Thread: my shaving notes from the Lone Star State

Good stuff. If you have a monday or tuesday available, you should come up and see me, maybe I could give you a pointer or two. Alum is a great indicator if you used improper form one way or another. I use it every shave before aftershave. Like mentioned above, try some other soap. A soap that works with about any water (this is the key to most soaps) is proraso in the green tub. It's about the best middle of the road soap that I know of. You now see that most of us say it takes an average of 30 days for it to ALL come together. I'm glad you are enjoying your experience.

Sorry for the lapse in posts but life and all.

Shave 11 with the new blade was a blood-bath; I think I was a bit sloppy with the new blade and moved it too fast and at too sharp an angle – both of my cheeks and my jaw had nicks – let me rephrase that ‘cuts’ not nicks.

On the 2nd pass I was more careful – but still the shave was not up to par with the ones I had been getting – hubris and all.

Shave 12 I was more careful and I even made it to the 2nd pass before I nicked my jaw – this time the shave was better but my neck is still the area that feels like it needs another pass but looks like a decent shave.

Shave 13 is where the blade gave me a nice kiss on my left cheek – it cut deep and left a scar – while moving the blade XTG I used too much pressure and viola I gouged myself.

The 2nd pass went well and I was able to get a closer shave on my neck – but that new scar on my left cheek will be reminding me that I MUST respect the blade and not get too ‘cheeky’ with it.

Shaving every other day helps as the stubble grows out I can get a better idea of how to move the blade with the grain and not make ATG mistakes.

Building the lather has gotten a lot easier – I get the tips of the brush started and then apply the lather to my face, using the alum to get a grip while I shave helps me stretch my skin and I am getting better with the left hand – although the left side of my neck gets a hell of a razor burn – I think I am using too much pressure with my left hand when I shave my neck.

Regards

Ok shave 14 was kinda rough - it was the 3rd shave on the blade which is where the sharpness drops off precipitously.
my lathering has improved - by using my goatee as a staging area I can get the lather built up really thick.
the shave it self was spotty - the 1st pass left large areas on both cheeks - I think that had a lot to do with the heavy drag the blade was having and I feared putting pressure on it (thanks to that kiss I got a few shaves ago)
the 2nd pass was better and I used XTG to get the rougher areas.
but I needed 3 passes on this blade to get a good shave - the alum stung prbly due to the 3 passes and having to go over some areas all 3 times.

shave 15 was with a new blade and it was gold!

I was able to get a pretty close shave the 1st pass - no nicks at all!!

the 2nd pass was also nick free - I did have to go over my area but it was minor and again no nicks.
my face looks BBS and it feels damn smooth - except for those damnable areas on my neck - but all in all a great shave!