Thread: What's your routine?

Just seen this and had to make the first post. Thanks Birnando for getting this done!

I'm a daily head shaver, 99% of the time I use a Merkur Slant, or Weber. I have used a Feather SS and a straight razor but time seems an issue. I can shave my head in about 6 minutes with a DE and be BBS. A straight razor takes me 30-45 minutes.

I usually take a shower, lather up and start with ATG pass at the sides and back of the head, then the top. Rinse and re-lather and do XTG passes starting at the back of the head and working toward the sides. Rinse and do touchups as needed. I usually hold my DE with the pointer and middle finger ahead of the razor head and the thumb trails. This makes for stubble finders, and something to make sure I keep the angle.
I usually use a Splash, but this time of year I move for my RazorRock AS wax. Headblade sometimes also in Matte, no glossy flash reflector for me

So what's your routine?

I'm an every other day shaver except when I have had a bad shave day then I may wait an extra day or two. I'm still very much a noob and my shaves can be hit or miss especially on days that I'm just not "feeling it" (like yesterday, the shave at the start seemed smoother than the shave before but by the end I had more nicks and cuts. Really disappointing, but that is another topic). I have never tried a DE, but rather made the leap from cartridge to str8 almost in one bound.

However when I do shave I normally prep with a hot shower while my brush, mug and soap are doing their thing waiting on me. I normally strop before I get into the shower. After the shower, I normally but not always work up an uberlather, lather up both my face and head and start on my face. My face I do a WTG pass, lather, do a ATG pass and then touch-ups. Maybe 20-25 min. Then I re-lather my head and start on it. My first pass is ATG on the top and XTG on the sides and back. Re-lather. then I strop my razor again before doing my second pass on my head. Second pass is ATG all over using mainly guillotine type stokes where feasible and buffing when not. Then I do my touch-ups, whether it be rough spots, missed spots, one mole I have to watch out for, or my ear hair. The head takes about 40-50 min. By the time I'm done I'm BBS. Then I clean up my den, Splash on a little aftershave or rub on some aftershave balm and I'm good to go.

First off,
A BIG thanks for getting this sub-f going.
My routine during the work week is a bit more rushed with fewer passes. I shave my face and head daily 96.34% of the time. I've been taking a couple days off of head shaving about every third week just for some "healing" time. Currently working with my DE trying to get that down. I'm not one for cuts because it takes too long to heal, I need to look "professional" at work and I HATE the downtime away from shaving, (that last one....what a change in my perspective from I HATE SHAVING).
I do most of my shaving in the shower for the purpose of ease. I know, you've all said it, the shave will be that much better if I take it to the sink and I do when I have the time but only my face. I'm messy and I don't want to have to clean the bathroom every morning. I soak my brush and wet the soap while I shower then go to work making lather. Lather head and face, start the DE 2 -3 pass shave depending on time. Then go to my head and start with the DE. Relather and use a HeadBlade Sport down to BBS. Today I used a bit of Cremo Creme with my Col Conk to make Uberlather. Very Nice!

Originally Posted by Ggoongreen

I do most of my shaving in the shower for the purpose of ease. I know, you've all said it, the shave will be that much better if I take it to the sink and I do when I have the time but only my face. I'm messy and I don't want to have to clean the bathroom every morning. I soak my brush and wet the soap while I shower then go to work making lather. Lather head and face, start the DE 2 -3 pass shave depending on time. Then go to my head and start with the DE. Relather and use a HeadBlade Sport down to BBS. Today I used a bit of Cremo Creme with my Col Conk to make Uberlather. Very Nice!

I use to shave in the shower with a DE, so I wouldn't rule it out. All the steam kept the lather pretty well hydrated. Made for a great shave IMO. I stopped because I like using my straight razors too and took it to the sink. Straight razor in the shower, exposed body parts, no thanks....

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

I use to shave in the shower with a DE, so I wouldn't rule it out. All the steam kept the lather pretty well hydrated. Made for a great shave IMO. I stopped because I like using my straight razors too and took it to the sink. Straight razor in the shower, exposed body parts, no thanks....

OUCH! I've seen the censored "cut of the day". No need to even develop the mental picture. NO WAY does my straight get near the shower. I'm leery of the damn thing just sitting in my hand. Even when using the loupe to check it I'm nervous about that blade being too close. My daily carry knife is kept sharp enough that I cut myself when I first got it, just set the blade against my skin when I closed it and the blood started flowing. So I'm very, very careful with the straight. Even after a noob like me is stropping it.
Happy shaving!
G

Don't really have a routine yet. I just started shaving (face and head) with a straight razor and have only shaved my head 4 times now. So far it has been a Saturday thing and will probably stay that way. I have very little to actually shave up top. I do use a different razor to shave my head with, at least for right now. Looking forward to learning more about it.

Thanks for everyone taking the time to share their knowledge!
Anthony

This thread brings to mind a post a few years ago of the guy who got out of the shower, went to shave at the sink and dropped his blade VERY close to his pubis.

Since then I have always kept a towel between my person and the sink.

Just picked up some Mugso Glyce pre shave soap (?) . Tried it for the first time last night. Wet the puck then applied the bar/puck to my head like a shave stick. Not sure this is the "proper" way to apply it...
Any way the stubble scraped away the soap and then I applied my lather. Super slick. Not sure I'm using it right but hey I don't see much on here at all about Mugso Glyce. I may just try washing my head/face with it and rinse then apply lather and see what happens. I'm hoping this stuff helps me get comfortable using a straight on my nugget. My lather is slick enough, but if I can improve that slickness and cushion I'm sure it would make the learning curve that much more easier. OR was it just a good/bad excuse to purchase more shave supplies?