Best shave yet!!

**unsavery** · 08-31-2006, 01:52 PM

Well, I posted on here a few weeks ago about my shaving experience to that point. After some good advice, I adjusted my shaving a little. Not much change just added and took away somethings. Today was the closest and least painful of them all. I thought that my technique was off and boy was it.

First, I was holding the razor at to steep of and angle. Secondly, I switched blades from Mekur and Isreali to Derby today. It's my first day with the Derby blades but if tommorrow is like today then this will be my blade. Third, but most important, I redid my lather building. I spend a little more time working it and more water and it is doing great.

For those whom don't know my other thread, I will give a little info about my equipment and steps.

Equipment:
gillette adjustable set at 3-4 now verse 5-6 before
proraso shaving cream
nivea after shave gel
proraso brush

Technique:
shower without washing face
brush and bowl soaking in hot water while showering
drain water from bowl and add about 1/2 inch proraso cream
let brush drain till no water runs out and lightly shake twice
work cream adding a few drops of water a little at a time until cream get thick,rich and shines
apply to face in circular motion then paint brush to smooth out
shave with grain
rinse face with warm water and re-lather
shave with grain(N-S on both steps)
rinse face with warm water and examine face
apply more cream on wet face if need be
shave nose to ear
rinse with warm water and examine face again
re-lather needed areas and shave these areas against grain
rinse face with warm water followed by cold water and apply aftershave

Today this was the best shave yet. The only thing that I may change is doing away with the proraso and buying some other type of cream or soap.
My face is just a little sore and I think it may be the proraso since it has not been as bad since I done away with the proraso pre/post shave.

Hopefully all my shaves will be this smooth but if not I still prefer wetshaving and will continue.

Steven

**jduffy** · 08-31-2006, 01:53 PM

Nice job!

It's about one of the best feelings in the world you have to admit.

**ada8356** · 08-31-2006, 01:57 PM

Getting the first great shave is awesome... I truly feel badly for my friends that won't try this.

**thatbrian** · 08-31-2006, 02:02 PM

Brilliant!!!! I think that 3 is a good setting on the adjustable for now and it might be for always. I have tried to push it and was sorry afterward. I think that 3 on my Fat Boy is the perfect balance of a close shave and no irritation.

**vox_rox** · 08-31-2006, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by thatbrian

Brilliant!!!! I think that 3 is a good setting on the adjustable for now and it might be for always. I have tried to push it and was sorry afterward. I think that 3 on my Fat Boy is the perfect balance of a close shave and no irritation.

Strangely, last night was my first shave with my Super Adjustable, and I put it on 3! The strange thing is, as I started to shave, I realized that even at 3 it exposed more blade than either my 40s SuperSpeed or my Merkur HD, and the little voice in my head said "be really friggin' careful man!"

Well, I didn't listen and I got my first nick in 3 months, right on my chin. But the shave was pretty good, not as good as my SS, but good for three passes. I didn't want to risk a fourth with the blood on my chin, especially after watching Scorcese's "The Big Shave" video yesterday.

Still, I think the adjustable holds some promise, but I doubt that I'll move it above 3 any time soon, and would recommend any other first time adjustable user to keep it to 3 or less until you realize the potential of this instrument.

Anyway, glad to hear you're getting some success with the shaving setup you have, stick with it and improve your technique and those shaves will get better and better.

And, listen to those voices!

Peace,

Pierre

**Jim** · 08-31-2006, 03:51 PM

It only gets better! way to go!

**Aky007** · 08-31-2006, 11:20 PM

Top stuff!

**Tito** · 09-01-2006, 04:08 PM

I had the exact same results!!!

Mmm Proraso & Adj. set at #3 there must be something to this.

**Kyle Stoner** · 09-02-2006, 01:12 AM

I have been working through my blade sample pack from letterk and yesterday was my 2nd Derby. Well I swipe my blade edges with 91% alcohol when I store them to keep them in good condition and set my Super Adjustable on 9 to give them space. Well as you can imagine I forgot it was on 9 and I shaved with that setting totally without knowing it, and I thought I was losing faith in Derby with the cuts I was geting (mediocre technique). But still didnt have much cuts! Today was with the same Derby, smoothest shave yet with least irritation. Good news! After I go through all the blades I will select my 3 favorite and start experimenting with different settings (I have been using #1 so far).

**Jonnybc** · 09-02-2006, 01:31 AM

Whenever I use an adjustable for the first time I always set it at the least blade exposure available, once I've had a good shave I click it up a notch and find the right setting that way.