Thread: What's this person doing?

Originally Posted by mbaglio100

Thanks Fabien. I was just wondering why. What is the perceived benefit of using it this way?

I think it would stiffen the whiskers and provide more "grip" for the razor edge. I have been thinking about trying this in combination with the cold water shave.

The alum help for having a straigh hair of beard, easyer to shave.
That's the idea of my friend.

Indeed he has his own shaving way.

Originally Posted by Fabien

The alum help for having a straigh hair of beard, easyer to shave.
That's the idea of my friend.

Indeed he has his own shaving way.

The alum will close the pores and maybe make the hair stand up more. I might have to try it and see what happens.

Holy mother... That guy knows his way round' his face with a straight...

Originally Posted by boyyoyo

Holy mother... That guy knows his way round' his face with a straight...

I couldn't agree more! That pass around his chin was awe inspriring. I'd use an alum block pre-shave if I thought it would make a razor flow like that across my face. Well done. And how about that against the grain follow up with no lather?

I wouldn't have to get up 20 minutes early of I could shave like that!

He's great with a straight that's for sure. I am not one to rush a shave but he rivals Willi Peter's video on you tube. I think it's posted in the video section here too. He's the guy in Switzerland who strops, lathers and shaves two passes in under 4 minutes.

I agree that the alum is probably getting the skin and whiskers taught and straight which would help(assuming)with a more efficient shave.Sort of like how cold water shaving works.I am going to try this.

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

Waaaay to much fiddling around with the edge. How many times does he "test' the edge with his thumb? Wipes it with his shirt? Leave the edge alone!

Hey, I haven't seen you around in a awhile..I thought you dropped off..Good to see you still here..

Originally Posted by mbaglio100

Interesting. I've noticed when I nick myself and have to apply styptic between the first pass and the second, it seems to kill my lather. We'll have to see what the French speaking shavers say.

I tried this last night and the first round of lather disappeared on contact. So I loaded the brush and applied a second coat using a more painting motion and the lather stayed.

Need to try it a few more times to see if I notice a big difference.

What does he have hanging on the alum block? Is that a leather strap? Does it go through the block or is it just wrapped around the base?

Thank you,
--Shoki

The alum block is commonly used as an astringent to cleanse pores after a shave. I'm willing to bet that most of us shave a freshly washed, clean face. The alum block pre-shave would likely serve to cleanse pores on an unwashed face, so as to prevent breakouts from trapped oils. Just a possibility, as it appears that he didn't wash his face before shaving.

What I find most impressive is the amount of touch-ups with just water. I would be tempted to relather after seeing just one or two rough spots!

Also notice how the toilet tissue doesn't shred at all when he wipes his face. Now that's BBS!