My ninth DE shave aka all shave soaps are not equal...

My ninth DE shave found me using a new shave soap, WSP Formulat mahogany shea butter and tallow shave soap (made in the USA-Chandler, AZ to be exact), still rocking the Personna blades, synthetic brush and the short handle Gillette.

At this point, I had better gear, was becoming familar with it, understood the finer points of prep work and had my ego brought back to earth. So, was looking forward to it.

Showered, and used a healthy two almond sized dollops of Formulat. The lather wasn't as great as I had gotten from my previous shave with a sample of RazoRock classic Italian shave soap (I see why people speak highly of this product). It lathered but, I noticed it was full of bubbles. I continued to whip, hoping to increase the thickness and eliminate the bubbles, but no go. So, I proceeded. I actually used the lather in the shower first with my head shave. Which was great (very smooth after 3 passes).

I exited the shower, and used the Gillette short handle. I have come to believe that a shorter handle afforded me more control than a longer one (counter to what I presumed after starting shaving that longer handles would accommodate my larger hands better and to allow for better control-live and learn). The lather kept distracting me, thinking I had some flat spots in the foam. But, nevertheless. I got in four passes, which I'm prone to do now (a little chasing the baby maybe, due to having curly stubble in many problem spots-seeking to minimize ingrown hairs). I did WTG, ATG, XTG and WTG. I believe this was my first tallow soap, and I love anything shea butter. I escaped with a weeper or two (much better checking the foam on the blade for crimson now). But they were due to me passing over the same areas without foam-a bad habit I need to break myself of.

I re-entered the shower and did the head to toe cold spritz. I finished with a tea tree aftershave and Nivea lotion for men. The take away was there will be good shaves, they're will be bad, but mostly I get to decide.

BTW, I missed a spot on the nape of my neck to the right side and suffer a bad, but small patch of ingrown hairs. I was able to handle with tweezers, but again realized perfection is more myth than reality. Its been a few days, but I can still feel the roughness of the skin. So, a reminder that good is good enough for now.

I have one lathering tip that may help. As you begin to load your brush, stop and observe the soap that is in the brush fibers. Does it look solid and dense, or is it bubbly and thin? Don't wait until you've loaded the brush fully before you do this. If the soap looks wet and thin, don't continue to load, thinking that you'll be able to whip it into a good lather. Discard the soap and begin the loading anew. This is how I make a great lather, every time, with hard to lather soaps. With practice, you will rarely have to discard soap. I usually aim for a brush that is fully loaded with dense, gummy soap, that is too dry to make a good lather. Then I slowly add a few drops as I face lather or bowl lather. Works for me, hope it helps you. Oh, one more thing. When I say "fully loaded", that doesn't have to mean from the tips of the fibers to the base, that would be overkill with a large brush, or it could be just right with a small brush. Play with it, I think it will work for you.

These things take time, so don't chase that BBS too soon. You will get there. I have to say Personna blades were the best for me too you won't go far wrong sticking with them.

I had a lot of trouble getting a good lather from any kind of soap when I first started, so I switched to cream instead, Truefitt & Hill is truly remarkable and much easier to lather than soap. When I got the hang of everything else I gave soap another try and now use soap almost exclusively.

It's not just the shave technique that is a new skill to pick up with this hobby but as it all clicks into place you will know why you made the switch. I have since switched to straights and am loving the learning process all over again.

Good luck and enjoy.

Yes i also need more water for certain types of soaps, some soaps barely need a wet brush while others can handle a fully soaked brush


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