Thread: Interesting

Well, I just finished my 5th shave. The first shave went pretty good considering. Two passes = one small nick. The second shave not quite as easy (improper stropping I assume). The next three got better each time. I nick the same spot each time because it's a bump so I'm expecting it (it doesn't even really bleed and when I wipe it it's gone). I got my Tabac in the mail and used it the last 2 times. What a difference! I should get my C.O. Bigelow Eucalyptus (proraso substitue) any day now to try also. I've got a really "coarse" beard that grows fairly fast (especially on the chin area) but ultra sensitive skin so I normally can't shave but every few days to keep from feeling like my face was on fire and someone put it out with a pick axe. The first thing I find interesting is that I have shaved every day so far since getting the razor. I know I shouldn't but I can't wait to see how I'm coming along with my technique. I also find it so much fun (for lack of a better word). The other thing I find interesting is that although my face can tell it's getting shaved too much it's nothing like if I'd been using the M3 every time. Actually I shave twice each time (WTG and XTG). I'm also getting very good shaves. I'm still not getting the hang of the ATG. It seems like the blade "grabs" too much and doesn't want to glide right. I'm not sure if I'm scared of cutting myself or just knowing it's going to irritate me to the max but I've not been doing it. I'm sure I will but not right now. Well, just thought I'd update my progress a little. Overall, I rather pleased with myself!! Oh, one more thing. Although my new strop was nice and new I rubbed in some Kiwi Leather conditioner and cleaner real well. I was surprised it didn't change the color of the leather (I applied quite a bit even though there was nothing to remove although I did wipe it with a towel). It really helped the results of the stropping. I'm using equal amounts of the canvas and then the leather (appx 30 each). Made quite a difference.

glad to hear you are having such success! One point that may cause discussion... lots of people get BBS (baby bottom smooth) shave with just using "with the grain" and "across the grain" passes. I am one of them. Lots of literature says don't do AGT (to avoid ingrown hairs), other stuff says to do it. For me, once I learned light pressure I found I was able to do touch ups (extra passes) with the grain and across it wherever I needed to get it closer to make it BBS without getting razor burn.

Anyway, sounds like you are in great shape and well on your way...

Welcome to Straight Shaving and SRP. You are off to a good start and a goal for you is to keep refining your technique to become more efficent. You will get to know your face well and know how to shave it efficiently.

Keep reading up on the SRP Wiki to expand your knowledge.

Pabster

When you strop it seems to be just a common practice to do twice as many passes on leather and on canvas. like 30 canvas then 60 leather. The passes don't have to be so high but that seems to be the common 20 and 40 25 and 50, you get the point. As far as putting leather conditioner on a new strop it is not necessary. Just take your strop and every so often rub the palm of your hand up and down the strop several times with both hands (like your stroping your palm) the natural oils from your hand will help condition your strop.

Other than that sounds like your on the right path. The atg passes will come with time. The coarse areas of the face atg are tough and take a real lite touch so just hang in there and enjoy

Good Luck
Stephan

Kempster,

Since you have a coarse beard and sensitive skin, have you considered washing your face with some baby shampoo? If its mild enough for a baby it should be mild enough for your face and may help condition your beard.

BTW...Baby shampoo is a great body wash too. The nurses used it as part of my daily bath when I was in the hospital many years ago.