Raithskar's shave Journal

**otto76** · 06-08-2012, 10:16 AM

I was taking a long time to get through a straight razor shave at first, didn't seem to matter how I prepared the lather because it was going to dry up by the time I got to the right side of my face. I could re-wet it a little but that would make it runny.
I just quit lathering my whole face and started lathering 1/2 at a time. Problem solved! It wasn't long before this wasn't an issue but it sure helped while it was.

**Raithskar** · 06-11-2012, 07:18 AM

Well I had 2 shaves over the weekend.

1st.)

I was meeting my Dad and his new Bride for Lunch. It was my Birthday and they wanted to see me.

I selected my 13/16 Swedish Razor nicknamed "The Swede". Soap was Mystic Water Coconut, stuff smells good enough to eat. I had trouble with this one. Lather ended up being too thin from excess water. Has a weeper or two that let me know yesterday. small patch on the left side by my mouth. Other than that no uncomfortable irritation. did a 3 pass since I had time. Smooth results near BBS.

2nd.)

This morning was better. Still trying to figure out the right ratio to get a good consistent lather with the MW soaps. Used the Coconut again this morning in combination with my 13/16 Puma 52 and my Semogue 2000 (still breaking it in).

Firts Pass I was able to make nice smooth continious strokes. Lather dried just a tad, so I am getting close. Second pass was ATG. Lather wasa little thin so i went back to the soap and added a bit more. Results are a DFS. That Puma is an Amazing Razor.

Until Next time!

Jon

**Raithskar** · 06-18-2012, 07:40 AM

5 days growth this morning.

13/16 Carl Schlieper was used. first pass was a PITA! ATG pass was smooth as butter. I am blaming poor prep on the shoddy performance on first pass.

Still a DFS and very slight sting in a cople of places from AS. Skin feels great overall.

**Raithskar** · 06-21-2012, 05:54 AM

Here Latley the shaves have been OK. For some reason I am just not into it right now. I still look forward to it, but for some reason everything just seems kinda off. Probably just me since I am "off" meantally most every day.

Puma No. 63 INOX this morning. Such an engaging edge on this razor. I reall love the feel of these old INOX blades. Today was the first time in several shaves that I have gone ATG, worked out well all told.

Mystic Water Lilly of the Valley was a welcome scent this morning. 2 pass WTG ATG and a DFS.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 06-22-2012, 09:26 AM

Well this mornings shave was not very good. Well the shave went well, but I was testing a freshly honed blade, and it was not there. Me being the stubborn ass that I am, I did the whole shave with it. As a result my face is uncomfortable, and I will not be shaving till Monday moring.

I actually thought about skipping the shave this morning. Now I wish I would have.

**Raithskar** · 06-28-2012, 08:44 AM

Pretty nice shave this morning. I used my new 6/8 Ern, which I think is closer to 13/16. I honed it up last night on my new coticule bout from TSS.

Lathered "The Fat" this morning and did a 2 pass WTG and ATG. Not bad. The razor still needs a little work to get it to the right keeness, but for a first attempt on a brand new rock I am very satisfied.

Results were a DFS, and no discomfort during whisker removal.

Finished with some Alt Innsbruck and Proraso Pre/post cream. Simply Lovely!

**Raithskar** · 07-02-2012, 06:13 AM

Extra prep this morning since I had not shaved since last thursday.

13/16 Henckels Friodur
Mysic Water Lily of the valley
Proraso pre/post
Scrupleworks 40/50
Thayers Lavender
Alt Innsbruck

I had some serious fuzz to trim off this morning. First few strokes I realized that my lather was too dry. Added some more water and off we go. Slicing strokes worked wonders for the first pass, smooth and effortless. Second ATG pass was sublime. DFS and I am most pleased. Absolutly no sting from the AS just a nice tingle that quickly dissapated.

Just a wonderfull, and lovely shave.

**Tkocloser** · 07-02-2012, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by Raithskar

Extra prep this morning since I had not shaved since last thursday.

13/16 Henckels Friodur
Mysic Water Lily of the valley
Proraso pre/post
Scrupleworks 40/50
Thayers Lavender
Alt Innsbruck

I had some serious fuzz to trim off this morning. First few strokes I realized that my lather was too dry. Added some more water and off we go. Slicing strokes worked wonders for the first pass, smooth and effortless. Second ATG pass was sublime. DFS and I am most pleased. Absolutly no sting from the AS just a nice tingle that quickly dissapated.

Just a wonderfull, and lovely shave.

Way to go Jon! That is what we all aspire to. Have a terrific week

**Raithskar** · 07-02-2012, 07:49 AM

Thanks Tom! I think I am finally getting my method dialed in.

**Raithskar** · 07-03-2012, 09:37 AM

Another great shave this morning.

Mystic Water Coconut
B&B LE 2 band
H. Boker Red Injun No 101
Scrupleworks 40/50
Thayers Lavender
Floid Blue

Another great shave this morning. The Boker was fresh off my new bout. 2 pass WTG Atg DFS, and It was just great! Might have a little irritation, lather was a tad dry by the time I got to the neck, but all in all I am not complaining. It all comes with time.

Have a great day!

**Raithskar** · 07-09-2012, 10:33 AM

had about 3 days stubble this morning, so it was pretty thick.

I rehoned the ERN this weekend, and was anxious to try the edge.

13/16 C.F. Ern
DRH Lavender
28mm TGN 2 band
Finished with Thayers Lavender, floid Blue and some proraso cream.

The shave was just sublime. The ERN had no trouble plowing off my beard. Ending results are near BBS, and no sting at all. A great refreshing start to a new week at my New Job!

**EvilZeg** · 07-09-2012, 05:17 PM

Good luck with the new job.

Jim

**Tkocloser** · 07-09-2012, 08:29 PM

Congratulations on the new job and sounds like a terrific shave!

**Raithskar** · 07-10-2012, 05:02 AM

Thanks for the kind words gents. Unfortunatley I have some irritation this morning. I attrubute it more to trying to be fancy and something new in technique. I just need to adhere to the KISS method. KISS=keep it simple stupid. I get much better results that way.

This morning I did a couple of WTG passes.

9/16 Erik Anton Berg
Thater SRP 2011 2 band fan new to me (thanks Rene!)
"The Fat"
Finished with thayers, Alt Innsbruck and proraso cream.

A DFS. The Anton Berg is an amazing razor, took a sick edge and had no trouble handling the beard. The Thater brush is the best brush I have ever used period! it is the softest two band I have ever put to my face, and the flow through is incredible.

On a more somber note: Those of you who are the praying sort, will you please include my Grandmother and Dad in your prayers. Grandmother had a stroke, and Dad is just having a tough time with everything right now.

Thanks guys!

Jon

**Gissy** · 07-10-2012, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Raithskar

Thanks for the kind words gents. Unfortunatley I have some irritation this morning. I attrubute it more to trying to be fancy and something new in technique. I just need to adhere to the KISS method. KISS=keep it simple stupid. I get much better results that way.

This morning I did a couple of WTG passes.

9/16 Erik Anton Berg
Thater SRP 2011 2 band fan new to me (thanks Rene!)
"The Fat"
Finished with thayers, Alt Innsbruck and proraso cream.

A DFS. The Anton Berg is an amazing razor, took a sick edge and had no trouble handling the beard. The Thater brush is the best brush I have ever used period! it is the softest two band I have ever put to my face, and the flow through is incredible.

On a more somber note: Those of you who are the praying sort, will you please include my Grandmother and Dad in your prayers. Grandmother had a stroke, and Dad is just having a tough time with everything right now.

Thanks guys!

Jon

Would just like to say I enjoy reading your journal and that I will have your grandmother and dad in my thoughts. I lost both my parents to stroke so I can really feel your pain.

**Raithskar** · 07-10-2012, 10:41 AM

Thank You Gissy. That means a lot!

**otto76** · 07-10-2012, 11:08 AM

Jon, sounds rough. I am sorry to hear it. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

**Raithskar** · 07-10-2012, 03:45 PM

thanks Otto

**Tkocloser** · 07-11-2012, 06:48 AM

Jon, I hope your family is okay. I will include y'all in my prayers

**Raithskar** · 07-16-2012, 10:55 AM

Wll I think I will have a little complaint session with this report.

I have asked myself this question often.....Is a coticule edge enough for my beard? Last night I honed one of my blades, and when I was done on the hone I was tree topping hairs on my arm with ease. I strop it and it passes the HHT with flying colors. I decide to shave with it this morning. I was looking forward to it. Everything was spot on with my lather, prep etc. I even used a hot water towel this morning.

The razor cut fine. I did not notice any pulling or discomfort. The thing that got me was that I really have to work to get a clean shave. There were some small areas that I had missed, so I go back to them, and it was like the razor was not even cutting them, just passing over them.

Needless to say I was very dissapointed in the preformance of an apparent shave ready razor. I am really starting to question the coticule only edge. I have been at this for a year. My shaving technique is solid, and I am confident in my honing abilities. I am really at a loss here.