This process is very interesting, isn't it!

[bettershaves]

So, yesterday I had a terrible shave...terrible. Lots of stubble left, lots of burning and irritation and very dissatisfying. What's interesting is that I have been at this for a while and the education just never seems to end. Just when you think you are getting good at it you do something stupid like apply too much pressure, go for too many passes, forget about blade angle, don't build a good lather, get lazy on prep, etc. My terrible shave was definitely about technique. Today, I concentrated really hard on no pressure. It is really easy to forget that after so many (27 years) of cartridge shaving where it never really made much of a difference. I also stretched the skin out more today on my trouble spots and I got a dfs. I really slowed down, too. When I first began I would take a long time on the first pass and then I started speeding up because I thought the first one was really just about making a dent. But...going more slowly on the first made the subsequent passes easier. Also, no pressure really and truly means no pressure. Stretch more rather than push harder is definitely my new mantra. Is it weird that I look so forward to all of this. It's like some sort of strange cult or something. I just find the whole experience so invigorating. Also, I tried Sharks for the first time. I like them! I still think I might like the Precisions more but I also like to mix it up a little. You know, 10 blades of a few varieties I like rather than 100 of one type. Anyway, dinner calls. Happy New Year!

[Banjoman]

Good to see your evaluations of your technique. It gets better.

[Sledgehammer39]

Congrats!! It will get even better. I found the Precisions to shave like the Crystals and they look identical, good blade.

[N2theBreech]

Just when you think you are getting good at it you do something stupid like apply too much pressure, go for too many passes, forget about blade angle, don't build a good lather, get lazy on prep, etc.

Yep, that pretty well sums it up! For me, that's part of the challenge ("Man! I know I can do better. Just wait until tomorrow!"). I think it's a bit like skiing. I did a lot of "face plants", or "other-parts-of-my-anatomy plants" before I reached the point where I could carve an exhilarating run.

[mstrincredible]

I am with you. Keep at it. I find that I am training my face with my hand as well.

[ackvil]

Keep at it and have a Happy New Year.

[KyMash]

I find that my morning shave is the one time of the day where I consciously tell myself to go slow and deliberate. I take the time to really focus on my face prep pre-shave and then focus on my technique. I have begun to realize that a good shave is all about technique and blade angle. Since I have really focused on the blade angle, I have found that I have been getting a more consistent result. I do look forward to the next morning so I can learn form the day or days before. My morning shave is truly a treat.

[mstrincredible]

Check out on Youtube: mantic59 for some great tutorials.

[dpmtherrien]

Mantic has some great video's, so be sure to check him out. Things will get better, so don't worry.