Wanna get this right

[beengone]

posted questions about the rash and stink here

[beengone]

Though I maybe should have given it one more day, I went back to my best setup so far. From here out, I'll only note changes worth noting.

Shave
Back to Astra SP, Proraso Pre, TOBS SW, warm rinse, cold rinse, WH, Nivea ASB.

Today I was hoping to do two WTG and see if I could get away with that for the day. Not even close. Decided to do a XTG/ATG. Quite a few places I had to do more XTG than ATG and the blade still pulled some. After this third pass I did a few touch-ups and called it good. Not a single weeper.

Shave Outcome and Time
Ok shave, but wasn't going to push it since I was still irritated a bit from yesterday. Good enough and no blood at all. Didn't time it as my daughter wanted to shave with me (without a blade, obviously). Now, around noon, I'm starting to get a bit scratchy ATG, but am not very irritated. Spot-on for what I wanted today.

Takeaways
- Need to find a sharper blade. As soon as I feel like it, I'll try another 7 O'Clock Yellow. If I find those are the problem, I won't use them again.
- I'll wait on the Palmolive for a while and will bowl or hand lather it first time.
- Next week I need to face lather the TOBS.
- Don't know about the stink from yesterday, but I'll track it down if I get it again.
- If that Palmolive causes problems for me again I'll PIF.
- Some others noted the 7 O'clock yellows irritate them badly too. They seem to be sharper than the Astra SPs, but not as smooth.

Questions
- How many 4-pass shaves do people get out of a bowl of TOBS?

[beengone]

Was visiting family this weekend for Christmas. I took my TOBS, 1-use Astra SP, some Astra and 7 o'clock blades, Conk pure badger brush, Proraso pre/post (more on that later), Nivea ASB, styptic and alum. I left the WH behind. Packing the 7OCs, I noticed they stink bad like machine oil. I assume some of the cutting oil was left on there and only packed one of these blades in case I wanted to give it a go again. I updated the the thread about the stink and rash I had from my shave on day 15. Turns out the stink was the blade - rinsing helped that.

Shaves
Since I had trouble a few shaves ago when I face lathered, I didn't try that again while gone. I did however lather a little longer and harsher than normal, though not nearly as much as I would if I face lathered. This did give me some irritation - I think that was the problem with face lathering last time, though I'll try again soon to be sure. I also did not use any Proraso pre/post and will continue to do without - at least as a pre - as I want to cut down my variables and figure all this stuff out. The Astra continued to cut well enough (normal: pulling a little on XTG and still cannot do ATG in a few places because it just plain stops) and I threw it out as it started to dull on the third shave with it. That means I shaved with the 7 OC one time while there. I rinsed the blade well first and that removed the oil smell. Blade cut well, probably a little sharper than the Astras, though I'll check more another time. But, it did pull a little XTG and, just like every blade I've tried, cannot be used ATG in areas of thick growth (chin, jawline). Just like every other blade, it just plain stops. If I were to tug it anyway, I'd either have to use pressure or it would pull like mad or be jerked out of my hand. Here's hoping Feathers are that much sharper.

Outcome and Time
I'm around 32 minutes per shave with cleanup.
Since I'm trying to narrow down some problems, I wasn't going for that great of shaves. Each ended up better than I expected, though none would be quite DFS. The shave where I did a lot of lathering on my face did irritate it a bit.

Takeaways
- Stink from Day 15 was from machine oil left on the 7OC Yellows. Rinsing it well first got rid of that problem.
- 7 OC Yellows don't seem enough sharper than the Astras to matter, but I'll have to try a couple more of them and then check the Astras again sometime.
- Need to try Feathers next. May do that before I even to another 7OCY.
- Try doing an extra-aggressive lather again, though not as much as face lathering, and see if that irritates my face again. If so, either give up on face lathering or get another, softer brush.
- Giving up Poraso as a pre-shave to cut down on variables. When I choose the best blade, etc. I'll start adding and changing products.
- Need to go back to WTG/WTG/XTG/ATG or WTG/XTG/XTG/ATG and stop trying to do three passes. This may help blades cut ATG.

Questions
- I'll post a new thread asking whether others have trouble going ATG and whether Feathers might do the trick. (this is that post)

[Magnaminous_G]

I agree with your later comment that you're being impatient, and if you continue like this... there is a real risk that you'll get jaded and quit altogether. My comments:

1. Your blade is skipping because your lather is bad/dry. Work on mixing lather, spend a good bit of time on it until it's thick and wet looking, with strong peaks. Although it sounds like you're doing that at this point.
2. You're not helping yourself by switching around blades and creams. The problem isn't the blade/cream. The problem is your technique (probably everything: beard prep, lather building, shaving technique). You need to immediately pick one blade and one cream and stick to it until you can get a close, comfortable, irritation-free shave. Really, stop changing stuff around now. Pick one and don't change again.
3. You're doing multi pass shaves? that's another problem if you've just started. Do 1--at most 2--WTG passes only, at first. Then gradually add an XTG pass. Only when you can get a close DFS shave with WTG and XTG alone should you try adding an ATG pass.
4. You're aiming too low in your expectations. You write things like, "I wasn't expecting a good shave..." What? You should expect a good shave. You should expect an excellent shave that makes you feel good to be alive! that's the only way you're going to improve.

In a nutshell: slow down, pick one, focus on mastering technique in all the critical areas (beard prep, lather building, shaving technique), do fewer passes.

[beengone]

I agree with your later comment that you're being impatient, and if you continue like this... there is a real risk that you'll get jaded and quit altogether. My comments:

1. Your blade is skipping because your lather is bad/dry. Work on mixing lather, spend a good bit of time on it until it's thick and wet looking, with strong peaks. Although it sounds like you're doing that at this point.
2. You're not helping yourself by switching around blades and creams. The problem isn't the blade/cream. The problem is your technique (probably everything: beard prep, lather building, shaving technique). You need to immediately pick one blade and one cream and stick to it until you can get a close, comfortable, irritation-free shave. Really, stop changing stuff around now. Pick one and don't change again.
3. You're doing multi pass shaves? that's another problem if you've just started. Do 1--at most 2--WTG passes only, at first. Then gradually add an XTG pass. Only when you can get a close DFS shave with WTG and XTG alone should you try adding an ATG pass.
4. You're aiming too low in your expectations. You write things like, "I wasn't expecting a good shave..." What? You should expect a good shave. You should expect an excellent shave that makes you feel good to be alive! that's the only way you're going to improve.

In a nutshell: slow down, pick one, focus on mastering technique in all the critical areas (beard prep, lather building, shaving technique), do fewer passes.

- A 20-minute shower including scrubbing my whiskers with soap or shampoo and then conditioning it should suffice, right?
- I've already given up on all but my TOBS for during the shave. No more Proraso pre or anything.
- I'll have to stick with running through the blades as I have, though I may go back to using up the Astras, Personnas and 7OCYs as they seem to cut relatively similarly and that's what I have. More blades aren't happening any time soon unless I have a good reason to buy more.
- I think my lather is good. Maybe I'll take a picture of it next time and post for comments.
- Please define DFS and BBS. how would one tell the difference? I kind of lump everything as 'presentable' into the same catagory: no catches if I run a cotton ball over my face. That doesn't leave much room between SAS and BBS though, so maybe my standards for shave quality are too high?
- I'll do a WTG/XTG/XTG and see how it comes out after the rinses.

[Magnaminous_G]

- A 20-minute shower including scrubbing my whiskers with soap or shampoo and then conditioning it should suffice, right?
- I've already given up on all but my TOBS for during the shave. No more Proraso pre or anything.
- I'll have to stick with running through the blades as I have, though I may go back to using up the Astras, Personnas and 7OCYs as they seem to cut relatively similarly and that's what I have. More blades aren't happening any time soon unless I have a good reason to buy more.
- I think my lather is good. Maybe I'll take a picture of it next time and post for comments.
- Please define DFS and BBS. how would one tell the difference? I kind of lump everything as 'presentable' into the same catagory: no catches if I run a cotton ball over my face. That doesn't leave much room between SAS and BBS though, so maybe my standards for shave quality are too high?
- I'll do a WTG/XTG/XTG and see how it comes out after the rinses.

- For beard prep, yes that sounds good, just make sure to keep wet before and during the shave, too
- TOBS is good (it's all I use). I just started wet shaving myself a few months ago, but I took the wise old folks' advice and stuck to 1 product and got good with it. Please do pick one razor, one blade, one cream and don't change again. You won't regret it because it will let you focus on your technique
- if you want to run through a variety of blades, that's your choice. But again, when you're just starting, you should stick to one. I ignored everyone (98% of people) who told me to get a "blade sampler" when I started. I listened to the 2% who told me to stick to one blade until I got good.
- your lather probably is good now, but if you're razor is still "skipping" on your skin, that's a sign of bad lather
- DFS and BBS are up to you to define, but I think of BBS as a shave so close and smooth that you cannot feel stubble in any direction. DFS is very close and smooth, but maybe with a bit of roughness when you run your fingers across the grain
- yes, I think that's a good idea. don't do ATG again until you are consistently getting irritation-free shaves only using WTG or WTG/XTG

a final comment: shaving technique will help a lot. remember to use no pressure, no pressure, no pressure... a feather light touch just letting the weight of the razor do the work.

[beengone]

the pressure is the one thing I'm certain I'm doing right. One for a bunch isn't bad, right? I do a three-finger hold on the very end of the razor so I can't put pressure on. I tried other grips, but the years of carts/disposables was too hard to shake. The more I think about it, the more I am not certain my angle is correct in a few spots. I know for sure it is in others, so that's probably not a good sign. Tomorrow will give me a good day to try as I'll have about 40 hours of growth similar to a short wire brush. M-boy.

Again, thanks for all the help.

[beengone]

I won't write it all out here, but I had a chance tonight to spend more time shaving and did instead of waiting until tomorrow. I documented this shave at the thread about my problems with ATG. Two posts including pictures and notes.

Here it is.

[beengone]

- For beard prep, yes that sounds good, just make sure to keep wet before and during the shave, too
- TOBS is good (it's all I use). I just started wet shaving myself a few months ago, but I took the wise old folks' advice and stuck to 1 product and got good with it. Please do pick one razor, one blade, one cream and don't change again. You won't regret it because it will let you focus on your technique
- if you want to run through a variety of blades, that's your choice. But again, when you're just starting, you should stick to one. I ignored everyone (98% of people) who told me to get a "blade sampler" when I started. I listened to the 2% who told me to stick to one blade until I got good.
- your lather probably is good now, but if you're razor is still "skipping" on your skin, that's a sign of bad lather
- DFS and BBS are up to you to define, but I think of BBS as a shave so close and smooth that you cannot feel stubble in any direction. DFS is very close and smooth, but maybe with a bit of roughness when you run your fingers across the grain
- yes, I think that's a good idea. don't do ATG again until you are consistently getting irritation-free shaves only using WTG or WTG/XTG

a final comment: shaving technique will help a lot. remember to use no pressure, no pressure, no pressure... a feather light touch just letting the weight of the razor do the work.

I really appreciate your advice here. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd have only bought the Astra SPs and probably 15 of them. That would give me a good number of shaves with what seems to be a mostly-well-regarded blade. I'm finding the Personnas, Astras, and 7 Yellows to be similar enough to have 15 of them total.

As for lather, I'm pretty convinced it's right and am still skipping a bit even on XTG even when blade angle is correct. Maybe I just have whiskers that are thicker than most. I know the people who cut my hair always talk about it and about half of them pull hair due to clippers or scissors binding. The bright side is I have a FANTASTIC scratching post for my hands and arms.

Again, I think I'd advise someone starting out to get 15-20 Astras and to order a sampler once they are getting consistently good-great shaves. I agree changing every 6-9 shaves is a lot when learning technique.

[Magnaminous_G]

I can practically guarantee you that bad lather is at the heart of a blade skipping problem. Thick whiskers are not the problem, I promise you. The blade "skips" for the same reason your finger "skips" when you try to run it along a squeaky-clean plastic surface--> there's not enough lubrication for it to "glide."

I suspect you're either using too much water or not enough cream. For your next shave, try putting a good, almond sized dollop of cream in the bowl (not too large, but about the size of a shelled almond). Soak that brush, and then shake it out twice. There should be no water dripping from it. Mix your lather vigourously. If it lather begins to sud up immediately, stop! It means that you've still got too much water in the brush.

Now then, when you start mixing vigourously, it should do almost nothing for a few seconds and then gradually start to loft before "exploding" in 30-60 seconds. It is ready when it is thick (and be careful of your definition of "thick," i.e. it should be "yoghurty" thick, not "foamy" thick), slick looking, and able to form peaks that support themselves (think of stiff meringue on a lemon meringue pie).

It should be good for at least three passes, able to completely coat your face with no skin or beard showing under the white lather. It should look and feel "slick," wet, and thick. It should not look or act like Gillette aerosol gel lather.

If your lather is mixed correctly, I can practically guarantee you that your blade will not skip.

EDIT: If the lather starts to dry out on your face mid-shave or on the edge of the shaving bowl, that means it's too dry. You can add water by gently dipping the very tip (and only the very tip) of your brush in the water, then mix again. Repeat if necessary.

[beengone]

I can practically guarantee you that bad lather is at the heart of a blade skipping problem. . .
I suspect you're either using too much water or not enough cream. For your next shave, try putting a good, almond sized dollop of cream in the bowl (not too large, but about the size of a shelled almond). . . Mix your lather vigourously. . . Now then, when you start mixing vigourously, it should do almost nothing for a few seconds and then gradually start to loft before "exploding" in 30-60 seconds.

This sounds right. I posted a picture in the other thread, but here it is again for comment.


Also, the blade doesn't skip much if at all WTG, only XTG (slight) and gets stuck ATG. It also pulls when it skips and stops.
I'm confused by the idea of thick like yogurt. After all, yogurt won't peak, etc. This isn't light an airy, but certainly not as dense and runny as yogurt (thinking of the fruit on the bottom stuff or the Danon vanilla).

Next shave I'm starting with the trouble areas and making extra sure I'm not doing anything wrong with blade angle.
So, how does that lather look?

[Magnaminous_G]

Ah... I think you're not talking about "skipping." Skipping is what happens when the blade bounces off of a smooth, dry surface due to friction. I think your lather looks fine. You are talking about "catching:" that's when a not-sharp-enough blade runs up against not-short-enough hairs. And there are a few candidates for culprit here. One is that I suspect you are not getting close enough with your first passes. Second is that you are using the wrong angle.

For your next shave, try getting as close and smooth a shave as possible with your WTG pass. Really learn your own beard and face, see what areas require a different angle, etc. You want to get as close as possible *without* going over the same area over-and-over again, though. The goal is to go over your whole face one time, quickly and with no pressure, letting the weight of the razor and the angle of the blade do all the work. That takes practice.

The same applies to your next pass, whether WTG or XTG. If you’re razor is “catching” on ATG, it means your razor is not sharp enough and/or your beard is not short enough. Your angle might be too aggressive, too. You want a nice, very shallow angle and an uber-light touch on ATG. And the beard needs to already be as short as possible after a few good WTG/XTG passes.

[beengone]

Though I shaved last night, I did so again today. It's only been about 11 hours, but I have plans tonight and wanted to be presentable. Since last night's shave wasn't close at all, I gave it a run.

The Shave
Though I'm trying to limit variables, I decided to switch some things up just a tad today. I showered and washed my face as normal. I applied conditioner to it and let it sit on there for a good few minutes. When I left the shower, I realized I forgot to soak my brush. I soaked my brush and applied a little TOBS directly to my face with my hands, massaging it in with some water. I let that set on there while my brush soaked and I built my lather, being sure not to let it dry out. I then proceeded with the shave.

Lathered, WTG (did little good), really focusing on angle, pressure and stretching my skin. I then went to an XTG, again paying close attention to those items. Everything was still pretty rough, so I went with ATG, again paying close attention and being sure to get into my difficult spots. The blade did catch (thanks for clarifying catching vs. skipping, magnanimous) in the normal areas and I went to an oblique ATG which cut well. Sadly, this pass - though it cut the whole time - was not all that close in many areas. So I did another ATG realizing I'd likely have some razor burn if I wasn't careful. I finished that up and blade buffed. I did real blade buffing to great result even in a couple of the areas that catch. I did have to do oblique-ATG blade buffing in one or two areas.

Though I had been stretching my skin a lot since the beginning, I found I have to rinse and dry part of my cheek to really pull it up for the jawline. I have to do the same on the sides of my neck to get around the Adam's Apple. So, I shave the outer edges, rinse, and dry each side then go for the middle. This lets me pull the skin where I need it to get the whiskers.

Had some blood before the final ATG, but it stopped well before the cold rinse. My final ATG was a borderline idea from the beginning, but I decided to see whether I could do 2xATG without losing my face. The alum burned something fierce on about half my skin and rubbing my ASB opened up 3 weepers and a weeper/nick. Styptic cleared those right up.

Outcome
I'm at BBS on about 80% of my face with the rest DFS. (I know some don't encourage shooting for BBS, but for me it's the difference of a poor looking shave at noon vs at about 3:00 or so. I have a 5OC shadow at the time of my shave.) My neck hair isn't catching on my collar for the first time since switching to a DE and maybe ever. I am a little razor burned on the areas I knew better than to really work on, but it's not bad enough to worry about and will only get better, especially if I don't shave 11 hours apart. Cold rinse, WH and ASB helped that a lot, especially the cold water and WH

Takeaways
- For shaving twice in such a short time, this is really good results.
- I can get BBS if I stick to oblique-ATG and some blade buffing.
- For only being on shave 21, I'm pretty happy with where I am not just in shave quality or knowing what to do, but especially knowing why and how. That's thanks to B&B
- I finally have a way to pull the skin for my AA and jawline. (see above)
- Way more of this shaving stuff is YMMV.
- I wish I would have started with Astra SPs and used those exclusively until about now, maybe even to 30 shaves or so.
- I think I will try a feather next to see if it can do a true ATG pass.

Questions
- Does anyone store their WH and/or ASB in the fridge? I would LOVE to splash cold WH and finish with cold ASB if these can be refridgerated without problems. I don't even care if I look like a tool walking from bathroom to kitchen and back in a towel with shaving products.

[conroygc]

Refrigerating those products shouldn't be an issue. Good idea, a nice cold aftershave splash does sound nice. For a while I put my pre-shave oil in a glass jar on a candle warmer while I was in the shower. It's the little things, right?

[Useless shaver]

Welcome to Badger & Blade. You're going to get a lot of good advice here...some of it's going to be YMMV (Your mileage may vary), but for the most part, we'll try to steer you in the right direction.

DE razors are going to be the easiest way to get started. I'd definitely stay away from the electrics or carts (that's what drove me here in the first place!), and straights can come later once you get your daily routine perfected.

An excellent starter razor is the Edwin Jagger DE89 series...a high-quality tool, reasonably priced, and an excellent performer. If you want to go with vintage razors, Gillette Super Speeds or Techs are great beginner razors and inexpensive. An essential ingredient in your kit is a blade sampler pack. There are many different DE blades manufactured, and it might take a few tries to find the one that works best with your face, your razor, and your technique. Several of our esteemed B&B vendors offer blade samplers at reasonable prices.

Right, IMHO.

[Magnaminous_G]

2XATG????? After all the advice you've received?

"The alum burned something fierce"
"Had some blood before the final ATG"

"this is really good results"

... ??

[beengone]

2XATG????? After all the advice you've received?

"The alum burned something fierce"
"Had some blood before the final ATG"

"this is really good results"

... ??

2XATG????? After all the advice you've received?

"The alum burned something fierce"
"Had some blood before the final ATG"

"this is really good results"

... ??

Thanks for toning your original down a bit. I'm getting mixed advice and am trying to sort out what makes sense for me at this time with my face.

You're right, I am conflating a few things here; let me clarify a bit. The little blood I had was where I knew I sort of lost my focus. My problem isn't understanding, it's attention span. I'm not concerned about a small weeper or even a handful since they're coming through in really tough areas - always around my Adam's apple and sensitive part of my neck. They will end when my attention extends and I slow down. Cutting short my shave won't get me there. The alum did burn too much, but it was because today I made a conscious decision to get a better smoothness for more irritation. I won't often do that, but I had plans tonight for which I wanted a close shave. I'm convinced I won't get a close enough (by my metric) shave with just XTG - there's a reason why many who've shaved for years have to do ATG and blade buff, etc.

As for results, all burning and glowing was resolved within 3-4 hours - not what I'll settle for long-term, but for a 21st shave and doing extra ATG, I'm not displeased. This may sound odd, but today was the first day I remember where I could turn my head and my neck didn't catch all over my collar. I avoid wearing anything tight around my neck if it isn't a dress shirt because my hair makes it pill and pull. Today that changed. I won't settle for the burning long-term, but it shows me I can get that close a shave in time and that over 20 shaves, I'm improving steadily, even rapidly.

Maybe I'll look back in another month or so and realize I was being stubborn or stupid, but I really think I have this going in the right direction. Tomorrow I'll settle for pulling on my collar. I'm still on the fence at to whether or not I'll try a Feather tomorrow. I don't dare push my blade to a fourth shave yet, so I have to do something. I know it's well against your advice, but many others with a DE89 and very thick/coarse growth claim it's bliss with the Feather. Worst that happens is I wish I didn't, I let my face set for a day or so and go back to a blade I know. I may revisit the Derbies since those are the only ones I have lots of. I think i'm up to 14 of them now, so I'd know what to expect for a good long time. But, I left them because they tugged and caught even on WTG.

You didn't mention what kind of growth you have or how are faces may be similar or dissimilar. Did you look at the pictures I put up of mine for comparison? I'm finding that the YMMV thing is true, but often certain traits do carry over to similar faces and growth. Also, how long have you been at it?

[Magnaminous_G]

I poured my heart and soul into the posts I've left in your thread here, spending more free time than I've got, frankly, because I want to help. You don't have to take my advice. Hell, try 3 ATG passes next time, and use a different razor and cream while you're at it. It's all up to you, brother.

[GDCarrington]

Welcome aboard the good ship B&B. Take a stroll on the promenade deck and enjoy the voyage.

Always remember, relax but be vigilant when you shave!

[beengone]

2 days worth of growth and a new 7OCY. Been thinking a lot about the advice here and in the Rash and Stink thread. Decided after long deliberation not to switch to a Feather just yet. I have four left, so I'll probably use 3 of them to save one for comparison once I'm fully set on technique and know what to expect.

Shave
Prepped like last time, except that I scrubbed my face a little more in the shower with a soapy washcloth in hopes of lifting the hair a bit more. Don't know that it mattered, but I don't think it could really hurt any. I conditioned it well and let the conditioner set a few minutes. Brush soaking all the while. With face wet at the sink I applied a little TOBS by hand letting it set while I made lather. I lightly rinsed it and splashed more water then lathered. WTG/XTG/XTG with some areas of touch-ups including some blade buffing. I missed two of my difficult spots on my WTG (about 1"x1/2") and caught those with some cream and the razor before I went to the XTGs. The big change this time was I grabbed a washcloth to pull my skin. I'll break this down just a bit.

I took a pass on the upper area of my cheek where it's easy to get a good shave and never irritates ATG. This gave me a nice big area to use the washcloth on one finger and stretch the skin up over the jaw line so I could shave what is usually on and just under my jawline as though it were my lower check. Worked like a charm. I did the same on my neck starting by shaving WTG on the outer edges of my neck and pulling the skin outward to move it away from my Adam's Apple area. This worked to a far lesser degree, but still worked rather well. I also stretched the skin out-and-up from just beside my mouth to really pull taught the chin area.

I ended up with about 4 bleeders from the first XTG, one larger than normal. These occurred when I re-shaved two areas without re-lathering. Just plain lost focus. I didn't notice any additional on my second XTG. My second XTG I did a little ATG in areas where it was already cut well and the XTG wasn't catching anything. These are the areas like the cheeks where I never have any cuts, irritation, etc. I still can't get a couple parts of my face shaved well - around the AA and at the very bottom-outside of my neck where the skin becomes red if I even touch it. This area never burns or anything though - oh well. I did not worry about closeness today as I really had no need for a great shave and wanted just to work on perfecting technique.

Warm rinse, cold rinse, skipped the alum today, WH from the fridge (good idea and does feel nicer, but warms rather quickly in the hand, so has to be splashed quickly - might try on cotton ball next time), Nivea ASB from the fridge - this was great. ASB opened up one noticable slight bleeder, the one noted earlier, as well as two others almost unnoticeable.

Outcome and Time
Didn't time exactly and my kids were running in-and-out. Was probably around 32-35 minutes.
It's a DFS in all but a few areas - around the base of my neck, around the AA and on two other tiny spots I must have missed as I went. Certainly no BBS, but mostly DFS. Happy enough with the results and am making good progress.

Takeaways
- Not sure these 7OCYs are that great for me. They don't seem to catch any more than the Astras and maybe a tiny bit less, but I feel like they cut me more even with my technique improving.
- Glad I didn't go for BBS today and did finally get a DFS (mostly) from 2x XTG due to stretching with a washcloth.
- Need to figure out a better stretch method for my AA area. I'll pull different angels, etc.
- Still getting lots of redness at bottom-sides of neck, especially on left side. Hoping that goes away as I improve.

Questions
none for now - solid step forward in progress today.