Got the neck down! Best shave yet!
Hey all,
Been shaving with a DE razor for a few months now. The kit I originally got given consists of a locally-made [Mister Brand[ handle (appears to be modeled-off the 1949 super speed, with a longer handle), a best badger brush, locally-made soap and a pack of Feather blades (!).
Though I had success with a single pass with the Feathers, anything more just irritated my skin (not a great starter blade, Mister Brand). Thanks to a bit of lurking on SRP I figured that I had to try different blades and ordered a sample pack (Derby, Merkur, Astra Green, Gillette Yellow, Feather) that I've been working through. Found most success with Astra Greens (never irritate me and are sharp enough to leave me smooth).
I'm trying out a set-up that I'd be able to travel with, so, today's shave went:
- Hot towel
- Pre-shave oil (trying out Grim Blades 'smolder')
- Satin Tip synthetic brush with 'smolder' soap
- My trusty handle and Astra blade
- WTG, XTG, ATG - everywhere
- GB 'smolder' after-shave splash
Now, up until now, since I got blades that were more forgiving than the Feathers, I've been really gingerly doing a second pass ATG with bugger-all pressure to clean up my neck towards the end of my shave and leaving it at that.
Today, I decided to try a gentle WTG, XTG, ATG technique and, lo and behold, the planets aligned and my neck currently feels as smooth as my cheeks and chin. Pretty stoked to have figured this out and happy that I can continue to perfect this.
I'll be getting a vintage straight in the mail soon (thanks, Substance!), so, at least I know I'll have a reasonable DE technique to fall back on as I enter the world of straight shaving.
