Razumny's Shave Journal

Hello gents!

I've been experimenting a bit with shaving over the last two weeks, and thought it would be good to keep a journal, to see what works for me, and what doesn't.

This initial post will be updated to contain links to all of my entries. Feel free to comment on what I write, and suggest changes.

Shave #1 Merkur 34C HD and Proraso cream (green tube)
Shave #2 Gillette slim and Proraso Eucalyptus Soap
Shave #3 Gillette slim and Proraso Eucalyptus Soap

Shave #1

Razor: Merkur 34C HD
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: My inherited stubby, unknown brand, badger hair
Soap: Proraso Green Cream
Bowl: Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: A very little Proraso Green Cream in the bottom of the bowl. Once it started coming together, I added a few drops of water at a time, working them in, until I was happy with the consistency of the lather.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: ATG
Third Pass: XTG, from ear towards nose
Fourth Pass: XTG, from nose towards ear

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. Lathered once more following the last pass.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Notes: The 34C is a fairly soft shave, but results are very good. Very happy with the lather. No nicks or cuts.

Shave #2

Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable (G4)
Setting: 6
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: My inherited stubby, unknown brand, badger hair, Mühle Pure Badger
Soap: Proraso Eucalyptus Shaving Soap
Lather: Facelather, Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: Started off with the stubby brush, but was unable to get the wuality of lather I wanted, so I switched to the Mühle Pure Badger. Lathered directly on face for the first two passes, using the bowl for the third.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: ATG
Third Pass: XTG, from ear towards nose

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. Lathered once more following the last pass.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: DFS, a few nicks. No need for styptic, the aftershave regimen took care of it. Happy with quality of lather once I switched to the Mühle brush.

Note on using the soap: This was my first time using something other than cream. Will need further work, but re-wetting and re-priming the brush between latherings yielded good quality lather.

Razumny--
I will watch with continued interest as you continue to write new posts in your shaving journal. You seem very analytical in your approach. They always say that it's best to change only ONE thing at a time. Maybe try doing the same thing for several days in a row, so you can get an "average" of the experience with the various combinations of things, i.e. stick with one razor and use it for 4-5 shaves until you have to change blades, then begin with a different razor for 4-5 shaves. Then after you've gone through all your razors, switch the blade and go through the rotation, or switch the shave cream and go through the rotation, or.... You get the idea.

BTW: you look very much like my nephew, who, incidentally, claims he looks like a rather large leprechaun. We can't always take ourselves too seriously, I guess.

Vee, absolutely agree about changes. I have been switching between the Slum and the Merkur, and gave a good baseline on both using the cream. I wouldn't have played with the soap otherwise.

I am trying to analyse what I do, to get better, more consistent results.

Hi!

I just started on this whole thing myself. it's good to be able to follow another person going through the same steps and mishaps, haha.

Good luck, and look forward to hearing more!

This ought to be very interesting.

I luv my Slim ('63) and Fat Boy ('61), though it may seem quite contradictory. I think the Slim works slightly better though. Maybe that's why James Bond/007 used one!

Shave #3

Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable (G4)
Setting: 6
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: Mühle Pure Badger
Soap: Proraso Eucalyptus Shaving Soap
Lather: Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: Primed the brush thoroughly, then lathered in the bowl, got quality lather off the bat.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. Lathered once more following the last pass.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: An OK shave, with several nicks needing styptic, and a little razor burn. My theory is that this was all caused by my shaving on a second consecutive day, which I do not usually do. Lather was very good, and the blade was fresh on the previous shave. Will let skin heal and rest before resuming shaving.

Shave #4

Razor: Merkur 34C HD
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: Mühle Pure Badger
Soap: Proraso Eucalyptus Shaving Soap
Lather: Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: Primed the brush thoroughly, then lathered in the bowl, got quality lather off the bat.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG -Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. Lathered once more following the last pass.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: Not quite BBS, but DFS nonetheless. I suspect that attaining BBS will be difficult at best with the Merkur, as it is not aggressive enough.

Lesson learned: While BBS is a stretch with the Merkur, it consistently gives me a good, gentle shave, and should be my go-to when trying out changes in my routine, e.g. new brush, blade or soap.

Shave #5

Razor: Merkur 34C HD
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: Mühle Pure Badger
Soap: Mühle Sandalwood Shaving Soap
Lather: Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: Primed the brush thoroughly, then lathered in the bowl, got quality lather after a bit of elbow grease.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG -Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. Following the second pass, I was starting to feel some soreness, exacerbating with the third and fourth pass. After the last pass, I washed off my face, and inspected it, seeing my first case of razor burn since I started with DE's. I whipped up a quick batch of Proraso Cream (Green tube), which helped cool the skin off while I cleaned my shaving kit.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: An OK shave with a considerable amount of razor burn, even following the Proraso lather and cream.

Lesson learned: I don't know whether it's the sandalwood that my skin doesn't like, or if it's the lack of eucalyptus. For now, the Mühle soap will be left well enough alone, though I may try it again at some point. I do suspect that it is the object of a future PIF.

Shave #6

Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: Stubby
Soap: Proraso Shaving Cream, Green tube
Lather: Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: Squeezed a little cream into the bowl, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG -Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: DFS, some weepers.

Lesson learned: The Tech is as gentle a razor as I have been led to believe. I am already very happy with my acquisition, and am sure it will serve me well for years to come.

Shave #7

Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: Stubby
Soap: Proraso Shaving Cream, Green tube
Lather: Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: Squeezed a little cream into the bowl, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG -Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: DFS

Lesson learned: The Tech remains a very good razor, and will most likely become my standard razor for travel.

Shave #8

Razor: Merkur 34C HD
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: Stubby
Soap: Proraso Shaving Cream, Green tube
Lather: Mühle black porcelain
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

Washed my face quickly in cold water, then made lather.

Lather: Squeezed a little cream into the bowl, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Filled the washbasin with cold water, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG -Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, washing it out, as well as cleaning the bowl, brush and razor. I then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm and styptic.

Result: OK shave

Lesson learned: While the cold water shave may be for some people, it does not seem to be for me. I noticed a lot of pulling and tugging, and I had several weepers which needed attending to. The shave was cartridge-level, meaning I would get that good a shave from a cartridge razor, but I get far superior results using hot water.

Shave #9

Razor: Merkur 34C HD
Blade: Derby Extra
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: L'Occitane Cade Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"


Had a long shower, made sure to wash my face thoroughly, while steeping the brush and bowl in hot water. Dried off, then made lather.

Lather: Primed the brush thoroughly, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG -Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: DFS

Lesson learned: My first shave with the Wee Scot was an amazing experience. Assuming that the Wee Scot is representative for Simpson's work, and by all accounts it is, I will acquire several of their brushes in the years to come.

Was this your first go with the Wee Scot?

beginish said:

Was this your first go with the Wee Scot?

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd picked it up from the post office a couple of hours before the shave. Utterly lovely little brush.

well documented

razumny said:

Yeah, I'd picked it up from the post office a couple of hours before the shave. Utterly lovely little brush.

Click to expand...

After you've used it some more, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on how it compares to more conventional brushes.

Shave #10

Razor: Merkur 34C HD
Blade: Astra Superior
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: L'Occitane Cade Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

I rinsed off my face thoroughly, with hot water.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Washed face in hot water, and filled the washbasin, steeping the razor. Brushed lather onto my face.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG -Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: BBS, the very best and closest shave I have experienced to date.

Lesson learned: The Wee Scot continues to impress. It feels better in my hand now than the last time around, when I did find it a little on the small side. I find it excellent to lather with, and it is becoming softer even with just the little bit of wear it has had. The funk is almost gone, although, truth to be told, it never bothered me all that much. The Astra Superiors really are very good blades indeed, and this first experience was at the very least very satisfactory.