wetshavingmonkey
01-06-2008, 06:12 PM
Hello fellow wetshavers,
I'm new to the wetshaving scene as well as this forum, and really appreciate all the useful information I have gleaned from the members thus far.
I have been using a Merkur 38C (with Merkur blades) for about two weeks now and am really impressed with how much better a shave I get than from my Gillette Fusion -- may it rest in peace (or is that piece(s)?).
Fortunately, unlike other newbies I have been reading about, my initiation into the world of wetshaving was a very smooth transaction. It seems as if I take to wetshaving like a duck takes to water, as I experienced only minor levels of irritation (neck only -- cleared up within an hour) and had so few nicks that I can count them on one hand. I attribute this to possessing very deft hands and a naturally light touch with whatever I'm doing.
All of my shaves have consisted of a WTG pass followed by an ATG pass and then "spot cleaning" in the places that require it (like chin and neck). I will vary on shaving pre or post shower, but either way I always wash my face with hot water and a good quality natural soap like Grandpa's or Dr. Bronner's followed by a gentle exfoliating scrub (Desert Essence is my current fave). Lather is currently provided by Tom's of Maine shave cream applied with a throw-away cheapie boar brush I bought locally (still awaiting delivery of my Omega 6214).
I don't know if I have anything useful to share at this stage of my wetshaving experience except maybe asking about water quality. It seems that although many memebers are very detail oriented about the wetshave process, none of the forums or reviews I have read mention water quality. To make this quick, if you use municipal water (as most of us do, I'm sure) it will be loaded with contaminents and chlorine. Whereas the contaminents may have little effect in external uses, the chlorine is very drying and damaging to the skin. Since wetshaving requires constant lubrication of the skin, it seems odd to me to use water that contains chlorine to perform this function. I have been using a two-stage whole-house filtration system for my water for about the last three years that eliminates roughly 98-99% of the chlorine, so I bathe and shave in nice healthy aqua pura. Anybody else give this any thought?
Anyhoo, I will get off of my (shaving) soap box and reiterate my hello to all at this site, and look forward to any responses and input about all things wetshaving related.
Peace, and happy shaving
P.S. Apologies for being long-winded, but when I get going...
I'm new to the wetshaving scene as well as this forum, and really appreciate all the useful information I have gleaned from the members thus far.
I have been using a Merkur 38C (with Merkur blades) for about two weeks now and am really impressed with how much better a shave I get than from my Gillette Fusion -- may it rest in peace (or is that piece(s)?).
Fortunately, unlike other newbies I have been reading about, my initiation into the world of wetshaving was a very smooth transaction. It seems as if I take to wetshaving like a duck takes to water, as I experienced only minor levels of irritation (neck only -- cleared up within an hour) and had so few nicks that I can count them on one hand. I attribute this to possessing very deft hands and a naturally light touch with whatever I'm doing.
All of my shaves have consisted of a WTG pass followed by an ATG pass and then "spot cleaning" in the places that require it (like chin and neck). I will vary on shaving pre or post shower, but either way I always wash my face with hot water and a good quality natural soap like Grandpa's or Dr. Bronner's followed by a gentle exfoliating scrub (Desert Essence is my current fave). Lather is currently provided by Tom's of Maine shave cream applied with a throw-away cheapie boar brush I bought locally (still awaiting delivery of my Omega 6214).
I don't know if I have anything useful to share at this stage of my wetshaving experience except maybe asking about water quality. It seems that although many memebers are very detail oriented about the wetshave process, none of the forums or reviews I have read mention water quality. To make this quick, if you use municipal water (as most of us do, I'm sure) it will be loaded with contaminents and chlorine. Whereas the contaminents may have little effect in external uses, the chlorine is very drying and damaging to the skin. Since wetshaving requires constant lubrication of the skin, it seems odd to me to use water that contains chlorine to perform this function. I have been using a two-stage whole-house filtration system for my water for about the last three years that eliminates roughly 98-99% of the chlorine, so I bathe and shave in nice healthy aqua pura. Anybody else give this any thought?
Anyhoo, I will get off of my (shaving) soap box and reiterate my hello to all at this site, and look forward to any responses and input about all things wetshaving related.
Peace, and happy shaving
P.S. Apologies for being long-winded, but when I get going...