Posting my learnings...

[sylynce]

Only 2 shaves in, but what an incredible difference. You think you know something, man, how wrong you can be.

Shaved the first time on Saturday, Gillette 7O'clock in an EJ89, using Proraso (CO Bigelow). WTG/ XTG on face, and what I thought was WTG on neck...first of my learning. Face lathered all areas including neck.

My skin is rather dry at the best of times, and moving slowly through the shave, by the time I got to my neck, my lather was far too dry (upon reflection of course...).

Results Day 1: BBS face (holy $h!t- I didn't know you could get it feeling that smooth, for that long! Lasted almost the entire day, stubble started showing up about 10 hours later, would have been 4-5 hours with the carts). Neck- bleeding everywhere. Bleeding. Not weeping. The fire and brimstone burning my entire neck was grisly. Not a bad shave, but blood and fire pretty much took away any gratification in a job 'well done'.

So, back to the basics. Reread others posts, watched videos, read more. Realize that the top half of my neck (under chin) to about half way down grows N-S, with the bottom half basically opposite (with some exceptions...). I was actually shaving my lower half ATG right out of the gates. Brutal.

Lather- went back to the bowl. Almond size squirt of Proraso (Bigelow) in a wide bowl. Extra water. Mixed the lather for about 3 minutes- the lather was EXPLODING, something that didn't happen when I face lathered (was far too dry), and could hold the bush standing up. I also only lathered my face and top of my neck, shaved WTG, relathered, shaved XTG, relathered areas for touch up, repeat XTG.

Lower neck was done S-N (WTG) after fresh lather. Little pressure. Added fresh later- XTG. Relathered- and with no pressure (I put the razor on, and let it's weight pull down) did ATG.

Result Day 2- BBS face. Neck- maybe 10 tiny weepers. No fire/ aggravation. A fair bit better than SAS, nothing to write home about, though without the pain and blood, a HUGE improvement.
Other changes to note- I soaked my Tweezerman brush in very hot water (15 min), vinegar (15 min), very hot water (15 min), then let it sit in Proraso lather for 7 hours. I also used some Witch Hazel gel prior to the Nivea (sensitive).

Just my ramblings, and hope that this adds value. Will keep working on the neck area- can't have pain like that again! Bush is sitting in the residual lather until tomorrow morning (enough for 2 more full shaves easily!) to help remove more "boar" essence.

Jeff

[brybry642]

Only 2 shaves in, but what an incredible difference. You think you know something, man, how wrong you can be.

Shaved the first time on Saturday, Gillette 7O'clock in an EJ89, using Proraso (CO Bigelow). WTG/ XTG on face, and what I thought was WTG on neck...first of my learning. Face lathered all areas including neck.

My skin is rather dry at the best of times, and moving slowly through the shave, by the time I got to my neck, my lather was far too dry (upon reflection of course...).

Results Day 1: BBS face (holy $h!t- I didn't know you could get it feeling that smooth, for that long! Lasted almost the entire day, stubble started showing up about 10 hours later, would have been 4-5 hours with the carts). Neck- bleeding everywhere. Bleeding. Not weeping. The fire and brimstone burning my entire neck was grisly. Not a bad shave, but blood and fire pretty much took away any gratification in a job 'well done'.

So, back to the basics. Reread others posts, watched videos, read more. Realize that the top half of my neck (under chin) to about half way down grows N-S, with the bottom half basically opposite (with some exceptions...). I was actually shaving my lower half ATG right out of the gates. Brutal.

Lather- went back to the bowl. Almond size squirt of Proraso (Bigelow) in a wide bowl. Extra water. Mixed the lather for about 3 minutes- the lather was EXPLODING, something that didn't happen when I face lathered (was far too dry), and could hold the bush standing up. I also only lathered my face and top of my neck, shaved WTG, relathered, shaved XTG, relathered areas for touch up, repeat XTG.

Lower neck was done S-N (WTG) after fresh lather. Little pressure. Added fresh later- XTG. Relathered- and with no pressure (I put the razor on, and let it's weight pull down) did ATG.

Result Day 2- BBS face. Neck- maybe 10 tiny weepers. No fire/ aggravation. A fair bit better than SAS, nothing to write home about, though without the pain and blood, a HUGE improvement.
Other changes to note- I soaked my Tweezerman brush in very hot water (15 min), vinegar (15 min), very hot water (15 min), then let it sit in Proraso lather for 7 hours. I also used some Witch Hazel gel prior to the Nivea (sensitive).

Just my ramblings, and hope that this adds value. Will keep working on the neck area- can't have pain like that again! Bush is sitting in the residual lather until tomorrow morning (enough for 2 more full shaves easily!) to help remove more "boar" essence.

Jeff

I found that the first month or two I would get weepers every time that I shaved with a DE. These weren't nicks or cuts, they were more due to irritation. IMO they were due to my face adjusting to the new, more aggressive style of shaving.

I hope you continue to enjoy it like I have!

[sylynce]

Thanks brybry- I am committed to the timeless, old-world feeling of the DE shave. Will learn to get better and better at it.

Jeff

[Predict]

Sounds like your making progress. Keep it up!

[sylynce]

it's coming and feels pretty rewarding/ satisfying. I am looking forward to new blades (I will have to save up to get a new sampler) and soaps.
I am watching some Mantic59 movies as I write this! Never stop learning.

[Whilliam]

If your lather dries out on your face, just grab a handful of water and wet it. You'll be fine. We cannot have you bleeding to death this early in the game.

Best,

Bill

BOTOC

[sylynce]

Thanks Bill. I also found that only lathering a portion of my face at a time made me really focus on the job at hand. A piece at a time. Finish it to satisfaction, then start another area. Rinse and repeat until the job is done. Lather was always fresh and moist, i was never rushing (you couldn't really rush, as there was no lather, and I had to stop, put down the razor, pick up the brush, put down the brush, pick up the razor...)

All in all, until I pick up my skill level, this break/ start approach might add additional benefits. Willing to try anything to keep the good shaves comin'

[Oblique Human]

You grew wise in those 2 shaves! One never stops learning or imparting something new, and I'm beginning to sound more like Yoda every day.

Brush would fare better still if treated to a lather of liquid dishwash followed by a half hour dip in vinegar mix.

[LegionPrime]

Yeah, I found my learning curve to be rather steep so far and while it will taper off for sure, it doesn't ever seem to level off. *LOL* Face mapping is probably the steepest learning curve in the beginning unless you're one of a lucky few who has all their hair growing in one uniform direction. It's taken me two weeks of shaving & I'm still trying to figure out the best way to deal with my neck. But I will say I am able to shave comfortably on a daily basis (and once even twice in 1 day) which I was never able to do very well before, I even find myself getting anxious to shave again. Keep at it, explore pre & post shave options & you'll find what works for you.

[PugslyCat]

Welcome aboard, Jeff! That no pain and blood thing is kind of important.

Things that are kind of important are to make certain your beard is fully hydrated before shaving. That's why it's recommended to shave after showering. The hot, moist environment softens the whiskers and makes them easier to cut.

You might want to go ahead and lather your entire face at once. If you are moving slowly and a portion of your face dries out, just add more lather. That gives the lather time to work on your beard. I lather starting around my chin and work out away from the center of my face. I shave starting at the sides of my face and finish in the center. That gives the chin, my notorious trouble spot, the most time with the lather softening my beard before I try to shave it.

[sylynce]

Thanks Pugsly- hadn't thought of that. No risk of the lather drying out your skin?