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The zen of cuthroat , my first shave !
So after plenty of research on the net and asking for advise from Jim of Vintage Blades LLC., the members of SRP and watching lynn's video I finally put my first real shave kit together. I call it the "Zen of cuthroat". It consists of a Thiers Issard Le Grelot 5/8 with cocobolo scale from Vintage Blades , Rooney Shaving Brush, Style 3, Medium, "Best Badger",Hart Steel Straight Razor and Brush Stand & matching mug, A sample chunk of SRD's vanilla bourbon shave soap , Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil and last but not least a SRD 3" Premium IV English Bridle Strop.
The last of those Items arrived today at about 11:30 am and my journey began soon after.
I began with a hot shower during which I softened my beard with my wife's hair conditioner. Once finished I hopped out dried myself off and rubbed on a few drops of the pre shave oil. Next I began to make my lather. The SRD soap is great it lathered up quickly and was thick, rich and smelled great! Once that was done I laid a hot towel over my face and let it sit for a minute or two , removed it , lathered up my face and repeated with the hot towel once more. Once I removed the towel for the Final time I began to lather up my face generously.
The moment had finally come. I was no longer nervous or anxious just eager. I knew it was going to happen and I wanted it bad. I was going to lose my virginity!
I picked up my TI , opened it slowly ,gripped it properly and admired its simple beauty as well as it complicated aura of delicate power and I began...I started with The side burns WTG as instructed. My TI sliced through the hairs of my beard smoothly and without hesitation, like a samurai sword decapitating hundreds of its enemies with a single stroke. I repeated this movement but adjusted my angle a bit when I shaved the rest of my cheek. Moving on to the other side I kept my blade in my right hand against lynns advise. In the future I will switch to the left but it felt so comfortable I decided to stick with it . Success ! Side two was now finished. my neck was next, this was a bit of a challenge but with close attention to my angle the challenge was met admirably . As I lathered up for my second pass I realized that I had suffered no nick's. I was proud of myself and my blade.
The second pass went smoothly as the first with just a bit of a nic on my neck when I crossed a pimple. I was not confident enough to detail my goatee with my straight so I picked up my Mach 5 and finished it up with that. Needless to say the old Mach 5 felt like a stranger to me , I look forward to parting ways with it completely. I did not have any astringent so I used a cold towel in the same way I had used the hot one in preparation of the shave, slapped on some after shave balm rinsed my brush and mug , toweled down my TI and set it out to dry before Stropping it and putting it away.
This was a greater experience than I ever expected ! While my next shave may or may not be this perfect I will continue on this journey for as long as my steady hands will allow it. I wil perfect my technique and I will pass it on to my son.
Thank you to all of the members who helped me along the way even if you didn't know it. Newbee or senior member, If you posted here you helped!
I am anticipating my next shave like you would not believe! I attached an IMG of my kit below FYI
Good shaving my friends!