I've started an experiment today (very unscientific, of course) that will continue for the next 10 shaves (2weeks or so).
My purpose for posting it is:
1. A place to journal
2. Receive feedback from our esteemed shaving elders (fancy way to say more experienced shavers)
3. If anyone reads it and gets just 1 thing to improve their shave, it'll have been worth the time to type it.
Here it is:
I've noticed that I have accumulated a lot of differing techniques and advice from a great many sources. I am not a collector and I'm not into restoration, I simply want a close, comfortable shave. I have been inspired by the barbering textbook/manuals in that these were men who shaved multiple people daily and essentially used nothing but a razor, hone and strop and a couple of very simple tests for keenness of edge.
I propose to take and combine some of the advice and techniques learned into a simple, enjoyable daily routine.
My hypothesis:
I will achieve an enjoyable, comfortable shave with minimal maintenance using the following approach.
1. Beard prep begins in the shower with washing my face then using the facecloth to do a brief hot towel treatment.
2. TGQ cream will provide the best lubrication and least drying effect than cake soap
3. Long strokes are better than short
4. Diagonal positioning of the blade is desirable. (this is the guillotine that honedright mentioned in a previous thread with this difference - heel leading will be easier for much of the face than will tip leading)
5. Starting my strokes used for more difficult areas (ie -chin) further away and continuing with light pressure and the diagonal position of the blade will help give a closer, less irritating shave. (For example, start my XTG pass on the chin by placing the blade half way between ear and chin, take a long stroke and do not stop once I feel resistance - this is where the pulling for me occurs as I stop at the first feeling of resistance and get the blade stuck. By continuing a long, diagonal, light stroke, I will slice through the hair and the result is less passes being needed thus less irritation.
6. Strop between first and second passes (it's in the barbering textbook and must be there for a reason)
7. Edge maintenance will be done using the thumbpad and thumbnail test as supplied by Joe Lerch (I'll add a link later to the summary he once provided).
I will say this, I tried this today with a result that is very satisfying. I want to give it a series of 10 shaves to see if I can duplicate the results consistently.
I am aware that to many, this is a "well, no (blank) Sherlock" type of thing. And I certainly don't propose this as the end all, be all of shaving. I'm simply chronicling what my experience is toward a shave that I can be happy with. Everyone's definition of that type of a shave and method of achieving it is their own.