The Straight Road - Part 78: DEtour
As seems to be the norm of late, it has been a while since my previous entry here. The past few weeks have shown no signs of slowing down, which probably means I need to organize my time a little differently, rather than waiting for life to calm itself. After my last run with the big W&B, I have been having my doubts about whether or not I am going to like the wedge blades. I've also noticed a similar issue with my Manhattan Cutlery, which is a big, heavy blade (not quite a wedge, but close). I'm sure some technique issues are at fault here, but we shall see.
After my last report, the first opportunity I had for a straight shave came on the following Tuesday, which puts it back to April 17th. For the opportunity, I chose to go with my large Manhattan Cutlery and the Real Shaving lineup, which has always done a good job for me, along with my Frank Shaving Badger brush. The shave was passable, but, as with the big wedge, I didn't find I got as much feel and feedback as I do with the more hollow-ground razors. Of course, that's a personal preference, especially given how light my beard is, so it's most definitely not a recommendation on my part.
After that shave, I took a bit of a break from straights, shaving mainly with my Gillette Fat Boy and a Feather blade. This DEtour lasted about four shaves before, last Friday, I was finally back to the straights, picking a kamisori out for my return!
Friday Shave
I pulled the Nagamasa kamisori off the shelf for this one, as I hadn't had a good shave with it before and wanted to give it another go. For my soft goods, I went with the wonderful RazoRock King Louis Lavender lineup, which I always enjoy. For a brush, my Semogue Owners Club premium boar was up for the job, so it was shave time!
Attachment 96949
The Anticipation
Well, having not shaved with a straight for a while, and plain not having shaved in a few days, I had stubble and a keen desire to see that stubble disappear. I'll preface by saying that this razor is sharp. All razors are sharp, of course, but this one, after battling to get it honed, is now what you might call "scary sharp". In fact, at our last meetup, Dllandry called it just that. So I was looking forward to conquering this blade, which had given me some issues in the past.
The Prep
As I had showered the night before, I opted to give my face a good soaking with hot water for a minute or two, to prime the whiskers. Then I applied the RazoRock KLL Shaving Gel, which works as a great preshave. This whole process probably only took a few minutes, but it was well worth the effort. The Nagamasa passed calmly and surely over the SRD Premium IV leather, which is my strop of choice lately since I sliced my 'roo strop :(
The Lather
When you work with a winning combination like the SOC and RazoRock soap, you can't go wrong. Lather for three passes or more, though I only did two with touch-ups. Luxurious, creamy lather. Wonderful.
The Shave
Using almost negative pressure, I barely skimmed this killer razor over my face, to great success. The first pass was pain-free, with no nicks or weepers, while the second came off without a hitch. Even the up-under-the-chin stroke, which often gives me trouble with kamisori, was smooth. The real key was lightening my pressure to the point of almost not touching my skin at all. Something to keep in mind.
The Post
Here's where RazoRock products really shine (well, they shine all over, but the post-shave stuff is wonderful). I spritzed on some of the KLL aftershave, which is really nice and natural, with some cooling menthol in it. Then I applied the wax, which is likely their top product. This is my desert island lineup of shaving products, so bear with my effusive praise here: I love this stuff!
The Verdict
It felt good to get back to straight razors and especially to conquer the kamisori which had given me razorburn and nicks in the past. Hopefully, I had returned to the Straight Road from my DEtour!
Sunday Afternoon
Sunday was lazy day around the house, up until the afternoon, when we found out that mom was coming over to visit and bringing dinner. Luckily, we had done our weekly housework, so all that was left was to clear ourselves up and be ready.
Attachment 96950
The Anticipation
It had been a while since I'd used my DOVO Ironwood (or so it felt, anyway) so I took it off the razor stand and gave it a good stropping. For some reason SWMBO is a huge fan of the scent of Real Shaving products, so I opted to give her a treat and use them again, even though they aren't my favourite in terms of lather or scent.
The Prep
A long, hot shower was in order, with Real Shaving Exfoliating scrub, naturally, followed by the application of their preshave oil.
The Lather
My Bryce C Silvertip Ironwood brush is truly a work of art. Hefty, solid handle, soft, abundant bristles and very handsome wood combine to make a really nice shaving brush. Though I'm more of a fan of my finest badger and premium boar, I still enjoy the performance of the silvertip brushes from time to time. This one is right up there and whipped up a nice batch of creamy foam for me, with more than enough for two passes, touch ups and lather left over to shave twice!
The Shave
As is always the case with this razor, it feels like a butterknife on the face, but the whiskers get removed. Simply wonderful steel and a great Maxi edge. Two passes with touch-ups left me as smooth as I ever get, feeling good and looking like a million bucks (at least, in my own eyes!).
The Post
After the closeness of my previous kamisori shave, I did have a couple of areas where the hairs had been slightly ingrown, right under the point of the chin, so this shave irritated those spots a bit, though I hardly noticed it happening during the shave. For the first time in a long time, I applied alum to calm that one area. That done, I use the RS ASB to good effect, then finished everything off with their facial moisturizer (alum tends to really dry out my skin).
The Verdict
Apart from the little spot under the chin, this was another in the ever-increasing inventory of great shaves I've been getting lately. Can't complain about that! This was shave number 97, so we're closing in on 100 and my supposed graduation from Noob Territory!
Thursday Morning
After a great shave on Sunday, I ended up getting lazy this week and not dragging my butt out of bed early enough to shave until Thursday, so I had 3 days worth of stubble with which to contend.
Attachment 96951
The Anticipation
This was a necessary shave! I was starting to look a bit like a hobo with several days of scraggly, scruffy growth on my face. I had a bit of trouble deciding which products to use, but in the end I settled on a reliable choice: the 8/8 Friodur with DR Harris Marlborough products.
The Prep
My regular hot shower prep, combined with a good stropping for the blade and, of course, a thorough pre-soaking of the Omega Pro 49, as well as priming the soap before getting in the shower. These steps all help to ensure the lather will be rich and abundant.
The Lather
DRH soaps really are champions of the suds. I've always had good results from Marlborough, Arlington and Almond, so far. Of course, it doesn't hurt when you combine it with the big Pro 49, which could probably whip lather out of a stone! Two passes, touch-ups, lather everywhere!
The Shave
Once again, we were contending with several days worth of growth here. The big Friodur just laughed as it mowed the whiskers down, leaving things smooth and irritation free. It's surprisingly nimble for an 8/8, probably due to being quite hollow and light, especially when compared to the W&B or the Manhattan. The Spanish point also makes it easier to get in under the nose and do the fine work there. All in all, a rousing success.
The Post
DRH has been around for a long time and there's a reason for that. They make damn good products. The Marlborough aftershave, which is a lovely scent of cedar and sandalwood, has just a touch of menthol for a nice cooling effect. It hardly stung, thanks, I'm sure, to the great edge on the Friodur (Maxi again!). That done, I applied the cologne, then finished things off with a little bit of Trumper's Fragrance Free lotion, to help with moisturizing on my dryness-prone face.
The Verdict
98 down and, quite possibly, this was the best shave I've had from a straight razor yet. I can't think of a better one in terms of comfort, closeness, confidence and overall feel. Just sublime!
My noob stage is almost done, but I get the feeling that the good times are only just beginning on The Straight Road!
I want to pick a special razor for my 100th shave, but I'm having a tough time doing so. Originally, I was thinking maybe I could use my Bow Razor, but that still needs to have the scales attached and I haven't found the time for that lately! Maybe there's still a chance, but it's not looking good. There's also the Le Canadien, which was the first really nice new razor I bought and also will always be special, just because of the patriotic implications. I also have my ERN, which was the second razor I ever bought (the first has moved on to a good home with a new shaver who will enjoy it, I'm sure), so perhaps something about coming full circle?
Decisions, decisions...
Cheers,
Jack