Greetings and a question

[red2]

Hello all,

This is going to be a long post so here is my question up front in case you don't wish to read it all:

How long does a really good shave last? Does anyone find that shaving 24 hours after a really close shave is too soon?

I’ve been using a shaving brush for the last 14 years. For nearly all that time I have been using Williams mug soap, gathering some lather in the mug and building it on my face. I started out using a Taylor of Old Bond Street faux ivory handle which accepted Gillette Trac II heads. But 10 or more years ago, I started using a Merkur Slant Bar razor which my father no longer wanted and Wallmart-type generic blades. (I just recently discovered that my razor was a called a slant bar.) I guess I developed relatively decent technique through trial and error. I got good shaves from this set up for years. However, oddly, I found that if I really wanted a great shave I waited for several days’ growth before I shaved and then ATG from the beginning.

About a year ago, I purchased a shave and a haircut from a charity auction. The guy is now my regular barber. $21 for the haircut $21 for the shave. Pretty good for the Northwest. After paying attention to what he did, I have added using a steamy towel on my lathered face for about 2 minutes twice before I shave. I ordered some steam towels, clubman original aftershave, and clubman shave talc from classicshaving.com

With the help of this forum, I think I have improved my technique. (I have been reading for about the past month.) I especially appreciate Leisureguy’s words about progressive reduction of stubble and multiple passes. Also, Kyle's how to on prep is extremely informative.

I have branched out and gotten some Poraso cream in the green tube from target. It is better than Williams, but I am not sure that I like the cooling effect.

What I am really trying to find out is how much stubble do you need to have in order to shave? Do I have thick, slow growing hair which is best served by a 48 hour wait? Or should I learn to shave after 24 hours while still looking pretty clean, with really short stubble? Also even after a the closest shaves, I am a blue shadow type.

Thanks for listening. Cheers!

[chop-chop]

Hello, Red2... and, Welcome to B&B!

It sounds as if you've achieved a good deal of success through trial and error, the tutilage of a good barber, and through implementing ideas that have been shared here on B&B.

Inheriting your father's slant-bar razor was good fortune! Have you tried the Feather blades with it? That combination seems to work the best for people who have your beard-type.

Your beard-type and skin-type appears to be one that will allow you to do about whatever you want, with regard to technique. However, I would still tend to follow the prescribed shaving techniques which have been recommended by Mantic and LeisureGuy. A gradual reduction of stubble vs a more agressive approach will probably yield a more comfortable shave that is healthier for your skin, and it will produce a smoother shave.

Using proper wetshaving techniques, you can shave as often as you'd like. A touch-up shave in the evening before a social event will be a refreshing thing to do... given the whole aesthetic aspect of wetshaving.

See you around the board!

Tchau,
chop-chop

[Jim]

Welcome Red!:biggrin:

I found this board while searching for a new brush, I also used the Williams for 30 years. Man was I angry when I finally used a good cream and soap!

You have lots of options for soaps and creams that do not have menthol or eucalyptus. Honeybee spa, Pre de Provence, L'occitane, Provence Sante' ect.
See the review tab on the top of the page for more ideas.

The letterK sampler pack of blades are a good way to try a bunch of blades and find the one for you.

The Derby or Swedish Gillette are my personal Nirvana with the Slant.

Good luck and welcome!

[Patrick D]

Hello all,

This is going to be a long post so here is my question up front in case you don't wish to read it all:

How long does a really good shave last? Does anyone find that shaving 24 hours after a really close shave is too soon?

I’ve been using a shaving brush for the last 14 years. For nearly all that time I have been using Williams mug soap, gathering some lather in the mug and building it on my face. I started out using a Taylor of Old Bond Street faux ivory handle which accepted Gillette Trac II heads. But 10 or more years ago, I started using a Merkur Slant Bar razor which my father no longer wanted and Wallmart-type generic blades. (I just recently discovered that my razor was a called a slant bar.) I guess I developed relatively decent technique through trial and error. I got good shaves from this set up for years. However, oddly, I found that if I really wanted a great shave I waited for several days’ growth before I shaved and then ATG from the beginning.

About a year ago, I purchased a shave and a haircut from a charity auction. The guy is now my regular barber. $21 for the haircut $21 for the shave. Pretty good for the Northwest. After paying attention to what he did, I have added using a steamy towel on my lathered face for about 2 minutes twice before I shave. I ordered some steam towels, clubman original aftershave, and clubman shave talc from classicshaving.com

With the help of this forum, I think I have improved my technique. (I have been reading for about the past month.) I especially appreciate Leisureguy’s words about progressive reduction of stubble and multiple passes. Also, Kyle's how to on prep is extremely informative.

I have branched out and gotten some Poraso cream in the green tube from target. It is better than Williams, but I am not sure that I like the cooling effect.

What I am really trying to find out is how much stubble do you need to have in order to shave? Do I have thick, slow growing hair which is best served by a 48 hour wait? Or should I learn to shave after 24 hours while still looking pretty clean, with really short stubble? Also even after a the closest shaves, I am a blue shadow type.

Thanks for listening. Cheers!

Once you have it down to where every shave is a good one, shaving once a day shouldn't be a problem. I would suggest that you maintain the reduction passes as you have been, even though your beard may not be long, you still want to do multiple passes instead of trying to knock it down all at once, or even two passes.

I use two levels of shaving, one when time is short and I just want to knock down the beard for the day, and when I have the time, slipping a Feather in my Vision and going for BBS. Either way, I've grown to not like the feel of any stubble and look forward to the next shave. YMMV

[Ernie]

Hi red, welcome to B&B.

You are obviously very well aware of what works for you.

Your final question, though, is truly a question of personal choice. If after 24 hours you are still satisfied with your shave, then I do not see a reason why you would have to shave.

Personally, once I get a really close shave, I still look acceptable after 24 hours, albeit not truly fresh. So I choose to shave every day that I want to look clean. But this may be a case of YMMV.

:)

[barnz]

Like you, my beard doesn't grow too fast at all, yet I choose to shave every day, perhpas even within 24 hours of my last (i.e. night shave followed by morning shave next day). Even though I still look fine, I can feel slight stubble, and a great shave both relaxes me and freshens me up, as others have said as well. With proper prep and technique, shaving every day, regardless of stubble, shouldn't have any negative effects on your shave or your skin. I know I could easily get away with going 2, even three days between shaves and look Ok, but when it's sooooooooooo good, why wait?:biggrin:

Ryan

[Soul Man]

If you manage to get a close shave every day, then why not?

Maybe I need perfecting my technique, but my tough beard/sensitive skin combo won't allow me to do so. Anyways, when I get a good BBS shave, I don't feel the need to shave the morning after - I just let my skin rest for the next shave.:thumbup1:

[FloppyShoes]

Ditto for me, I hit the sink every second day. My skin can't handle it every day. I also have the shadowy look no matter how close I get, so there isn't a significant difference in the way I look on the second day. My GF wil attest my face is like sandpaper on the second day, but better feeling like sandpaper than looking like manwich filling.

[Limey]

Red - I think I know what you mean. I also find it difficult to follow up a great shave with another. I equate it to golfing where it is extremely difficult to shoot a good round of golf then to do it again the next day. If you follow pro golf you know it happens there also.

Back to shaving, I try to stay with my routine that gives me good to great (BBS) results on a daily basis. I shave every day (7 days a week) and so far every day this year. I can get an excellent shave with 3 passes. The next day I will generally only go for a 2 pass shave which looks fine but obviously isn't nearly as close which then sets me up for a great 3 pass shave the next day.

That cycle seems to work for me!

[TromboneGuy]

It usually takes 4 passes to get a really close shave for me. After yesterday's brilliant shave (plus I was just feeling lazy) I only went for a 2-pass shave today, WTG and XTG. Still decently close, though my neck is a little skritchy. My face winds up pretty much BBS every day; I just adjust how close I want to try for on the neck that particular day.

[BroJohn]

Red --

Welcome aboard. Really, only you can answer the appropriate frequency of shaves for you; do what you're comfortable with. There are separate forums for soaps, creams, brushes, etc. spend a little time there and you'll get a feel for products that have gained acceptance by B&B'ers. There are many shave creams available to choose from in all price ranges, so you're not stuck with Proraso. We are blessed with many many soap offerings from the 'Three Sues', plus QED and The Gentlemans' Quarter from Colleen Hurley. Dive in. An adventure awaits...

-- John Gehman

[red2]

Thank you all for the warm welcome, encouragement, and helpful advice! :smile:

I plan to make an order for a sample blade package from LetterK today or tomorrow. I saw someone talk about an order for testing out the blades. I will do a search. Any pointers welcomed.

I also am going to play around with the idea of alternating few pass days with more pass days.

Thanks so much