Thread: 3rd shave improvements

Hey Guys,

I returned to straight razor shaving last week after a 25 year hiatus only to realize that I wasn't going to be an instant success just because I know how to sharpen things better now than when I was 22.

Thanks to some suggestions from Jonathan (Datsots) on my introduction post and some further exploration through the threads here, I think I have improved my technique a bit. The biggest impact was lightening up on the pressure i was using. Just barely enough pressure to remove the lather yielded drastically fewer nicks, and was comfortable enough that I could relather twice and go back over some areas with ATG and XTG strokes. It still was mildly uncomfortable afterwards, but I put a little bit of Nivea Creme on the face and it felt a bit better. Most of my face was Baby Butt Soft, but obviously I will need to develop more technique for a few areas. I am not comfortable with shaving the left side of my face with the left hand...

Who uses thayers witch hazel as an after shave? Which one?

I think I will also take Jonathan's advice and get one of the experienced honers here to put a proper edge on my wedge and 3/4 wedge. When I rebuilt the edges on my razors, they all ended up more straight than smiling...oops

David

Congratulations

For jumping in to the deep end you are doing well. Any witch hazel will do but Dickinson and Thayers are well respected. IIRC Dickinson makes most all of the witch hazel on the market. Your honing will get better with practice.

Jonathan

Once again, Thanks Jonathan!

I'm using the Thayer's Original Witch Hazel and love it. A bit of alchohol but not too much and the aloe really smooths things out.

I have a great real old fashioned country store down the road and they seem to have nearly the entire line of Thayer's products. I was considering buying the aftershave but the owner of the store said that he has two customers who shave their heads who swear by the Thayer's Medicated Superhazel with aloe vera. It is supposed to be a topical pain reliever, soothing itches, skin irritations and burns. The first ingredient is Organic Aloe Vera extract but it also contains Calendula, clove oil, grapefruit seed extract as well as Eucalyptus and Peppermint oil besides the witch hazel. I tried it and it's nice and mellow and cooling...12 ounces should last a good long time!

Should I copy this over to the section for aftershave, etc?

David

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Thayer's Medicated Superhazel with aloe vera. It is supposed to be a topical pain reliever, soothing itches, skin irritations and burns. The first ingredient is Organic Aloe Vera extract but it also contains Calendula, clove oil, grapefruit seed extract as well as Eucalyptus and Peppermint oil besides the witch hazel. I tried it and it's nice and mellow and cooling...12 ounces should last a good long time!

Indeed a very good product, i dont use aftershave, only witch hazel after shaving, tried a few different brands and my favorite is Thayer's Medicated Superhazel with aloe vera, like you said that bottle last a long time, and you dont smell like a rose.........

I tried the thayer's aftershave. Liked it a bit at first but grew tired of the scent pretty quickly. I prefer the alcohol based, scented lemon variety for after shaving.

Light pressure is good. Also, keep practicing with the left hand. Look in the mirror and see if you are doing something different on that side of the face. With practice you will become ambidextrous.

Make sure to keep an eye out in the Meetup forum. There is a great meetup in Northern NJ that has been happening with some regularity.

Michael