First DE Shave Less than 20 Minutes Ago

**mmp13** · 09-08-2006, 09:12 PM

WOW!!!! That is what I have to say. I cannot believe the results.

This is the closest shave that I have ever achieved.

After lurking here and checking things out I have purchased a Merkur HD from classicshaving.com. I bought creams from scotto and tried the lavender for my first shave. I am using a Merkur Super blade, not the one that came with the razor! I have blades on the way from letterk and I have watched the videos. My brush leaves a bit to be desired for right now but for a good reason. I am a woodturner and I am in the process of importing 20 Silvertip brush heads from China. I will turn exotic wood handles for them and keep a couple for myself and sell a couple. I have a little money tied up in that right now so I figured that I could get by with a less expensive brush for the time being.

A few things that I noticed.

1. I have to work on my lather building. I thought that the first lather that I had gotten was all right but the first pass produced a bit of irritation. This was partly caused by the poor lather that I built before the first pass and the fact that I did not follow the rule of shaving for par. I went slow but I think that I made a couple too many passes over unlathered areas.

2. A good shave cream smells great.

3. I thought I was close after the first pass by feel but the razor was still cutting hair. The second pass I cleaned the brush and used a little more cream and got a perfect lather but that did not take care of the irritation from the first pass.

4. I need a good shave balm. I think that I will go to target tomorrow and get some of the proraso.

5. Just under my chin was hard to get but with the proper lather and a very light against the grain pass took care of it without irratation.

Overall I think I did pretty good for the first time.

QUESTION: I did have some small nicks mainly due to some of the bumps left over from my Gillette Hacker (I mean fusion) so I needed to use a styptic pencil. I was not sure when to use it though. I used it after I rinsed my face with warm water and the poors were still open. THAT STUNG. Should I rinse with cold water before I use the styptic?

Other than that, thank you for all the advice.

Matt P.

**ouch** · 09-08-2006, 09:43 PM

Still alive?

**MasonM** · 09-08-2006, 09:56 PM

I use the styptic after rinsing with cold. The nicks will eventually go away as your skin adjusts and your technique improves. I got more nicks from the multiblades than from a DE, but I think that's only because I was paying more attention with the DE.

**mmp13** · 09-08-2006, 10:43 PM

I am still alive and well. The nicks were very small. They were where my skin was previously irritated from the cartridge razor. I was only curious about the styptic because it burned in areas where there were no visible nicks.

It has now been a little while and all of the irritation is gone so I must have done something right.

**mparker762** · 09-08-2006, 11:02 PM

The skin is many cell layers thick, you won't see blood until you've cut through nearly all of them. But the alum will sting if you've cut through more than a few layers. Once you can achieve BBS regularly, it's a good idea to occasionally use the alum bar to see which parts of your face are giving you trouble.

**Folie** · 09-09-2006, 08:33 AM

When you get done making those brushes that you were talking about, you should post pictures so we can all admire you beautiful work.

**PalmettoB** · 09-09-2006, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by mmp13

QUESTION: I did have some small nicks mainly due to some of the bumps left over from my Gillette Hacker (I mean fusion) so I needed to use a styptic pencil. I was not sure when to use it though. I used it after I rinsed my face with warm water and the poors were still open. THAT STUNG. Should I rinse with cold water before I use the styptic?

Other than that, thank you for all the advice.

Matt P.

Matt:
DE shaves are the best! Congratulations on a good one. As to your styptic pencil, I'd use mine after the cold water and before the AS balm. Just my 2¢.

**Jim** · 09-09-2006, 11:34 AM

Way to go Matt! it only gets better!

**mpisarcik** · 09-09-2006, 12:09 PM

Hey quick question for everyone-

After shaving, I kind of use a styptic pencil over my face (after cold water) until my alum block arrives. I have found that this interferes with the consistency of the Proraso pre/post cream. Should I rinse after applying alum/styptic? Thanks-

**TraderJoe** · 09-09-2006, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by mpisarcik

Hey quick question for everyone-

After shaving, I kind of use a styptic pencil over my face (after cold water) until my alum block arrives. I have found that this interferes with the consistency of the Proraso pre/post cream. Should I rinse after applying alum/styptic? Thanks-

I'm not sure the consitency is affecting performance of your post cream, but if it is...or if you don't like the consistency, maybe do a splash/swipe with some witch hazel.

**htownmmm** · 09-09-2006, 09:57 PM

Way to go and welcome to B&B.

Resistance is futile- you will be assimilated!

Marty

**Kyle Stoner** · 09-09-2006, 11:12 PM

When I use a styptic pencil liberally (if I have my adjustable set too high, for example) I find that when I rinse with cold water, parts of my face that have the styptic material become kind of 'sticky' or almost water repellant. So I have found new methods of using the styptic that eliminate interference while closing up the cuts, with a little imagination.

**gc_30286** · 09-11-2006, 07:21 AM

my after shave consists of
hot water rinse
styptic all over face (i did not like this at all during my early shaving days)
cool water rinse (make sure i get all the alum off)
cold water splash
pat dry
after shave balm

i probably wont ever leave this system as i like the way that alum makes my face feel after a good shave. i find that it dries my skin so i use a moistering non alchol balm (like nivea).

welcome to B&B

matthew

**mmp13** · 09-12-2006, 06:57 AM

Well I have since completed 4 DE Shaves and they have all been wonderfull and close. I went out last night and bought a little water boiler and used it this morning. It made lathering and applying the lather all the more wonderful. Well worth the 14 bucks.

I shaved yesterday morning with 0 nicks but had a couple this morning. Still working well though.

I am suffering from a small (very small) amount of irritation along my jaw line on the right side of my face, nothing on my left side so I think that it is the way that I am holding the razor over there.

Other than that all is going well and I cannot wait to get the brush heads (which I will post) and my blade sampler pack.

**Jim** · 09-12-2006, 07:26 AM

Matt
Glad to hear it! You are on the money about the one spot, I would bet its an area that is hard to get close and you are adding some pressure.
You could try going at this area first when you shave- making sure that you are going with the grain and then stop- no more passes- let the area heal up completely for a week or so.
Post up those brushes!

**HawkeyeDave** · 09-12-2006, 10:41 AM

Welcome Matt!

I would love to try one of your brushes. When you finish them let us know. I would buy one off of you.

**mmp13** · 09-14-2006, 08:17 PM

I have been successfully shaving quite well with good results.

I will surely post some of the brushes up here when I get them. I receive word from the manufacturer of the heads in China that they should be shipped next week and then I will need some lathe time to take care of the handles. I am looking forward to a nice silvertip brush.