Pbalkan
06-06-2011, 03:12 PM
... or a 45 minute shaving experience.
We had a house-guest this weekend. A pediatrician from Phoenix and an old friend. He's known about my other "hobbies," so he was interested and amused to hear about wet-shaving and see my growing collection of brushes, razors, blades and soaps.
Since my bathroom has two sinks, I invited him to do a wet-shave, side by side. I would highly recommend this as a teaching tool.
I chose a 40's notched Superspeed for him, with an Astra blade, sharp but forgiving.
No shower so we did a full prep. He's a guy who takes good care of himself but he loved the prep... an initial wash with hard French soap, followed by a deep wash with Neutrogena facial wash (with grit). Our brushes were soaking but we took them out to rinse, so as not to get that grit in them. Next, Proraso pre-shave, which he loved. He was told to just rub it in good and not rinse.
Soap was Cella and he quickly got the "hang" of it as I watched him and told him how to lather and when to continually add water as it worked up.
Then shaving--- first pass. I warned him about the "trouble areas" and he told me where he gets in trouble with the carts (and I told him how to avoid it). He had a nice touch and got through the first pass with no blood.
He looked closely, in the mirror, at himself, and declared that he LOOKED better he usually does after a shave. He couldn't SEE stubble but he could still feel it. I told him that he could quit now or continue and he chose the latter.
We then did a 2nd pass of everything but under the nose which we had carefully done before and I thought should not be pressed too much. At the 2nd pass, he remarked that his face felt great except for one area of tiny weepers.
I told him that he had now reduced his beard to the point where an ATG pass could be made without great risk of irritation. He thought about it and decided to "go for it." He was amazed by the results... never having felt a smoother face.
We then rinsed and he told me that he had "some" stinging. I asked him how much and determined that he might want to use the Alum block (while I used Witch Hazel). When the Alum block was done and dried, he couldn't believe how much his minor irritation had lessened.
I then had him rinse the Alum, dry and apply RazoRock After-Shave Wax. He was skeptical that such a small amount would do anything and he was also skeptical that the initial greasy feeling would absorb and pass. But, again, he was amazed at the "repair" of his slightly too close shave and the way he felt.
He did great.... no cuts, some trivial weepers and just a tad of irritation, easily addressed with balm. I wish I had had someone to walk me through step by step.
I have come to agree with Joe at Italian Barber that you can get a DECENT shave from a $10.00 brush or a dull blade.... IF your prep, soap and after-shave treatment is first rate. YMMV.
Incidentally, MY shave was terrific as well.
This was a first for me. I've talked to a lot of people about wet-shaving with different reactions. Sometimes there is interest, sometimes derision and sometimes boredom. But, I'll bet I can guarantee a convert if I can walk someone through their first BBS shave!
We had a house-guest this weekend. A pediatrician from Phoenix and an old friend. He's known about my other "hobbies," so he was interested and amused to hear about wet-shaving and see my growing collection of brushes, razors, blades and soaps.
Since my bathroom has two sinks, I invited him to do a wet-shave, side by side. I would highly recommend this as a teaching tool.
I chose a 40's notched Superspeed for him, with an Astra blade, sharp but forgiving.
No shower so we did a full prep. He's a guy who takes good care of himself but he loved the prep... an initial wash with hard French soap, followed by a deep wash with Neutrogena facial wash (with grit). Our brushes were soaking but we took them out to rinse, so as not to get that grit in them. Next, Proraso pre-shave, which he loved. He was told to just rub it in good and not rinse.
Soap was Cella and he quickly got the "hang" of it as I watched him and told him how to lather and when to continually add water as it worked up.
Then shaving--- first pass. I warned him about the "trouble areas" and he told me where he gets in trouble with the carts (and I told him how to avoid it). He had a nice touch and got through the first pass with no blood.
He looked closely, in the mirror, at himself, and declared that he LOOKED better he usually does after a shave. He couldn't SEE stubble but he could still feel it. I told him that he could quit now or continue and he chose the latter.
We then did a 2nd pass of everything but under the nose which we had carefully done before and I thought should not be pressed too much. At the 2nd pass, he remarked that his face felt great except for one area of tiny weepers.
I told him that he had now reduced his beard to the point where an ATG pass could be made without great risk of irritation. He thought about it and decided to "go for it." He was amazed by the results... never having felt a smoother face.
We then rinsed and he told me that he had "some" stinging. I asked him how much and determined that he might want to use the Alum block (while I used Witch Hazel). When the Alum block was done and dried, he couldn't believe how much his minor irritation had lessened.
I then had him rinse the Alum, dry and apply RazoRock After-Shave Wax. He was skeptical that such a small amount would do anything and he was also skeptical that the initial greasy feeling would absorb and pass. But, again, he was amazed at the "repair" of his slightly too close shave and the way he felt.
He did great.... no cuts, some trivial weepers and just a tad of irritation, easily addressed with balm. I wish I had had someone to walk me through step by step.
I have come to agree with Joe at Italian Barber that you can get a DECENT shave from a $10.00 brush or a dull blade.... IF your prep, soap and after-shave treatment is first rate. YMMV.
Incidentally, MY shave was terrific as well.
This was a first for me. I've talked to a lot of people about wet-shaving with different reactions. Sometimes there is interest, sometimes derision and sometimes boredom. But, I'll bet I can guarantee a convert if I can walk someone through their first BBS shave!