Day 1 with DE and wetshaving

**rob_NH** · 07-16-2012, 02:34 PM

Yeah, I guess I will just slow it down. Go back to 2 passes WTG with no pressure, and see what happens from there. I am probably just trying too much too soon with my 4 passes.

I should also look more closely at the prep. I think I'm doing a pretty god job at hydrating the hair.

**rob_NH** · 07-16-2012, 09:25 PM

My mike's soap order arrived today. That means: mike's tomorrow, and super lather on wednesday! Woo hoo!

**Whilliam** · 07-17-2012, 12:57 AM

Welcome. Learn. Enjoy!

**Doc226** · 07-17-2012, 03:23 AM

Welcome.

I hated the Merkur blades, they seem dull right out of the package. I loved the Feather blades, they require no pressure.

Always, always just change one variable at a time, then test it a few times before "liking it or hating it"

**rob_NH** · 07-17-2012, 07:23 AM

Well, this morning, I tried my new Mike's Natural Soap. It was very nice. Just did 2 passes, N/S with an E/W under the nose for the second pass. Much more comfortable. I will continue sticking with my current setup and 2 passes for a few weeks and really get the hang of it. The shave is not that close, but still closer than I ever got with a Fusion, so I will slow down and learn to walk before I try to run.

Despite that, I will try to superlather the mikes with a cream tomorrow.

**Attila** · 07-17-2012, 08:50 AM

Good stuff! Enjoy your shaves sir. :)

**rob_NH** · 07-18-2012, 12:03 PM

Well, today was shav 7. Day 3 with the same Astra blade. The blade was definitely ready for replacement, but I used it anyway. Not as close a shave as yesterday. So I seem to get 2 days from these blades (and I am only doing 2 passes and a tiny amount of touch up).

My face seems to be healing up nicely now that I am doing just 2 passes in the NS direction.

Used the Mike's soap with the TOBS cream. Definitely more product was used up than needed. Not sure I did that great a super lather, maybe too little water? I will stick with the prorasso for the next 23 shaves. It is the easiest for em to get a comfortable lather right now.

finished with a QCS aftershave. That was very nice.

I am committed to using the Merkur HD for 23 more shaves with 2 passes only in NS direction. I will try the other blades from the assortment pack as I do it. Going back to feathers for tomorrow. Maybe this will be what I need for a close 2 pass shave, as I was hacking up my skin with them trying 4 passes before I was ready.

**rob_NH** · 07-19-2012, 06:09 PM

Day 8 not so good.

2 passes with the feathers in the HD. Super light touch. Terrible shave, not close at all, plus irritation.

I face lathered for the first time, with the Mike's soap. Had no problem getting up the lather. Had plenty for the 2 passes, probably enough left for a third. Tomorrow I will try again with the same razor/blade combo and bowl lather the prorasso. The prorasso has been the best lubricant for me so far. To early to tell if it is the cream for sure, as I have been jumping around too much with the variables to draw any conclusions. I am going to keep using the razor and blade, try to find a comfortable cream or soap, and see if I can get my technique strong enough to start experimenting with other aspects of this adventure.

Also, new Thater 4125/1 Finest 2-Band Silvertip brush arrived today. I'll take that out for a spin tomorrow.

**rob_NH** · 07-20-2012, 11:23 AM

Day 9.

Not a great shave closeness wise, but my face feels great, so all these nice shaving products are helping my skin I think.

Today was the same Merkur 34c I've used every day. Decided my face felt a little abused yesterday by the feathers blade, despite only doing 2 very light passes, so I moved on for now. Went with an Israeli Personna. Blade seemed like it was a bad fit for me. Did 3 passes, WTG, XTG, XTG in other direction. Not a very close shave. A little tugging during the shave. But my face feels fantastic anyway.

I superlathered my Mike's Natural Lime soap with my QCS Iced Key Lime Cream. It was pretty amazing. Used my new Semogue 830 brush for the first time. Lathering took quite a bit more product than my Rooney 3/1 silvertip, and took a lot more time to get there. I was not won over with the brush, but then combo of the superlather was incredible. Finished with the QCS Vostok. All that icy goodness from the Iced cream and the vostok was really nice. Tomorrow I will try again with the new Thater 4125/1 2-band silver tip I have yet to try out, and this same super lather combo. Also need to try a new razor blade.

I am certainly not perfect with my technique, but my touch is light, and I think my prep is good. Shaving in the shower, really getting the beard wet. Pre-washing with MR GLO. Working the brush on my face for at least 30 seconds to get the lather in. I think I am making good lather. I seem to have only 2 choices: not close shave or razor burn. I'm sure it is mostly technique, but I will soldier on and try to find something between the feathers and the Israeli Personnas.

**Rustonrazor** · 07-20-2012, 01:52 PM

You will probably hear this from most others, but make sure to only introduce one new thing at a time. Get a combo that works for you 1 time and try it again to see if you can duplicate it. I know you want to try all the stuff you got. I was the same way and everyone here told me the same thing. Also, your face will take a little time to get used to treating it right. There will be a huge learning curve and you will have ups and downs with every few shaves. You are making good progress. Simplify things as much as you can and you will see vast improvements. Less working parts(equipment or product) means less you can mess up in the beginning. Good luck and enjoy!!

**Attila** · 07-20-2012, 02:23 PM

You know, I hate to suggest another variable...but my first razor was a Merkur 38C. I found that most blades I used in there gave me problems. Now keep in mind I was just learning so a lot of that could be technique. I switched to a Edwin Jaeger DE89, considered to be a more mild razor and some of the blades I had worked very well with it and my skin type. Recently I tried shaving with the Merkur again and ran into a fair bit of skin irritation so I went back to my DE89 and found I got much better, irritation free shaves. Gave the Merkur to the wife for shaving her legs, she loves it. :) As in all things here, your mileage may vary...but this is just something to keep in mind.

Please keep us posted as to further developments. Patience and a light touch are the key, especially for us beginners!

**rob_NH** · 07-22-2012, 05:41 AM

Well, today was shave #10.

Went great.

I read leisureguy's Gourmet Shaving book yesterday, and took to heart some of his suggestions. Most notably, I shaved at the sink rather than the shower, and will continue to do so for a while. Being able to hear the razor cut is very helpful at this point on the learning curve. Shaving in the quiet is my new plan.

I also took to heart his recommendation for shorter strokes. I think this helped a lot.

I used a Personna red box blade today, and it was better form the perspective of irritation. (I also super lathered the QCS with the mikes, but this time with the new thater brush. That brush is amazing. So soft, nice backbone, lathered VERY quickly. I finished the shave with a sub par shave. Rough all over. After 2 passes and some touch up. I used the alum block and a cold water rinse after the shave, and based on what leisureguy said, I think I was pretty razor burn free, as there was no stinging with the alum block.

I agree that i don't want to keep jumping around, but I htink I am getting my best lather with the Thater, so I will stick with that for a while.

I don't think I am getting a good razor/blade combo. I have both an DE89 and an R41, as I thought I would try them after mastering my technique with the Merkur HD. I have read a post elsewhere that said the R41 was no harder to learn to use than the Merkur, so I may try it. With tough hair and sensitive skin, It might be a good way to get closer shaves with fewer passes.

One of the things that makes me hesitate about the DE89 is the post I read that the Merkur teaches good technique faster than the DE89, as it is less forgiving of bad technique. I think I am getting closer to better technique with shaving in front of the sink in the quiet, and am more inclined to try the R41 than the DE89. We'll see what hair-brained decision I make tomorrow about the razor/blade combo, I think I can do better than I have found so far. I think I might try the QCS wihtout the Mike's tomorrow as well. No question though, the Thater is the brush of choice for a while. That brush is worth the price!

**Agravic** · 07-22-2012, 07:22 AM

Welcome!

**sparco** · 07-22-2012, 07:51 AM

Welcome to Badger & Blade Rob. Have a great time here.

**rob_NH** · 07-24-2012, 07:23 AM

This is clearly becoming my learning to shave journal, and I will continue to use it as such.

Shave #11 with the DE and brush.

So, I decided that I was not really getting what I was looking for out of the Merkur HD, despite really liking it aesthetically. I ordered a DE89 and a R41, and thought one or the other might be better for me. Each one of those being described as either more or less aggressive than the HD. Well, this morning I tried the R41 on 3 days of facial hair growth. Did 2 passes with it loaded with a Feather blade after lathering with QCS Icy Lime cream and a thater brush.

I had a little trouble getting the QCS to lather well. It seems to work better for me when super lathering it with my Mike's soap. So I may go back to that. Or maybe just try Mike's by itself. We'll see what my mood is tomorrow.

I shaved after showering and washing my face with MR GLO. I really love the MR GLO. Smells awesome and is a pleasure to use. I hat ethe mess I make a the bathroom sink. I can't wait until I'm shaving well enough to go back to shower shaving.

I did 2 passes N/S, which is largely with the grain for my face and XTG on my neck. I did a second pass E/W for the mustache area, and a hint of touch up under the nose.

They say the R41 is not recommended for Newbs. well, I'll agree it might be a little more challenging for your first shave, but I had more success today than with the HD so far. It was also easier for me to use no pressure, as the blade is just so exposed, and it just cuts through my tough hair so easily.

I finished with some QCS Votok ASB, and now, and hour later, my skin still feels non-irritated. Also, much closer shave than my last 3 pass shave with the DE with only 1 day of growth.

I think I have found a combo I can maybe stick with for a whole month while I learn to shave with a DE. We'll see how my skin feels after a few more days with this combo: thater, R41, feathers, mike's soap and QCS super lather, QCS aftershave balm.

I might add in some kind of astringent to the aftershave regimen as well.

**Rustonrazor** · 07-24-2012, 08:18 AM

Glad you are seeing progress. Could be a good thing in the razor change.

**Graybeard57** · 07-24-2012, 08:39 AM

Welcome. Enjoy shaving. Actually, I now do.

**Whilliam** · 07-25-2012, 02:48 AM

Welcome. Learn. Enjoy!

**rob_NH** · 07-25-2012, 03:26 PM

Shave #12, best shave yet.

Skin is getting in better shape as it is getting used to new shaving stuff, and being treated with products to help it stay healthy.

Did 2 passes with the R41 with a Feathers blade. 1 N/S pass on face and neck (WTG on face, XTG on neck), 1 E/W pass on face, S/N on neck (both XTG).

Had some problems lathering a tangerine QCS soap, and gave up and went with Mike's Lime, which whipped right up. Used the thater brush again. Still loving it. So comfortable. Followed up with the Votok ASB from QCS. Resulting shave was defninitely not BBS but was easily a DFS.

**tinashubby** · 07-25-2012, 04:32 PM

Since you are looking for less chemicals in your products, check out some of the artisan soaps. I like : http://www.mystic4men.com/ she makes great scents, I have no problems lathering.
One of the best aftershaves I've tried recently is Lucky Tiger. I was put off by the name and logo, figured it was some kind of cheap, Kung Fu stuff.

It is witch hazel based, no burn after a bad shave, which may lead to more irritation and red blotches. It has a very mild orange scent that (on me) completely disappears when dry. I had a bad shave the other day and reapplied "The Tiger" to some tender spots and an hour later they were fine.
I have found that Astra SP blades work for me in DE89, sharp enough to cut but not too aggressive on my skin if I need extra touch ups. As always YMMV.