Well it's taken about a year of getting reacquainted with DE shaving (did it briefly as a kid), but I'm getting a BBS on a regular basis with little to no bloodshed. I think the first big step in my progress came after about 5 months, when I finally felt confident to go XTG and went from two to three passes. Next step was at about 6 months when I became a cold water shaver. I was getting a lot of nicks and cuts with warm water, and switching to cold seemed to make my face more cut resistant while also providing a firmer surface for a closer shave. And the cuts I do get close easily with a cold water rinse. Next, after about 8 months, I hit upon a blade that seemed to work best for me - the Gillette Silver Blue. I've probably used around 25-30 of them, and each one has given a close, comfortable shave and has been reliably good for 4 shaves. Also around this time I switched from a Semogue 620 boar brush to an EJ best badger. This has given me a sturdier lather, and provided the additional benefit of leaving the top of my shaving soap relatively flat, where the Semogue sort of hollowed it out. Finally, a couple of weeks ago I added a 4th pass to my neck and jawline, using a stroke that's midway between WTG and XTG.
Maybe it's silly, but I really love that extra little feeling of pride and accomplishment at a job well done, and also enjoy how even my stubble is the next day! Best of all is that I enjoy shaving once again, much like when I was a kid 40-plus years ago.
Maybe it's silly, but I really love that extra little feeling of pride and accomplishment at a job well done, and also enjoy how even my stubble is the next day! Best of all is that I enjoy shaving once again, much like when I was a kid 40-plus years ago.
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