Newbie Report (last couple months of shaving)

[armenjc]

I wanted to wait until I had a couple months of WS'ing with my DE before I reported back to you guys about my experience.

1st shave (circa Feb) : After a good hot shower, I used my 1940's SS with Peronna (Israel) blade, AOS lemon shaving cream applied w/AOS badger brush.

I followed your advice and didn't try to go for that BBS shave the first time. Mind you, I was switching over from a Mach3, so I knew it would be different, but it wasn't as hard as I thought. I did 3 passes WTG/across/ATG. The blade felt good in my hand - I love the weight. I found a good angle and the right pressure to keep it from skipping over my skin, but also not pressing too hard. I think I did pretty good :thumbup1: No cuts! Not BBS, but I'll take it on my first attempt!

2nd shave (following day) : Same set up as above except no pre-shave oil; same blade (2nd use). Similar experience, a bit closer. Did a 4th pass for clean up. No cuts again!

3nd shave (following day) : I think the blade at this point was worn out. I see what you guys mean about the Personna being "forgiving" - it seems a bit too flexible for my barbwire Armenian beard. I'm getting to know the direction of my beard growth a lot better by now. After the shave , I found a lot of little dots of blood on my neck and some serious razor burn. Ouch. I think I got too cocky. :laugh: So with these Personnas, I don't think they are good for more than 2-3 shaves for me. If I do 2 shaves w/4 passes each, I dump 'em.

Since February, I've used a NB Signature cream, Proraso (green) and Williams Shave Soap. I didn't like the Proraso. I shaved with it 3 times. Each time the razor cleared an area on my face, if I went over it again, it was tacky and didn't keep my face lubed. I also don't care for the scent. I've used Trumpers Skin Food (lime) as a preshave under the NB cream and that works nicely on certain days.

The NB and AOS keep my face lubed real smooth. I even found some Williams shave soap (94 cents at Wal-Mart!) and it did a better job for me than the Proraso. I also found that if I'm going to use the AOS preshave oil that I get a better shave if I mix the AOS/NB creams a bit thinner than normal.

I still haven't been able to get as smooth a shave as I was w/my Mach 3, but I'm guessing it's because of the Personna blades. I believe it's time to get that sampler pack and see which one works best with my SS. I'm also interested in trying out some other DE models.

I am however enjoying the experience of shaving for the first time in my life. I believe I now understand aromatherapy!

That's my report! Am I still a newbie? When do I graduate?

[fritz]

<snip>I think the blade at this point was worn out. I see what you guys mean about the Personna being "forgiving" - it seems a bit too flexible for my barbwire Armenian beard.
<snip>
I didn't like the Proraso. I shaved with it 3 times. Each time the razor cleared an area on my face, if I went over it again, it was tacky and didn't keep my face lubed.
If you have a really tough beard, it helps to do more prep than you have described (pre-shave cleanser to remove oil, lather, hot towels) AND then use a sharp blade. The blade sampler pack from letterk (West Coast Shaving) is a move in the right direction.

You really should not go over the same spot once the lather has been cleared. This is almost guaranteed to irritate your skin. (Even worse, it won't shave the whiskers very well, either.) It's the same even if you use a lather that's a little slicker, or a shaving oil. (It also might be that you don't have quite enough water in your Proraso lather.) Wait until the next pass, or smear a little lather on a small spot with your free hand. This is one of the hardest habits to break when you come from cart shaving. On the last (touch-up) pass, you can smear on a little lather in a rough spot, determine the grain, and then stroke it once.

[Leisureguy]

I would agree, it's time to get a sampler pack:

In the US: here (http://www.westcoastshaving.com) and here (http://www.razorandbrush.com/Sampler.html).
In the UK (http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/samplepack.html).

I also think that, once your technique is good, you might try using the Merkur Slant Bar. Before that, you might find the HD a better razor for you than the somewhat gentle Super Speed.

Welcome.

[armenjc]

Thanks for taking the time in reading my post and replying with the great info guys. I really appreciate it...still working on breaking bad habits.

[gse123]

You really should not go over the same spot once the lather has been cleared. This is almost guaranteed to irritate your skin. (Even worse, it won't shave the whiskers very well, either.)

This is THE hardest thing to stick to if you are a recent Mach 3 / Fusion convert I think. I have to really concerntrate so as not to not go over the same bit twice, on the same pass.

[fritz]

This is THE hardest thing to stick to if you are a recent Mach 3 / Fusion convert I think. I have to really concentrate so as not to not go over the same bit twice, on the same pass.
For some, it helps to think that your task is not to remove whiskers, but to remove lather. So if that's your task, just remove that lather and go on to the next pass. It's an attitude thing.:wink:

[Leisureguy]

Good tip, Fritz. And if you think of the razor (and blade) as trying to scoop under the lather, you'll probably also get the blade at the right angle. And since the lather doesn't weigh much, no need to bear down: light pressure.

[fritz]

Good tip, Fritz. And if you think of the razor (and blade) as trying to scoop under the lather, you'll probably also get the blade at the right angle. And since the lather doesn't weigh much, no need to bear down: light pressure.
Must be an author!:rolleyes: I think I feel a sequel coming: Zen and the Art of Gourmet Shaving.:thumbup:

Just a little razz, Michael! I think you and I agree that a big fraction of a great shave is mental...:blink:

[Leisureguy]

Yes, and certainly the mental images we have influence our technique. Great book with many examples: A Life of One's Own (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?tn=a+life+of+one%27s+own&sts=t&an=joanna+field&y=13&x=59), by Joanna Field. Worth reading.