Smooth as glass

Today I got one of those glass smooth shaves. I have not exactly pinned down what causes these incredibly smooth as glass feeling shaves. Anyone else know what I'm talking about? Today was my fifth I think, second ever with a straight razor. Besides a perfect, yet not exceptionally sharp, blade I did one thing a little different. I used a watery cream. With a DE (I used one of these for awhile last year) it was essential to build a good protective lather. With a straight I use a water only pass so a watery cream isn't a big deal but it never occured to me that it might be enhancing my shaves, thus I don't repeat the process too often. I'm going to try it again tomorrow if I can replicate it. Anyone else ever use this technique or know what I'm talking about?

I tend to get those glass like finishes with my 6/8 (larger) blades. I think it has something to do with the weight of the razor and the inability to flex as much on my hollow (not full hollow) ground razors. On my thick beard they do miracles... The prep I use is always fully saturated with water brush, and the excess water that drips into the bowl is returned onto brush. I think the quality of the soap and cream is essential for great shave. Some of my creams and soaps provide more lubrication then others, but I like'm all. Jummy... The last two shaves I tryed the brushless shaving cream from Korres that I got in Greece. The feeling actually was pritty nice. It tingled bit (menthol like) and provided excelent lubrication. The second pass was water only, after I washed my face with couple of splashs, and the razor did some nice job gliding... experiments, experiments...

have fun,
Nenad

Usually, when I get a shave like that it's after I've let my wiskers grow for a couple of days. I'm not sure why, but that's when It feels the closest.

I think in general most of us find that if you shave every other day you get a better shave than if you shave every day. I think the added wisker length gives the razor more to bite into. Though prep is always very important the wait a day policy does more to give me a close comfortable shave than any other combination of factors if I shave every day.

I agree with you all on the concept but that wasn't it...I never skip a day shaving.

Today I was not able to replicate the glass smooth shave. I did however get a really nice close shave. The only other immediately obvious variation to Mondays shave was that I used cold cream instead of warmed cream. I'll try that tomorrow. Failing that I'll just have to wait until the next glass smooth feeling just "happens".