tuned for more adventures of the Duck that Shaved Me!
