Ze First Shave 6/19/2010

[Rapidfyre]

Hello all!

As a young buck, *I am only 25* - so not really long ago - I recall my grandfather having a luxorious shaving brush and a straight as I wondered around their house aimlessly looking for something to do. I never saw him shave with it, but it certainly peaked my curiosity. That curiosity stuck with me, lying dormant for 20 years. I recently started going to barber shops instead of the normal "Super Cuts" most people go to these days. The shaving experience is always a thrill when a barber uses a straight I found myself going out of my way to find barbers used the straight over any other method. As the economy shifted, I decided - now was the time to step into true manhood and shave for the first "real" time in my life.

I read through all the gems on this forum, bought Lynn's DVD which I can't praise enough and decided to throw down some cash for the essentials.

Tools:
Professionally Sharpened Dovo Best Quality Black 6/8" = $84.99

SRD 100% Pure Essential Oil Shaving Soaps 12 Wonderful Choices= $21.49 Scent: Sandalwood

Heinrich L. Thäter Series 4292/6 B 28mm Finest Badger Silver Tip= $155.99

Dominica Bay Rum After Shave = $11.99

Start:
Jumped in the shower, let the pores get wide open. After that, I used a towel soaked in piping hot water and left that on my face for a good 30 seconds. I soon scrambled to open my package fresh from Straight Razor Designs (little planning goes a long ways) and grabbed my huge badger brush. As I began to create some lather, I recall reading up on how uber lather is the difference between a good shave and a great shave, however I for some reason could not focus on making it extremely creamy, infact it was somewhat runny (My huge lack of experience clearly at work) then applied some hot water onto the badger brush on the already somewhat runny lather and drenched my face.

I approached the Straight with any youthful - demigod attitude and pressed the freshly sharpened blade to my face. It didn't take long before my immortality was clearly shattered, (I can picture Lynn shaking his head right now, saying do not apply any pressure!) the blade made contact and then some, relieving some skin from my face after my third stroke. Blood began to profusely run - it was at that time where I stopped and thought - what the hell am I doing? Being extremely stubborn, I pressed on, constantly rubbing minimal amounts of lather off my straight with water and then towel. Each time I did that, it was my little confidence booster, kind of a one small lather for man, 1 more small lather for mankind. I soon finished the cheeks and decided - well, I have all my tools prepped and ready to operate some more, I decided i'd volunteer to graduate myself to the neck. The angle required to get a clean cut without taking skin was pretty difficult at first especially as I attempted to shave with my left hand. That did not remotely feel comfortable so I gave it back to my right. As I began to "feel" the straight in my hand, instead of trying to shave with sight, I soon realized how to shave the neck in what I assume to be proficient, that's when the joy started. I turned the water off, and listened how the hairs were being obliterated from their former resting place and wow, it's a beautiful thing.

Here is the end result of my first shave, not too pretty for a first time but it definately could be worse, especially since I have ultra sensitive skin.

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My Overall thoughts:
The Badger hair has a definite "distinct" smell, and not in a good way, I assume it'll smell better through time as it's being used to make scented lathers. My make shift scuttle did a pretty decent job holding heat for the time I used it, approximately 25 minutes for 2 passes. I put the Bay Rum on my face after I used cold water on a towel and set that on my face for a good 15 seconds. It lit my face up still!

Side Note:

I did not strop the blade before use, as it did come professionally sharpened by SRD, that may aid in a cleaner shave next time. I ordered the Premium IV leather strop which should be coming any day, which I will definately use before my next shave. I know it's smarter to get a cheapo strop, but I figured since the strop is modular and the replacements are only $30 - which I believe holds true for the extra long one that I got, if I wreck this one i'll just order a replacement! I really could of used the Alum block that I ordered, but evidently it's on backorder *ouch* . So I used the badger brush dipped in hot water and brushed my face a bit to calm it down which was also quite soothing!


Mini Review:

Aftershave:
For all of you wondering about the Bay Rum smell, it's definately not overpowering like the Clubman Aftershave you see in the background, it's very subtle and refreshing.

Brush:
The badger brush is huge! The bristles are like a babys hair after it's used the Johnson and Johnson Shampoo. Amazing!

Blade:
Well, no experience with any other blade type - felt ridiculously sharp and very nice in weight with a grooved tang giving you more control if your hand gets wet.

Soap:
The soap produces copious amounts of lather, I spent some time after the shave to make some really thick lather and the badger brush only took like 1 minute to create gobs of lather, the scent is VERY light.

I forgot to take a picture of my face beforehand, showing stubble I will be sure to do that next go around!

Any suggestions are welcome!