I mainly doing this to track my own experience, but I figured I would post it to the board. It may help other Newbie's, and it may provide a means for our more experienced shavers to offer their thoughts and advice. *note to mods: if this should be in another section, feel free to move it!
I have always loved my morning shaves. After years of using cartridges, I have decided to plunge into using a DE razor. All in all, I am very pleased. It takes a little longer, but my face feels very good. Add to that the fact I am not spending $20 for blades, and the switch has been a good one (so far). Of course, the initial outlay has been expensive, but not too bad.
So here is goes! I'm going to be descriptive. It'll help me as I review this over time, and I know you guys like the details
First let me talk about my tools:
Here's my regimen:
I have been going at it for about a week. I watched Mantic59's videos and another "How to Shave" video by an English gentleman on You Tube. I'm still working through my technique.
I had been using the Merkur blade which came with my razor, but I switched to the Persona this morning. I bought a sample pack of blades, but will go through each package before moving to the next brand.
The DR Harris cream is great. A small dab gives me a good lather, and is good for three passes. The Arlington scent has a citrus scent which the women in my house (wife & two daughters) like. The aftershave milk stings a bit, but I like the way my face feels after-wards.
This morning's shave was the best yet. I didn't shave yesterday in order to give my face a break (and I just didn't have time ).The Persona blade felt really good. I'm not sure if that is a result of it being a better blade for me vs. the Merkur, or if I am just getting more comfortable with my technique. Time will tell. I still got a few nicks, but I think these will go down as I get used to my technique. The nicks were mainly on my neck due to the mix of growth and on my chin. I think I went over the same area too many times on my chin - I have to watch that. It was my first day using the alum block. It really stung, but if it helps take care of those nicks so be it.
Feel free to comment or just read. As I said, I am doing this largely to track my progress, but if it helps a Newbie, or if others would like to offer tips, then great!
I have always loved my morning shaves. After years of using cartridges, I have decided to plunge into using a DE razor. All in all, I am very pleased. It takes a little longer, but my face feels very good. Add to that the fact I am not spending $20 for blades, and the switch has been a good one (so far). Of course, the initial outlay has been expensive, but not too bad.
So here is goes! I'm going to be descriptive. It'll help me as I review this over time, and I know you guys like the details
First let me talk about my tools:
- Merkur DE razor
- Blade sample pack - currently using a Persona Platinum blade
- DR Harris's "Arlington" shave cream and aftershave milk
- small boar brush (it was in another sample pack I bought. I'll need to get a larger one soon)
- Pacific Shave pre-shave oil
- Alum block
Here's my regimen:
- Hot shower
- Fill basin with hot water while brush soaks in my shaving cup filled with hot water
- Small dab of cream on the brush and lather up in cup
- Massage pre-shave oil into face
- Apply lather - I don't use circular strokes. I apply it "paintbrush style"
- 1st pass is WTG working from the neck up. I've got some crazy hair growth patterns on my neck, so sometimes I have to shave up to stay WTG
- 2nd pass is XTG - again, being really careful about the growth patterns
- 3rd pass is touch up
- Use water in basin to rinse off excess cream
- Rinse off with cold water
- rub alum block onto face to take care of nicks - MAN THAT STINGS
- Pad dry a bit and apply aftershave
I have been going at it for about a week. I watched Mantic59's videos and another "How to Shave" video by an English gentleman on You Tube. I'm still working through my technique.
I had been using the Merkur blade which came with my razor, but I switched to the Persona this morning. I bought a sample pack of blades, but will go through each package before moving to the next brand.
The DR Harris cream is great. A small dab gives me a good lather, and is good for three passes. The Arlington scent has a citrus scent which the women in my house (wife & two daughters) like. The aftershave milk stings a bit, but I like the way my face feels after-wards.
This morning's shave was the best yet. I didn't shave yesterday in order to give my face a break (and I just didn't have time ).The Persona blade felt really good. I'm not sure if that is a result of it being a better blade for me vs. the Merkur, or if I am just getting more comfortable with my technique. Time will tell. I still got a few nicks, but I think these will go down as I get used to my technique. The nicks were mainly on my neck due to the mix of growth and on my chin. I think I went over the same area too many times on my chin - I have to watch that. It was my first day using the alum block. It really stung, but if it helps take care of those nicks so be it.
Feel free to comment or just read. As I said, I am doing this largely to track my progress, but if it helps a Newbie, or if others would like to offer tips, then great!
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