Things to enhance my shaving experience.

So, I'm on vacation in Maui and I brought two of my razors so I can alternate. I had my fourth shave and it just keeps getting better. My room has a sweet shaving mirror that is concave in addition to being wall mounted on a long swivel arm so I can pull it close and move it for better angles. Waay better than trying to lean over my bathroom counter at home. Also, I don't think the jacuzzi and hot towel on my face I relaxed with hurt much either. I think though, the mirror helped the most so I could see what I was doing clearly. So to all out there, I'd be curious to hear some other little things not previously mentioned that make your shave easier, smoother, and in general increase the pleasurableness of a nice straight razor shave? (skin stretching, lather, proper angle and a light touch we've heard a lot about)

IMO one of the most underrated areas of shaving is pre-shave prep. You said here that you had a jacuzzi and a hot towel, but do you do that sort of prep at home on a day to day basis?

Ok, maybe not a jacuzzi, but maybe a shower? :D

That'll really help your daily shave.

Other than that, as long as you have the various areas covered (lather, pre shave, stropping etc...) just aim to refine and improve those techniques. Aim to get your lather as rich as possible, to have all your stropping strokes just so and so on.

And have a brandy and a cigar waiting for after the shave..! :)

Stubear, yes I do. I usually shave after my shower in the morning and put some conditioner in my stubble (I'm not a very hairy person). I also put a hot towel for a few before I get started. Oh, and the wifey said "No cigars because she still has to kiss me after I shave but the Brandy is okay".

my post shave includes a stella and a packet of crisps.. but my main thing lately is trying to really let the lather soak in.. after my initial lather.. i rub it in with my fingers to really get some blood flow going to the face and let it sit for a minute or two.. i occasionally bring the lappy in the shave den with me and check srp while i marinate in my initial lathering.. then i rinse off, apply bay rum and re-lather...

it's been said many times.. lather early and often.

i really appreciate in my bathroom I have three mirrors: the one in fron tand one on either side set at an angle; so I can quickly go between different views of my face without adjusting a mirror or myself.

Today is my first day off after 10 day of 12 hours/day in the summer heat.

I took a nice shower, washing my face with Neutrogena Razor Defense Face Scrub. When I reached the sink I applied some Proraso preshave cream to my beard. Then I whipped up some Proraso shave cream in my cup with my black badger hair brush and applied that on top of the preshave. I then proceeded to strop my newly sharpened Dovo Astral on the Filly, CrOx side about 30, and Leather side about 50 strops. I then applied a hot steamy cloth to my face for some seconds and then wiped the cream off. Then applied a fresh coat of Proraso with the brush and shaved.

Leaving now with my 6yo daughter to watch cats and dogs at the theater.:beer2:

Life is good!!!

Oh oh. Do I sense an impending case of AD coming on??? :rofl2: