Notes on my shave today - best yet.

**gumbo** · 03-30-2009, 07:17 AM

This was my 9th DE shave over the past two weeks. I started with a 34C, which I liked, but was looking for improvement on the blade (Merkur at the time), and my lathering technique - wet and not very thick. I then progressed to Derby blades and a 23C which came four days ago. Better, but I was still having trouble around my neck. Obviously this had some to do with my technique, as I have a weird grain pattern left and right of the Adam's apple.

Today I tried a gold ball end tech that I got from a member in the mail yesterday. I wasn't expecting much, it was 15 bucks, simple, and basic. With that said, I absolutely love it. Low-profile (finally got those under the nose hairs with a WTG pass), maneuverable, and very smooth. I finally tried "buffing" with some success, and found that I was BBS with one WTG and two XTG. I didn't even need ATG today. NO irritation, at all.

Of other note, I hand stropped a new derby extra - which may have helped a bit, and used TOBS lemon-lime, when I had previously been using AOS lavender or Derby Lavender. I love the smell of this TOBS, and the lather was my best yet, as whipped up in my Georgetown scuttle.

In summation, the tech rocks, and maybe hand stropping actually works a bit. Can't wait for my straights to come in the mail this week so I can give that a go. The shave den is complete for now, and I think I have my RAD under control for at least the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for everything - I am looking to PIF real soon, once I can pare down what I really need and what I can pass on to someone else to try.