My first DE shave...success!

[manskirtbrew]

Big thanks to all the advice, photos and tutorials here. I got what was probably the most comfortable shave I've ever had. No nicks, no weepers. Certainly not baby's butt smooth, but I didn't go against the grain. I did do two passes, since I have a pretty tough beard and a few days' stubble. I figured I'd put a few miles on the razor before getting too crazy with smoothness.

Here's what I looked like at the start. Rougishly handsome with that growth, if I do say so myself.


I assembled my accoutrements. Merkur 34c with the Merkur blade it came with. 22mm fan finest badger from The Golden Nib. Proraso soap.


I washed my face in hot water, made some lather and brushed it in. I let that sit on my face for about 5 minutes while I puttered around. How's my lather look, btw? It sure felt nice :)


Then I washed off, made some new lather and lathered up for real.


I know, I look like a 70's porn star. But it's Moustache March, and facial hair pride is on the line.


So thanks again, and I hope you enjoyed having my first real man's shave with me :)

-Joe

[Sledgehammer39]

Congrats!

[wingdo]

Congrats and welcome to the club!

[MeanGene]

Nice, congrats!

[celestino]

Joe,
Congrats, sir and continued success and enjoyment! Nice moustache!

[H.S.M.Jr.]

Joe;

Your lather looks like good ol' whipped cream. Congrats on your first DE shave. I really like your brush & razor stand. Do you mind me asking where you bought it?

By your smile, your very pleased with your first DE shave, and rightly so.

[VULPES]

Well done.

[Nappyfunk]

NICE,!!
I think I saw that face on the Post Office Wall....
Or was it a Milk carton?
Looking Good Porn Star!

[manskirtbrew]

Thanks everyone, for the congrats and the laughs :)

I really like your brush & razor stand. Do you mind me asking where you bought it?

Thanks! I made it myself. More details in my thread in the Brush forum. Using tools I made myself was even more rewarding.

-Joe

[demaro]

Congrats and great post !!

[Marco]

Very nice indeed! Congrats, Joe!

[manskirtbrew]

Second shave this morning. Did a second ATG pass after the first WTG on my face and XTG on the neck - my neck hair grows W->E and it's most comfortable to do the first shave S-N for some reason.

ATG on the face was fine. Got a small amount of irritation and two weepers going E->W on the neck, but nothing uncomfortable. Certainly feeling a lot smoother!

-Joe

[manskirtbrew]

Shave three. 2nd pass ATG on the neck is still causing razor burn. Probably going to stick with a S-N and N-S pass there. Definitely going to try some different blades in the near future, too. I think I've got 4 different brands to try.

-Joe

[DOLLARBILL]

Welcome! Good Job !
Enjoy Your Shave!

[manskirtbrew]

I am enjoying my shaves, which is something I never would have expected.

This evening I changed out the freebie Merkur blade for an Astra Superior. BIG difference on my neck. No razor burn at all, and a much smoother shave.

I also finished with Truefitt and Hill aftershave lotion. I feel so spoiled :)

-Joe

[Lovefingers]

Congratulations! You look great.

[dgerson]

Great post! I'd definitely tell you to get away from the Merkur blades. The Astras can be good, but I'd recommend trying some others like Personna Med Prep. Welcome to B&B!

[manskirtbrew]

So much for saving money on cartridges :) Two new sharpening stones and a strop later...



-Joe

[Newb2DE]

Cool brush and razor stand I like it ...Welcome to the boards