I'm closing in on the end of my 8th week of DE shaving, i thought I'd share some of the lessons I've learned so far. Obviously, YMMV......
1.) For me, there is no difference in performance in high quality shave cream. After practice I'm getting decent lather from everything I've tried. The only difference I can tell between TOBS, e-shave, and Musgo Real is the scent. Lather is more about technique then product.
2.) The key to getting good lather from soap is to take a long time loading the brush. Don't skimp here. I tend to keep the brush on the soap for about 90 seconds. Anything less and the lather sucks because there is not enough soap.
3.) Blades I really like: Red Pack IPs, Yellow Gillette 7 o'clock, Dorco
Other Blades I'd use: Astra, Crystals
Blades I hate: Derby, Bic Chrome Platinum
4.) It is not worth trying to push to get a few extra shaves out of a blade. They are cheap so just put in a new blade before you start having issues.
5.) I like pre-shave oil. I got good, close, comfortable shaves for the first 6 weeks, but since i started using e-shave pre-shave oil, my shaves have been even more comfortable. I don't think pre-shave oil is hype.
6.) Post Shave: Don't over use alum. It can irritate the skin if over used. I only use it for nicks now. I like Trumper's skin food to re-hydrate my face after drying my face. I follow with a splash of alcohol bases AS. I like the idea of disinfecting any microscopic nicks or cuts. For me, AS only makes my face too dry.
1.) For me, there is no difference in performance in high quality shave cream. After practice I'm getting decent lather from everything I've tried. The only difference I can tell between TOBS, e-shave, and Musgo Real is the scent. Lather is more about technique then product.
2.) The key to getting good lather from soap is to take a long time loading the brush. Don't skimp here. I tend to keep the brush on the soap for about 90 seconds. Anything less and the lather sucks because there is not enough soap.
3.) Blades I really like: Red Pack IPs, Yellow Gillette 7 o'clock, Dorco
Other Blades I'd use: Astra, Crystals
Blades I hate: Derby, Bic Chrome Platinum
4.) It is not worth trying to push to get a few extra shaves out of a blade. They are cheap so just put in a new blade before you start having issues.
5.) I like pre-shave oil. I got good, close, comfortable shaves for the first 6 weeks, but since i started using e-shave pre-shave oil, my shaves have been even more comfortable. I don't think pre-shave oil is hype.
6.) Post Shave: Don't over use alum. It can irritate the skin if over used. I only use it for nicks now. I like Trumper's skin food to re-hydrate my face after drying my face. I follow with a splash of alcohol bases AS. I like the idea of disinfecting any microscopic nicks or cuts. For me, AS only makes my face too dry.
