tempeViking
08-12-2011, 09:17 AM
Hi folks,
Just getting started on Badger and Blade. Wow, what a great resource! With your permission I wanted to document some of my experiences as I get back to shaving with a safety razor.
I learned how to shave with one when I was like 3, of course I still have the scar on my chin, but boy, talk about a SBB shave :-> I did use a safety razor when I actually needed to shave when I was in high school.
After that I used a variety of cartridge style razors, Track II's, Mach 3's, etc. About ten years ago, I grew a beard and trimmed it on my cheeks and neck. I have to confess that some mornings I shaved dry with a cheap disposable. Just hacked of the whiskers and ran out the door.
About a month ago the grey in the beard was looking pretty "regal" so I shaved off the beard. I was shaving OK, but it was still a chore and I choked when I went to the store to buy some new cartridges. So, I bought the cheapest package of disposables from Old Spice and had at it.
Then came Badger and Blade. I'd decided I wanted to go back to shaving with a safety razor and this site was one of the first place that popped up.
After reading the postings, Wiki and reviews I ordered some stuff from QED which has yet to arrive.
However, I wanted to offer and suggest to other newbies that after reading the method guides and watching manic59 videos, I went ahead and started practicing proper prep and technique. Boy what a difference!
Just using my ultra-cheap Old Spice disposables, with proper prep and method I'm getting a nice comfortable and close shave. Much better than I would ever have expected.
Things you can practice without having all the "stuff".
1) Prep - I've been rinsing my face with hot water and massaging in some body moisturizer into my whiskers to get them really nice and hydrated.
2) Holding the razor - Seems like most cartridges expect you to really bear down. You don't have to though. I've purposely adjusted my grip to finger tips at the end of the handle and rested the head on my skin with very little pressure, like you would expect to with a safety razor.
3) Method - For the first week I just did two passes with the grain, then changed to two passes, WTG and ATG. Even with the light pressure and cheap cartridge, this is very comfortable and creates a nice close shave. Doing this with the very forgiving cartridge allows me to make mistakes which I know I've done going XTG. I haven't mastered that yet, but no nicks so I can experiment with my face and not leave damage :->
4) Patience - Knocking off my whiskers with a 30 second dry shave doesn't happen anymore. I'm enjoying the puttering, washing and rinsing. What was a 30 second job is taking me about 15 minutes now, but they are my 15 minutes and very enjoyable, even without my "stuff".
That's it for my first post. I wanted to encourage others who may be wanting to make the switch to go ahead and practice with whatever you have on hand. You'll get better results and enjoy yourself while you wait for the perfect gear to arrive!
Just getting started on Badger and Blade. Wow, what a great resource! With your permission I wanted to document some of my experiences as I get back to shaving with a safety razor.
I learned how to shave with one when I was like 3, of course I still have the scar on my chin, but boy, talk about a SBB shave :-> I did use a safety razor when I actually needed to shave when I was in high school.
After that I used a variety of cartridge style razors, Track II's, Mach 3's, etc. About ten years ago, I grew a beard and trimmed it on my cheeks and neck. I have to confess that some mornings I shaved dry with a cheap disposable. Just hacked of the whiskers and ran out the door.
About a month ago the grey in the beard was looking pretty "regal" so I shaved off the beard. I was shaving OK, but it was still a chore and I choked when I went to the store to buy some new cartridges. So, I bought the cheapest package of disposables from Old Spice and had at it.
Then came Badger and Blade. I'd decided I wanted to go back to shaving with a safety razor and this site was one of the first place that popped up.
After reading the postings, Wiki and reviews I ordered some stuff from QED which has yet to arrive.
However, I wanted to offer and suggest to other newbies that after reading the method guides and watching manic59 videos, I went ahead and started practicing proper prep and technique. Boy what a difference!
Just using my ultra-cheap Old Spice disposables, with proper prep and method I'm getting a nice comfortable and close shave. Much better than I would ever have expected.
Things you can practice without having all the "stuff".
1) Prep - I've been rinsing my face with hot water and massaging in some body moisturizer into my whiskers to get them really nice and hydrated.
2) Holding the razor - Seems like most cartridges expect you to really bear down. You don't have to though. I've purposely adjusted my grip to finger tips at the end of the handle and rested the head on my skin with very little pressure, like you would expect to with a safety razor.
3) Method - For the first week I just did two passes with the grain, then changed to two passes, WTG and ATG. Even with the light pressure and cheap cartridge, this is very comfortable and creates a nice close shave. Doing this with the very forgiving cartridge allows me to make mistakes which I know I've done going XTG. I haven't mastered that yet, but no nicks so I can experiment with my face and not leave damage :->
4) Patience - Knocking off my whiskers with a 30 second dry shave doesn't happen anymore. I'm enjoying the puttering, washing and rinsing. What was a 30 second job is taking me about 15 minutes now, but they are my 15 minutes and very enjoyable, even without my "stuff".
That's it for my first post. I wanted to encourage others who may be wanting to make the switch to go ahead and practice with whatever you have on hand. You'll get better results and enjoy yourself while you wait for the perfect gear to arrive!