Thread: Testing the waters

You may lose a few hairs on that brush. If you want some soap/ cream samples you know what to do.

As others will tell you, go at your own pace. I learned DE gradually, and am learning straight edge gradually.

What Manufacturer is your razor?

I have cut myself on two subsequent shaves in the same spot. Right side, just south of the jaw line. In fact they are parallel to each other. I suspect it is the last part of a down stroke (wtg). I figure I should take shorter strokes in this area. Cheeks are good, neck shows irritation at base of neck on under ears. Must concentrate more in those areas.

Coincidentally or not, both cuts came on days when I was using what I consider to be sub par lather, from a PIF of Cella. As much as some love that soap, I must be doing something wrong, but I am going to go back to Proraso or Windsor or a TOBS. Got some Mama Bears samples in this week, but will prob. only try them with a DE.

Originally Posted by jfro

I have cut myself on two subsequent shaves in the same spot. Right side, just south of the jaw line. In fact they are parallel to each other. I suspect it is the last part of a down stroke (wtg). I figure I should take shorter strokes in this area. Cheeks are good, neck shows irritation at base of neck on under ears. Must concentrate more in those areas.

Coincidentally or not, both cuts came on days when I was using what I consider to be sub par lather, from a PIF of Cella. As much as some love that soap, I must be doing something wrong, but I am going to go back to Proraso or Windsor or a TOBS. Got some Mama Bears samples in this week, but will prob. only try them with a DE.

I know EVERYTHING shaving related is personal choice but somehow with the exception of scent, I kind of always thought soaps/creams were a rather universal thing. If it lathered well for you, and provided you glide, surely it would do the same thing for me!?

But as I progress on this little journey I discover that not all soaps/crams work the same way for everyone. Be it the water, the brush or even the vigor a guy brings to the table... Who knows what it is? All I know is - use what works for you. There is nothing better that a great smelling, smooth gliding cream that leaves your skin feeling kissed when it's all done.

I was bored last night and decided to see if I could make Cella work by any means necessary. Vie Long horse brush have me airy, quickly dissipating lather - Worse than the Sem. 620 had the other morning. I wanted to use my SOC today so that stayed on the shelf. I went deep into the cabinet and grabbed a wal-mart VDH blue handle boar shedding machine. Loaded up almost all of the remaining sample. Hit up my low cost Wal-mart salsa bowl with some scores in the bottom. Three minutes of bowl lathering finally produced what I would call a good lather. Many dips of the brush tips in the basin to add a little more water. I am just glad I didn't buy a kg of the stuff.

Originally Posted by jfro

I have cut myself on two subsequent shaves in the same spot. Right side, just south of the jaw line. In fact they are parallel to each other. I suspect it is the last part of a down stroke (wtg). I figure I should take shorter strokes in this area. Cheeks are good, neck shows irritation at base of neck on under ears. Must concentrate more in those areas.

Coincidentally or not, both cuts came on days when I was using what I consider to be sub par lather, from a PIF of Cella. As much as some love that soap, I must be doing something wrong, but I am going to go back to Proraso or Windsor or a TOBS. Got some Mama Bears samples in this week, but will prob. only try them with a DE.

Pin addition to what you said about the lather not measuring up on those days, which can make the razor drag/grab, are you paying really lose attention to your blade angle as it moves through there? You have to keep laying it back or the angle will get really steep really fast. Adding that to subpar lather is a wonderful way to get cut

Originally Posted by KenWeir

Pin addition to what you said about the lather not measuring up on those days, which can make the razor drag/grab, are you paying really lose attention to your blade angle as it moves through there? You have to keep laying it back or the angle will get really steep really fast. Adding that to subpar lather is a wonderful way to get cut

I will have to pay more attention as I think shorter strokes would help, minding the angle.

Shorter strokes will make it a lot easier since there's lest change from beginning to end. I also find I seem to get better shaves when I keep the strokes down to an inch or so instead of one big sweep. Gives more opportunities to adjust angle, pressure, skin stretching, etc....

August was a good shaving product month. September is designated Straightember. I hope to acquire a modern straight and practice honing more. I did bring a Shumate's Barber back to life last night. Had to hone out a small dinger at 1k, then brought it up to near shave ready. I think the razor was sold to me at 5/8'' but it measures more like 4/8'' and is dwarfed by my 6/8'' W.H. Sample blade.