JoWolf’s Lather Slide

[JoWolf]

Sunday April 14

Blade - Single Use Feather
Razor - Lupo OC95 driven with a Chiseled Face Pineapple Twist Titanium Handle
Brush - Zenith Boar B35-31x57mm
Soap - SV-Franken - Three combined soaps Felce Aromatica, Tundra Artica, Cosmo

Last month in a half I’ve gotten back to my weekly shaves. Prior to that, from last November I was using the electric with shave intervals anywhere from four to eleven days. I believe shavers with regular shave intervals accomplish best comfort and skin health. ATG single pass shaves continue in efficiency refinement. Enjoying my locked four. Simplicity of the four and single pass shaves have enhanced my skin comfort. Shave enjoyment continues.

I’ve never cared for razors that required me to change my shave style to adapt to their efficiencies. My long run with the Fatip Grande was because it suited my shave style perfectly. My change to the Lupo was possible because the physical dimensions and weight mirrored the Grande’s. A custom handle change required to close the deal. Increased efficiency was the driver for the change. Improved styling, lower head profile also appreciated. I certainly don’t miss fiddling with blade alignment on nine out of ten blade changes. I thought I would just carry on with improved efficiency.

Lupo’s efficiency has driven me to change my shave stroke. Moving away from my quick short triple stroke. Too a hybrid buffing stroke. One quick stroke, backslide and quick forward stroke. Basically a buffing stroke that I have used from my beginnings with DE shaving. Only now I use it exclusively for my full face and head shave. It was very natural and easy for the head shaves because of my choked grip on the handle just under the razor head. The last two face shaves I’ve adapted to that same grip. Over my shave journey I would always think an improvement would be my last. My close shaves are usually 24-36 hrs before full whisker growth is established. I believe I’ve moved it up to 36-48 now. This week’s face shave was my first complete shave with the hybrid stroke. There was a slight warmth on my neck areas with the alum, but no irritation. Great skin comfort was enjoyed with post shave elixirs.

I won’t make any bold efficiency statements about the Lupo. I know better. My journey with the wolf has indeed been short. I do know I love this wolf and believe there are still dark secrets to discover.

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Happy Shaves

A follow up on Sunday’s shave. Twenty four hour whiskers just broken through skin. Buffing stroke used for complete face and head shave very successful. First shave where both face and head whiskers are at the same length post shave. Uniform whisker growth. Strong argument for consistency in stroke and shave plan. The second backstroke of the triple buffing stroke re-applies lather ensuring good lubrication and skin protection. Only an open comb can do this. My standard triple stroke does not have that re-lather application. My concern for skin irritation especially after alum warmth felt on neck, unwarranted. Post shave skin nourishment delivered elevated skin comfort. Definitely more blade feel with a buffing stroke. Soft touch is critical. Looking forward to next Sundays shave. Exploring new techniques exciting. Expanding efficiency and comfort rewarding.

 

[Eric_75]

A follow up on my Sunday shave. Twenty four hours and whiskers have just broken through skin. The buffing stroke used for all of face and head shave has been very successful. It is my first shave where both face and head whiskers are at the same length post shave. Uniform whisker growth. A strong argument for consistency in stroke and shave plan. The second backstroke of the triple buffing stroke re-applies lather and ensures good lubrication and skin protection. Only an open comb can do this. My standard triple stroke does not have that re-lather application. I was concerned that I might have skin irritation especially with the alum warmth felt on my neck. Post shave skin nourishment has all skin at an elevated skin comfort. There definitely is more blade feel with a buffing stroke. Soft touch is critical. Looking forward to next Sundays shave. Exploring new techniques very exciting. Expanding efficiency and comfort rewarding.

Have a blessed evening, John.

 

[JoWolf]

Have a blessed evening, John.

And to you as well. Thank you Eric.

 

[Guido75]

Did you also change directionally John or are your strokes (still) S-N (presuming you are ASP ATG)?

I might tag along to try this with my ATG pass as well - I also think I mighty have already?!…hmmm… need to check this morning.

 

[JoWolf]

Did you also change directionally John or are your strokes (still) S-N (presuming you are ASP ATG)?

I might tag along to try this with my ATG pass as well - I also think I mighty have already?!…hmmm… need to check this morning.

Yes Guido all my passes are ATG. The whorls on the back of my head need multi directional passes which I had done with my previous strokes as well. Either side of my neck are opposites and ATG is east to west. Under the chin line are the same. Directly under my chin is S-N as both of my cheeks are as well. All sides of my head are S-N. Not a very complicated shave map. It took me a few shaves to adapt the grip on the razor to duplicate my head passes. Once that was accomplished everything became straight forward and simple. All my strokes are the same for full face and head. Although my razor grip is choked under the razor head, it is a very loose grip. I had also lightened up on the touch as well. There is more blade feel but also a softer touch. Using the same blade, the same razor and the same strokes maintains a very tight consistency. I believe your multiple razor changes and blade campaigning on every shave will complicate your challenges to shave in this fashion. As you know buffing strokes are the most difficult and prone to skin irritation. My suggestion to you would be to use a locked four and a fresh blade. Otherwise your multiple adjustments will be difficult in maintaining a good consistency.

 

[JoWolf]

Yes Guido all my passes are ATG. The whorls on the back of my head need multi directional passes which I had done with my previous strokes as well. Either side of my neck are opposites and ATG is east to west. Under the chin line are the same. Directly under my chin is S-N as both of my cheeks are as well. All sides of my head are S-N. Not a very complicated shave map. It took me a few shaves to adapt the grip on the razor to duplicate my head passes. Once that was accomplished everything became straight forward and simple. All my strokes are the same for full face and head. Although my razor grip is choked under the razor head, it is a very loose grip. I had also lightened up on the touch as well. There is more blade feel but also a softer touch. Using the same blade, the same razor and the same strokes maintains a very tight consistency. I believe your multiple razor changes and blade campaigning on every shave will complicate your challenges to shave in this fashion. As you know buffing strokes are the most difficult and prone to skin irritation. My suggestion to you would be to use a locked four and a fresh blade. Otherwise your multiple adjustments will be difficult in maintaining a good consistency.

Guido I forgot to mention that all my shaves have always been designed to shave ultra close and extend my shaves to once a week. That may not be your goal. I know you enjoy shaving daily. This shave is indeed closer because of the Lupo’s efficiency. I’ll have a better read on the shave next Sunday. Continued practice with the locked four will also improve consistency and comfort. My shave design and routines are exactly opposite to yours. There is no right way to shave. There are however many different shaves.

 

[Guido75]

Thanks John for your elaborate replies. Helpful and you are right…

I know you enjoy shaving daily.

….Shaving once a week is not going to fly for me or the LOTH for that matter. My skin doesn’t take to ASP-ATG either at this moment (and I know you didn’t just do it either - it is a journey). But I do like to increase effectiveness where I can.

 

[JoWolf]

Thanks John for your elaborate replies. Helpful and you are right…

….Shaving once a week is not going to fly for me or the LOTH for that matter. My skin doesn’t take to ASP-ATG either at this moment (and I know you didn’t just do it either - it is a journey). But I do like to increase effectiveness where I can.

My skin doesn’t take to ASP-ATG either at this moment (and I know you didn’t just do it either - it is a journey).

The skin is definitely a major factor Guido. It was over two years of trial and error with products and techniques before arriving at suitable skin comfort. Like all shavers we gravitate towards our best comfort and in my case that is weekly shaves. Improving upon our shaves with efficiencies enabling higher comfort. The most exciting part of the hobby. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to enjoy this community in supporting our OCD practices. Our shaves have become a hobby. If you mention your shave practices to a non believer. I love the look they give you.

 

[Guido75]

If you mention your shave practices to a non believer. I love the look they give you.

Did just that in a meeting with external people visiting our office trying to explain the concept of and idea behind GRUYERE…

 

[Balin]

Did just that in a meeting with external people visiting our office trying to explain the concept of and idea behind GRUYERE…

View attachment 1830582

Yeah, I keep that stuff to myself

 

[JoWolf]

Sunday April 21

Blade - Single Use Feather
Razor - Lupo OC95 driven with a Chiseled Face Pineapple Twist Titanium Handle
Brush - Zenith Boar B35-31x57mm
Soap - SV-Franken - Three combined soaps Felce Aromatica, Tundra Artica, Cosmo

A wonderful close shave. Lupo’s efficiencies continuing to improve with each shave. Reminiscent of my early Fatip Grande shaves. A new razor exciting, challenging with each experience. Striving for enhancement of greater skin comfort. A pleasant journey. Early days with the Grande were complicated. Learning techniques and trying to acquire the elusive Soft Touch. A patient two year journey. Another year to be totally relaxed during the shave. Fifty some odd shaves per year stretching the DE experience.

Your one week whiskers are still socially acceptable. A rare comment from my wife. Today’s shave I still encountered a little alum warmth on my neck. A little return buffing the cause. My razor grip for face shaving not quite as good as the head shaving grip. No head buffing required. The shaves very close. Enjoying the single pass shaves.

Happy Shaves