Newbie with sticky water

**bitslinger** · 08-11-2009, 08:42 AM

I've been shaving with a DE (an old Gillette TTO) for not quite a year now, and have been happy with the results up to a week ago. It seems like my tap water has changed, and now my shaving soap doesn't lather as well, doesn't stay foamy as long, and my razor is skipping across my skin and producing quite a bit of irritation.

I'm using Personas, which I change once a week regardless of how many shaves I've used it for. I've used Williams and VDH shaving soap for most of the time, but about a month ago, I ordered several samples from TGQ. I'm using a cheap boar brush from Wal Mart and a bowl, but I'd been getting nice, thick lather that peaks well. I was really happy with the new stuff (Black Cavendish is my preference, although the Desert Ironwood is good, too), but about a week ago, things went to hell. I've tried all the TGQ samples, the VDH I have left, hair conditioner, baby oil, Gillette goo in a can, and have even tried using my old Fusion with brand new cartridges, to no avail.

Is there anything I can do to get back to BBS with no irritation???

**michiganlover** · 08-11-2009, 09:45 AM

If you really think this is a problem with your water, you have little to lose by purchasing a couple of gallons of bottled water from the store, and then doing some experimenting. For a couple dollar investment, you would at least confirm your suspicions.

**MarvinDJ** · 08-11-2009, 11:32 AM

A quick call to your water authority should confirm. They should be able to advise if anything has been added recently. Maybe there has been an issue with parasites or algae and they may have added something to kill em off.

You could try using boiled water which may help in dissipating some chemicals if they have been added.

**bitslinger** · 08-11-2009, 11:46 AM

Just checked with the water facility, they've had a small increase in algae and had a couple days maybe a week ago where there was a slight taste/odor, but other than that, they've not changed the chemicals they're adding or their treatment process. There shouldn't be anything they've done that would be persistent across a whole week.

I'll try using filtered water tomorrow and see how that goes. Gonna be cold, it's coming from my water cooler and I don't have a way to heat it upstairs

**djmike523** · 08-11-2009, 01:27 PM

you dont really need 'that much' water; perhaps a liter heated: on the stovetop / in the microwave / on the hotplate / etc... and transported up stairs

**bitslinger** · 08-12-2009, 05:48 AM

OK, tried with filtered water this morning. It was better, but only slightly. The razor head is still sticking, particularly under my nose and on the neck. It never used to do that before. I did get better lather this morning, and it didn't seem to break down as quickly today, but my face didn't feel as slick as it did a couple weeks ago. And the burn!!!

**Slade xTekno** · 08-12-2009, 04:04 PM

What soap are you using?

**bitslinger** · 08-12-2009, 06:53 PM

I'm using a sample of the Cavendish Black soap from TGQ. I've had the same results with the TGQ Desert Ironwood and Leatherneck shaving cream, as well as with Gillette gel. I shower before shaving, but don't do any other pre-shave prep.

**_JP_** · 08-12-2009, 07:16 PM

Looks like it's time to play with lather. By that I mean to make lather just for the sake of experimenting and throw it away when you are done. If you wait for the next shave for each batch of lather then it'll take days to figure out the problem.

Start an experimental batch and see what you think. Does it feel slick between your fingers? If not, then try adding more soap or cream. If that doesn't do it, then try adding more water. If the batch seems totally out of control then throw it away and start fresh.

**bitslinger** · 08-13-2009, 01:25 PM

Hmm, hadn't been playing with the lather itself much. I got peaks and figured that was sufficient. I'll try and see if that makes any difference.

I did two things this morning that appeared to help reduce the skipping. First, I cleaned the top of the razor and the blade with rubbing alcohol. After that, I used some old Lectric Shave pre-shave stuff I had left over from my electroshave days. Don't know which made the difference, but the razor head wasn't sticking to my face nearly as much as before. Managed a DFS, but still had a fair amount of irritation.

**bitslinger** · 08-14-2009, 05:56 AM

I paid more attention to the lather this morning. That, combined with the Lectric Shave, seems to have helped a bunch. Nearly BBS (a couple places on the neck that I can't quite get right, but otherwise smooth), but still have irritation, particularly on the neck.