This journal started out as part of an introductory post. On the odd chance that my journey might help a fellow newbie, I decided to consolidate the posts, and add new posts, to a thread with a more descriptive title. So, here goes.
Day 1
After a childhood of memories of my father's Old Spice shaving soap mug in the bathroom, and his recent passing, I finally used a safety razor for the first time tonight. This forum provided this lurker with all the tips and suggestions that I needed to get started on the glorious wet shaving path. I like to think that my Dad would be proud of me, and the experience somehow makes me closer to him.
The arsenal this evening was ... Col. Conk Apothecary Shaving Mug (I don't have my dad's yet), Parker pure badger brush, Edwin Jagger DE8911, Feather DE blade, Ogallala Bay Rum Sandalwood shaving soap and aftershave. It was a bloodless first shave, which was miles more than I expected. I love the aftershave ... Almost oily, which I never experienced before.
So, thanks for all of your advice, and helping me connect with my dad.
Day 2
Thanks all for the warm welcomes. A quick update and NooB question.
As I reported above, my first shave was last night. I don't shave at night, but when all my tools/toys arrived, I couldn't wait for the morning. I am not generally an aftershave kinda guy, mostly because I have a fairly sensitive sense of smell. That sense of smell is wonderful for picking out nuances in a glass of wine. But, makes most aftershaves, colognes, etc. just intolerable. Well, the Ogallala Bay Rum Sandalwood aftershave was great at first. A bit strong for me, but soothing. And then I woke up in the middle of the night about ready to gag on the smell. Note to self, don't put scented aftershave on before bed!!!!
Second shave was this morning. I got a bit more aggressive with the razor this time. Not bloodless, but nothing to call 911 over. Just a few dots around the chin. I haven't reached the BB smooth level yet, but feel like I am on the right track. If it was perfect the first time, it wouldn't be a Zen-thing.
Now the NooB question. Do you keep your shaving soap puck in the mug at all times, or do you keep them separate? So far, I have kept them separate ... adding some soap to the brush and then generating the foam in the cup. Thoughts?
Day 3
Thanks to all for the continuing warm welcomes and tips!
This morning was my first "real" business-day morning shave. After getting tips/directions from you all, and suffering through two days of strong, long-lasting aftershave, I decided to change things up.
- Replaced the 2 shave-old Feather blade for an Astra SP. My initial reaction is that the Feather was a bit sharper, but not enough to make a difference if there is a cost difference favoring the Astra.
- Used Col. Conk's Amber glycerin shave soap (a freebie with my mug), and used the technique linked above. (soak brush, wring out extra water, load brush outside bowl, create lather in bowl). Whether it was the technique or the shave soap, I don't know. But, I quickly worked up much more lather than I ever had with the Ogallala soap. It easily lasted through 3 passes, and I had plenty left over.
- I focused on short (~1") strokes and remembered to use both sides of the blade. The short strokes definitely help. I still have to think to turn the razor over before cleaning in the sink. After 40 years of stroke-rinse, stroke-rinse, it is funny that I have to concentrate on stroke, flip, stroke, rinse.
- Used good old Clubman aftershave. It doesn't have that nice oily feel of the Ogallala, but I doubt I will pass out over the perpetual scent. Not that the Ogallala scent is bad, it is just omnipresent ... it reminds me of the saying that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" ... there is no absence once you apply the Ogallala!
I changed too many variables to know for sure, but I think the short stroke technique resulted in my closest shave yet. Almost BBS.
That is it for Day 3.
Day 4
Since I did not originally purchase pre-shave oil, I've been reading up on various options. Well, I stumbled onto several threads that said Noxzema makes a great and cheap pre-shave. There were also some references to SheaMoisture African Black Soap shave creme. Well, a quick stop at Walgreens, several buy 1, get one 50% off, deals later, and I have enough of both to last quite some time. And part of my switch to a double edge razor was to save money. Ha!!!!!
This morning I applied the Noxzema first and let it set for awhile. Then I applied the Col. Conk Amber glycerin shaving soap on top. I can't tell if it resulted in a closer shave, but the shaving soap sure stayed longer and was thicker with the Noxzema underneath. The downside is that the Noxzema holds onto the razor and, as a result, the razor requires more washing attention.
During my last razor pass I used the old (to me) technique of passing one hand over my face to find rough spots, and immediately taking a pass with the razor in the same direction. It worked well and I have the closest double edge shave so far.
Day 5
Saturday, my first Saturday since starting on the wet shave journey. Instead of taking my time and enjoying a long morning shave ritual, I had to get up and get going.
First, I swapped out my 2 shave Astro blade for a new Feather blade. I had some blemishes after yesterdays close shave. Blemishes on a 50 year old there are other ways to feel young again, and that is not the recommended route.
So, I decided to give the ShaeMoisture African Black Soap shave crème a shot. I got my face wet and applied layer of the crème and let it sit for a bit. Then, decided to add some Ogallala sandalwood on the top. Well, unlike yesterdays experience with the Noxzema/Col Conk Amber combination, these two did not seem to play nice. The crème seems to act as an anti-foam agent. Nonetheless, the first pass went well without an incident.
For the second pass I just used the Ogallala, which was fine but uninspiring.
For the third pass I decided to give the crème a second chance. I put some in my shaving mug (it says it can be applied with a brush) and tried to create a lather. No Go! So, I loaded some more Ogallala on the brush and tried to work up a lather. Almost a no go. Yup, that crème sure is an anti-lather agent.
I finished my third pass using the anti-lather, and then cleaned my face with Noxzema. The Noxzema sure will wake you up after a fresh shave. Then I finished it off with good old clubman. No I at least smell like a 50 year old (that is, back in 1950, or so I imagine).
All in all, I didnt get the closest shave ever. I cant tell if the Feather or the Astro blade works better in my DE8911. I will have to alternate a few more times, and keep the other variables the same, to really tell.
Day 1
After a childhood of memories of my father's Old Spice shaving soap mug in the bathroom, and his recent passing, I finally used a safety razor for the first time tonight. This forum provided this lurker with all the tips and suggestions that I needed to get started on the glorious wet shaving path. I like to think that my Dad would be proud of me, and the experience somehow makes me closer to him.
The arsenal this evening was ... Col. Conk Apothecary Shaving Mug (I don't have my dad's yet), Parker pure badger brush, Edwin Jagger DE8911, Feather DE blade, Ogallala Bay Rum Sandalwood shaving soap and aftershave. It was a bloodless first shave, which was miles more than I expected. I love the aftershave ... Almost oily, which I never experienced before.
So, thanks for all of your advice, and helping me connect with my dad.
Day 2
Thanks all for the warm welcomes. A quick update and NooB question.
As I reported above, my first shave was last night. I don't shave at night, but when all my tools/toys arrived, I couldn't wait for the morning. I am not generally an aftershave kinda guy, mostly because I have a fairly sensitive sense of smell. That sense of smell is wonderful for picking out nuances in a glass of wine. But, makes most aftershaves, colognes, etc. just intolerable. Well, the Ogallala Bay Rum Sandalwood aftershave was great at first. A bit strong for me, but soothing. And then I woke up in the middle of the night about ready to gag on the smell. Note to self, don't put scented aftershave on before bed!!!!
Second shave was this morning. I got a bit more aggressive with the razor this time. Not bloodless, but nothing to call 911 over. Just a few dots around the chin. I haven't reached the BB smooth level yet, but feel like I am on the right track. If it was perfect the first time, it wouldn't be a Zen-thing.
Now the NooB question. Do you keep your shaving soap puck in the mug at all times, or do you keep them separate? So far, I have kept them separate ... adding some soap to the brush and then generating the foam in the cup. Thoughts?
Day 3
Thanks to all for the continuing warm welcomes and tips!
This morning was my first "real" business-day morning shave. After getting tips/directions from you all, and suffering through two days of strong, long-lasting aftershave, I decided to change things up.
- Replaced the 2 shave-old Feather blade for an Astra SP. My initial reaction is that the Feather was a bit sharper, but not enough to make a difference if there is a cost difference favoring the Astra.
- Used Col. Conk's Amber glycerin shave soap (a freebie with my mug), and used the technique linked above. (soak brush, wring out extra water, load brush outside bowl, create lather in bowl). Whether it was the technique or the shave soap, I don't know. But, I quickly worked up much more lather than I ever had with the Ogallala soap. It easily lasted through 3 passes, and I had plenty left over.
- I focused on short (~1") strokes and remembered to use both sides of the blade. The short strokes definitely help. I still have to think to turn the razor over before cleaning in the sink. After 40 years of stroke-rinse, stroke-rinse, it is funny that I have to concentrate on stroke, flip, stroke, rinse.
- Used good old Clubman aftershave. It doesn't have that nice oily feel of the Ogallala, but I doubt I will pass out over the perpetual scent. Not that the Ogallala scent is bad, it is just omnipresent ... it reminds me of the saying that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" ... there is no absence once you apply the Ogallala!
I changed too many variables to know for sure, but I think the short stroke technique resulted in my closest shave yet. Almost BBS.
That is it for Day 3.
Day 4
Since I did not originally purchase pre-shave oil, I've been reading up on various options. Well, I stumbled onto several threads that said Noxzema makes a great and cheap pre-shave. There were also some references to SheaMoisture African Black Soap shave creme. Well, a quick stop at Walgreens, several buy 1, get one 50% off, deals later, and I have enough of both to last quite some time. And part of my switch to a double edge razor was to save money. Ha!!!!!
This morning I applied the Noxzema first and let it set for awhile. Then I applied the Col. Conk Amber glycerin shaving soap on top. I can't tell if it resulted in a closer shave, but the shaving soap sure stayed longer and was thicker with the Noxzema underneath. The downside is that the Noxzema holds onto the razor and, as a result, the razor requires more washing attention.
During my last razor pass I used the old (to me) technique of passing one hand over my face to find rough spots, and immediately taking a pass with the razor in the same direction. It worked well and I have the closest double edge shave so far.
Day 5
Saturday, my first Saturday since starting on the wet shave journey. Instead of taking my time and enjoying a long morning shave ritual, I had to get up and get going.
First, I swapped out my 2 shave Astro blade for a new Feather blade. I had some blemishes after yesterdays close shave. Blemishes on a 50 year old there are other ways to feel young again, and that is not the recommended route.
So, I decided to give the ShaeMoisture African Black Soap shave crème a shot. I got my face wet and applied layer of the crème and let it sit for a bit. Then, decided to add some Ogallala sandalwood on the top. Well, unlike yesterdays experience with the Noxzema/Col Conk Amber combination, these two did not seem to play nice. The crème seems to act as an anti-foam agent. Nonetheless, the first pass went well without an incident.
For the second pass I just used the Ogallala, which was fine but uninspiring.
For the third pass I decided to give the crème a second chance. I put some in my shaving mug (it says it can be applied with a brush) and tried to create a lather. No Go! So, I loaded some more Ogallala on the brush and tried to work up a lather. Almost a no go. Yup, that crème sure is an anti-lather agent.
I finished my third pass using the anti-lather, and then cleaned my face with Noxzema. The Noxzema sure will wake you up after a fresh shave. Then I finished it off with good old clubman. No I at least smell like a 50 year old (that is, back in 1950, or so I imagine).
All in all, I didnt get the closest shave ever. I cant tell if the Feather or the Astro blade works better in my DE8911. I will have to alternate a few more times, and keep the other variables the same, to really tell.