A newbie’s journey into DE shaving

[Guido75]

That is a great story Rave @Raven Koenes - seems like the old Dragracer influenced us both then! And he did of course. I think it’s awesome that his handles are popping up in SOTD pictures now and again.

Have you tried the Halo handle with the Blackbird? I have screwed in a couple of my handles but somehow I believe the OEM is the best looking for this particular razor. It’s just right.

Thanks for sharing!

Guido

 

[Raven Koenes]

That is a great story Rave @Raven Koenes - seems like the old Dragracer influenced us both then! And he did of course. I think it’s awesome that his handles are popping up in SOTD pictures now and again.

Have you tried the Halo handle with the Blackbird? I have screwed in a couple of my handles but somehow I believe the OEM is the best looking for this particular razor. It’s just right.

Thanks for sharing!

Guido

I've thought about it. I'm with you, the OEM handle on the Blackbird is the best. The modified Halo belongs with my Lupo. I'm particular about that.

 

[Jay21]

Very good discussion here about Game Changers and Lupos. I have both and multiple plates for both. I think one will find their desired efficiency on either platform without issues. All great razors. For me, I like the Lupo a little more for the sole reason the safety bar is only as wide as the blade, which makes lining up the strokes a little more precise. That’s it.

 

[Guido75]

Thanks Jay @Jay21 - good to know. And I also like the modular nature of both razors. The GC range has now been extended to bigger gaps (not that I need that, but it is nice to know one can). I think Razorock really have two winners here. They are much more expensive in this side of the pond - but that doesn’t take away from their quality.

Guido

 

[Jay21]

Thanks Jay @Jay21 - good to know. And I also like the modular nature of both razors. The GC range has now been extended to bigger gaps (not that I need that, but it is nice to know one can). I think Razorock really have two winners here. They are much more expensive in this side of the pond - but that doesn’t take away from their quality.

Guido

They really are great platforms. They really helped me improve my technique and confidence because I could add new plates with wider gaps, which allowed me to keep every other aspect of my routine the same. Minimized other variables.

 

[Guido75]

Date	04.02.2024
366 daily shaves	035/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Lambda Athena	Gillette Blue Blade (4)	Omega 10098
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Barrister + Mann Leviathan	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Consistency (details here)	Quality / My process
9.5/10 (Significantly Consistent)	9/10 (One weeper)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (BBS-)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Summary. A very sweet and dandy Sunday shave with an excellent razor.

Razor and blade. Gave the blade a stropping on the Allegro after the shave yesterday to prepare it for today’s shave. Comfort levels are sort of going up, but this is definitely not a long-lasting blade. The razor on the other hand is all about longevity. Superior design, superior materials, superior performance. Theo has a new drop of these with a few left available. He is also venturing into other metals. I like brass so I’m good. The combination is doing ok, but I have had close shaves with the Athena.

Brush and lather. Decided to break in the boar some more. Into pass two it usually is softer already.

Technique. Pretty much the same as yesterday. What I also noticed is that I actually increased my prep time. I use KCG face wash as preshave at the moment and I was it in thoroughly whereas I used to just apply Proraso preshave and let that sit as I build my lather. This washing in seems to lengthen my hydration time which in turn leads to more comfortable and closer shaves. Pretty much BBS allround with some stray hairs. It does feel like it will not be a very long lasting BBS - although I must say that I had smoothness until I went to bed yesterday.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[huck1680]

Yes, the Athena....my precious

 

[JoWolf]

Date	04.02.2024
366 daily shaves	035/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Lambda Athena	Gillette Blue Blade (4)	Omega 10098
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Barrister + Mann Leviathan	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Consistency (details here)	Quality / My process
9.5/10 (Significantly Consistent)	9/10 (One weeper)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (BBS-)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Summary. A very sweet and dandy Sunday shave with an excellent razor.

Razor and blade. Gave the blade a stropping on the Allegro after the shave yesterday to prepare it for today’s shave. Comfort levels are sort of going up, but this is definitely not a long-lasting blade. The razor on the other hand is all about longevity. Superior design, superior materials, superior performance. Theo has a new drop of these with a few left available. He is also venturing into other metals. I like brass so I’m good. The combination is doing ok, but I have had close shaves with the Athena.

Brush and lather. Decided to break in the boar some more. Into pass two it usually is softer already.

Technique. Pretty much the same as yesterday. What I also noticed is that I actually increased my prep time. I use KCG face wash as preshave at the moment and I was it in thoroughly whereas I used to just apply Proraso preshave and let that sit as I build my lather. This washing in seems to lengthen my hydration time which in turn leads to more comfortable and closer shaves. Pretty much BBS allround with some stray hairs. It does feel like it will not be a very long lasting BBS - although I must say that I had smoothness until I went to bed yesterday.

Enjoy your shave!

Brush and lather. Decided to break in the boar some more. Into pass two it usually is softer already.

I have always towelled my brushes after use. In the case of boars a little extra time will help hair splitting and bring the brush into a softer profile. I also do a light combing a day after drying to maintain a good shape to the knot. If your brush becomes softer in use you may not be pre soaking it long enough.

I use KCG face wash as preshave at the moment and I was it in thoroughly whereas I used to just apply Proraso preshave and let that sit as I build my lather. This washing in seems to lengthen my hydration time which in turn leads to more comfortable and closer shaves.

I had to pay closer attention to my sensitive skin to achieve comfortable shaves. I believe that extra time in hydration is overlooked by many shavers. You may have the whiskers hydrated. shorter times may leave the skin less ideal for the shave. My pre and post shave routines are the largest part of my shave. Healthy skin is key to comfortable shaves.

 

[Guido75]

I have always towelled my brushes after use. In the case of boars a little extra time will help hair splitting and bring the brush into a softer profile.

That’s definitely what I at least do. I also think it assists the drying process (duh).

I also do a light combing a day after drying to maintain a good shape to the knot.

This I do not do normally. Good point to do so.

The becoming softer during the shave has to do with me forgetting there was presoak water in my brush cup. During the first pass it had been soaking up additional water. Certainly softness increased, but so did the mess when I unknowingly started flipping the brush around on my face!

 

[Guido75]

Date	05.02.2024
366 daily shaves	036/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle Rocca	Gillette Blue Blade (5)	Omega 10098
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Barrister + Mann Leviathan	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Consistency (details here)	Quality / My process
9.5/10 (Significantly Consistent)	6/10 (Cut?!)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.5/10 (DFS++)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Summary. Good shave with one of my favourite razors. The Rocca definitely kickstarted the week and delivered despite a middle of the road blade. The only thing detracting from the experience was a cut on my left cheek out of nowhere.

Razor and blade. Stropped the blade 50 laps on my Twinplex hoping that this will keep the blade going just a little longer. The razor definitely assisted. The razor should have been my advice to my younger self - stepping up from the KCG and following my research for more effectiveness: get a Rocca as second razor. It’s got everything going for it as far as I’m concerned. Honed the blade on my Allegro after the shave again.

Brush and lather. When John @JoWolf mentioned his brush routine I almost immediately took a comb and combed the hairs off my boar back into shape. I had the impression that it is starting to soften up / splitting more hairs like my Omega Proraso.

Technique. Copying previous shave I have the impression that I am arriving at my forever pattern. Extended prep time is a keeper too. It’s not even that much longer than usual, but I have the illusion it assists in my shave. And not to mention I also believe my skin post shave is benefiting too judging from the aftershave sting. Where the cut came from is a mystery to me. I think I must have been distracted by something during the XTG pass. I'll have to pay attention tomorrow to avoid from opening it up again.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[lasta]

FYI, I take no responsibility for this "blue blade"!

Are you going all month on this?

 

[Guido75]

FYI, I take no responsibility for this "blue blade"!

Are you going all month on this?

Well…it was in your blade stash you gave me last year but I am not holding anything against you at all. Everything about this hobby addiction is YMMV so what works for one might not work for the other.

It would not be much of a challenge if I didn’t at least try to get 7 shaves out of it. And I have had worse blades for sure!

 

[Eric_75]

Date	05.02.2024
366 daily shaves	036/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle Rocca	Gillette Blue Blade (5)	Omega 10098
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Barrister + Mann Leviathan	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Consistency (details here)	Quality / My process
9.5/10 (Significantly Consistent)	6/10 (Cut?!)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.5/10 (DFS++)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Summary. Good shave with one of my favourite razors. The Rocca definitely kickstarted the week and delivered despite a middle of the road blade. The only thing detracting from the experience was a cut on my left cheek out of nowhere.

Razor and blade. Stropped the blade 50 laps on my Twinplex hoping that this will keep the blade going just a little longer. The razor definitely assisted. The razor should have been my advice to my younger self - stepping up from the KCG and following my research for more effectiveness: get a Rocca as second razor. It’s got everything going for it as far as I’m concerned. Honed the blade on my Allegro after the shave again.

Brush and lather. When John @JoWolf mentioned his brush routine I almost immediately took a comb and combed the hairs off my boar back into shape. I had the impression that it is starting to soften up / splitting more hairs like my Omega Proraso.

Technique. Copying previous shave I have the impression that I am arriving at my forever pattern. Extended prep time is a keeper too. It’s not even that much longer than usual, but I have the illusion it assists in my shave. And not to mention I also believe my skin post shave is benefiting too judging from the aftershave sting. Where the cut came from is a mystery to me. I think I must have been distracted by something during the XTG pass. I'll have to pay attention tomorrow to avoid from opening it up again.

Enjoy your shave!

Please heal quickly, Guido.

 

[JoWolf]

Date	05.02.2024
366 daily shaves	036/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle Rocca	Gillette Blue Blade (5)	Omega 10098
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Barrister + Mann Leviathan	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Consistency (details here)	Quality / My process
9.5/10 (Significantly Consistent)	6/10 (Cut?!)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.5/10 (DFS++)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Summary. Good shave with one of my favourite razors. The Rocca definitely kickstarted the week and delivered despite a middle of the road blade. The only thing detracting from the experience was a cut on my left cheek out of nowhere.

Razor and blade. Stropped the blade 50 laps on my Twinplex hoping that this will keep the blade going just a little longer. The razor definitely assisted. The razor should have been my advice to my younger self - stepping up from the KCG and following my research for more effectiveness: get a Rocca as second razor. It’s got everything going for it as far as I’m concerned. Honed the blade on my Allegro after the shave again.

Brush and lather. When John @JoWolf mentioned his brush routine I almost immediately took a comb and combed the hairs off my boar back into shape. I had the impression that it is starting to soften up / splitting more hairs like my Omega Proraso.

Technique. Copying previous shave I have the impression that I am arriving at my forever pattern. Extended prep time is a keeper too. It’s not even that much longer than usual, but I have the illusion it assists in my shave. And not to mention I also believe my skin post shave is benefiting too judging from the aftershave sting. Where the cut came from is a mystery to me. I think I must have been distracted by something during the XTG pass. I'll have to pay attention tomorrow to avoid from opening it up again.

Enjoy your shave!

Date	05.02.2024
366 daily shaves	036/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle Rocca	Gillette Blue Blade (5)	Omega 10098
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Barrister + Mann Leviathan	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Consistency (details here)	Quality / My process
9.5/10 (Significantly Consistent)	6/10 (Cut?!)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.5/10 (DFS++)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Summary. Good shave with one of my favourite razors. The Rocca definitely kickstarted the week and delivered despite a middle of the road blade. The only thing detracting from the experience was a cut on my left cheek out of nowhere.

Razor and blade. Stropped the blade 50 laps on my Twinplex hoping that this will keep the blade going just a little longer. The razor definitely assisted. The razor should have been my advice to my younger self - stepping up from the KCG and following my research for more effectiveness: get a Rocca as second razor. It’s got everything going for it as far as I’m concerned. Honed the blade on my Allegro after the shave again.

Brush and lather. When John @JoWolf mentioned his brush routine I almost immediately took a comb and combed the hairs off my boar back into shape. I had the impression that it is starting to soften up / splitting more hairs like my Omega Proraso.

Technique. Copying previous shave I have the impression that I am arriving at my forever pattern. Extended prep time is a keeper too. It’s not even that much longer than usual, but I have the illusion it assists in my shave. And not to mention I also believe my skin post shave is benefiting too judging from the aftershave sting. Where the cut came from is a mystery to me. I think I must have been distracted by something during the XTG pass. I'll have to pay attention tomorrow to avoid from opening it up again.

Enjoy your shave!

Summary. Good shave with one of my favourite razors. The Rocca definitely kickstarted the week and delivered despite a middle of the road blade. The only thing detracting from the experience was a cut on my left cheek out of nowhere.

I can’t help but think the “a middle of the road blade” was a large contributor to the cut on your left cheek Guido.

Razor and blade. Stropped the blade 50 laps on my Twinplex hoping that this will keep the blade going just a little longer. The razor definitely assisted. The razor should have been my advice to my younger self - stepping up from the KCG and following my research for more effectiveness: get a Rocca as second razor. It’s got everything going for it as far as I’m concerned. Honed the blade on my Allegro after the shave again.

I understand the challenge and satisfaction of running and using dressed blades to extend shaves on them. I do not understand running a blade or anything else for that matter to failure. By doing so there always is and will be consequences to accept.

The tires on our automobiles have wear bars built into them. When we reach the wear bars most of us replace the tires. We do not want to run them to failure. There are consequences. A Sunday drive and picnic could be ruined with a tire blowout approaching failure.

Guido you have data on blades used and should be able to accept their effectiveness and efficiency without running them to failure. I believe if you accepted this you would improve the comfort and efficiency of your shaves.

I hope I’m not overstepping with my thoughts or opinions Guido I hate to see you cut. Quick healing my friend.

 

[Phoenixkh]

While I admire those of you who can run blades a Lot longer than I can, I won’t be joining these extended blade runs.

I’ve been doing the one and done thing for a while now. At least I know my shaves will be consistent as far as that goes. If I have a poor shave, it will be on me.

 

[JoWolf]

While I admire those of you who can run blades a Lot longer than I can, I won’t be joining these extended blade runs.

I’ve been doing the one and done thing for a while now. At least I know my shaves will be consistent as far as that goes. If I have a poor shave, it will be on me.

I’m with you Kim. One and done removes variances in our shaves. The less variables in any process will streamline the process and improve efficiency. Improved shave efficiencies will always improve shave comfort.

 

[Guido75]

I hope I’m not overstepping with my thoughts or opinions Guido I hate to see you cut. Quick healing my friend.

Totally not John! Of all people especially not you. At all. I can take it. It is relatively hard to offend me.

And I am with you completely regarding the blade. And yes, although I usually don’t point fingers to something or someone else, I believe the blade is largely to blame for this morning. I believe it only happened one other time somewhere in 2022.

Sometimes lunacy just takes over. Haha! I pledge to dump the blade as soon as I hit 7 unless tomorrow is too mediocre. It will get dumped straightaway.

Cheers!

Guido

 

[Guido75]

Date	06.02.2024
366 daily shaves	037/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Greencult 2.0 II	Gillette Blue Blade (6)	Omega 10098
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Barrister + Mann Leviathan	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Consistency (details here)	Quality / My process
9.5/10 (Significantly Consistent)	6/10 (Cut?!)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (BBS-)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Summary. Against better judgement went with the Blue Blade again and this time in a more aggressive/blade forward razor even. It actually resulted in a very fine shave - contrary to my expectations.

Razor and blade. I was actually looking forward to shaving with this razor. I mentioned before it had similar specifications to the Blackbird and I am super curious to how it shaves in comparison. I wanted to give it a go earlier, but when the Game Changer arrives I just had to shave with that first! I did use the HD handle I got with the Game Changer as I really like that handle. Perhaps just a little more than the Barberpole handle actually. The knurling is more comfortable on the HD handle (my towels concur). Those are my thoughts at least for now. The GC2.II is a great razor and I am very glad I have the II plate rather than the III as effectiveness and blade exposure as in the sweet spot of smooth shaving for me (the GC1 is also very smooth despite the larger gap and much larger exposure, but it is also more blade picky). Even when paired with this Blue Blade the razor still makes the shave shine.

Brush and lather. Continuing my boar shaves to soften up this brush. And also because I like it very much. Great handle and great handling. Excellent lather every time so all good!

Technique. Straight copy of yesterday although I was more cautious on the XTG to avoid opening up that cut from yesterday. Lovely shave.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Jay21]

To complicate the issue and add to your RAD, RazorRock just released a hollow HD handle!

 

[blethenstrom]

To complicate the issue and add to your RAD, RazorRock just released a hollow HD handle!

I foresee an order in your future....