My First Shave! (technically)

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(excuse the quality of the image, I took it with a mobile phone)

So I shaved this morning for the first time WITH any kind of shaving cream or soap. I had my first full shave in the military and using creams then was a bad idea since they were mostly scented and really messy (plus it took a lot of prep time) so I learned to shave with just water, whether it was hot or cold.

I bought Geo F. Trumper's West Indian Limes at a local store and it was the only scent that they had that day. I bought the soap refill since it was all I could afford and just stuck in a bowl that I found in the kitchen (which fit perfectly!).

I'd have to say, it was a lot harder to lather it up than I thought haha. The brush I used was bought years ago in Iraq which was your cheap boar-like bristle brush that costs maybe $10 (I also used the brush to clean my weapons in service since the bristles were stiff enough to get the sand and junk out of the nook and crannies. :P).

I just wanted to share this experience and uh.. I'm hoping it gets better within a few days!


Thanks guys and I hope everyone has had a GREAT shave and a better day throughout.


PS: I also received a Bismark strop for free a few hours after I bought the soap so the shaving experience was a tad bit better since I didn't have to swipe it a few times on my 8k grit DMT benchstone before shaving.

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Originally Posted by dawills87

I also received a Bismark strop for free a few hours after I bought the soap so the shaving experience was a tad bit better since I didn't have to swipe it a few times on my 8k grit DMT benchstone before shaving.

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I would think so, since, in my experience, hones are for honing and strops are for stropping ;)

Just out of curiosity, your brush is completely clean and free of oil, right? You mentioned doing some crazystuff with it before, and I know from experience that oil in your brush will knock the lather down every time.

Hmm.. Now that I've come to think of it, I think the most I've done to "clean" it was to spray some gun degreaser/cleaner and called it good but you've brought up an important issue about the oils knocking the lather down. I didn't think too much into it since I was relatively new to using and/or lathering up the soap to shave.


I might need a new brush :P I think anything badger might be a huge step up to experiencing an excellent shave.

new, good brushes are (can be) cheap. And brushes are like sponges: they hold onto a little of whatever they touch for pretty much eternity. no big deal when that "whatever" is skin, soap and hair, but gun gook? I wouldn't be able to use that on my face afterwards.

I'd say go for a new brush if you can and/or maybe use a little shampoo and a lot of elbow grease on this one if you keep using it

Id do like igga said, a little soap to the brush and a thorough rinse (repeat if necessary). After all, that's what soaps are made for! To bind dirt and oils and be washed away with water! Of course, it may be too far gone. I got a brush for about $20 I believe it was, it does what its supposed to but I will probably be upgrading sometime in the future.

I don't know that I'd stick with your hone either. A little on the short side. I'm no expert in that department (or any other around here for that matter).


Mick