The first part of this post is a cut & paste from my other thread, to keep this more as journal for myself....
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First DE Shave (evening of 6/18):
So I got my package in the mail yesterday and had time in the evening to embark on my very first DE shave. Used my EJ DE89811 Octagonal Chrome with an Astra SP, as well as the AOS Sandlewood preshave oil, shaving cream and after shave. The RazoRock Alum also saw its first action. Took a hot shower while the brush was soaking and then whipped up a fairly decent lather in a bowl.
So how did it go? I am convinced that having watched all the great videos from Mantic and Geofatboy, as well as the advice soaked up here, saved me from re-enacting a scene from Jack the Ripper. That said, it was not without some bloodshed as I saw red in two spots: 1) In the long awaited duel of EJ DE89811 vs small pimple, the EJ won by slicing that sucker of cleanly
and 2) I set the razor a bit too high right under my lower lip and managed to nick myself there. Other than that, I did not want to overdo on the first try and only did three passes (wtg, wtg, xtg). The result was acceptable, but clearly my technique has too improve quite a bit to get as close a shave as I have gotten with my cartridge over the last week or so. Much of that likely has to do with me trying to be extra cautious not to add any pressure and not wanting to go xtg yet, which I do with the cartridge. Putting on the Alum after rinsing definitely told me that I irritated the skin in a bunch of places, but actually felt nice in a strange sort of way 
All in all, I would say a decent first effort with much room for improvement as I improve technique and confidence in using this new tool.
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Second DE Shave (moring of 6/20)
Went at it again this morning, same prep and same Astra SP blade. First off, I have to say that I really love that AOS stuff. It is sooo easy to get a nice lather with it, even for total newb like me, plus I like the scent and how it leaves my skin nice (except the parts where I screw up
).
Second shave went better, no blood loss whatsoever. Certainly no BBS, but presentable enough for work. Not as close as with cartridge, similar to a quick electric shave in closeness. Did three passes again (wtg, xtg, xtg other direction). I find that there are more rough patches than with other shaving methods before, hopefully this is just a product of my face getting used to DE shaving and my starter technique. On the plus side, no irritation on face, but neck is another story. Applied alum after the shave and let it sit while I cleaned up the area. About half way through, I start feeling a burning sensation on my nect and about 30 seconds later that area is as red as the English fans faces will on Sunday after they loose to Italy
. I washed off the alum and put AOS aftershave on. About 30 minutes later, the neck is close to normal color again, but clearly shows some irritation.
It is now after lunch time and I start to feel the whiskers coming back strong. So again not a bad newbie effort and it is definly a much more enjoyable way to shave, even if the ultimate results are somewhat lacking at this point. I will probably do one more shave with the same blade, and then maybe try one of the Gillette 7 o'clock blues next.
Comments and suggestions are very much welcome.
Cheers!
*****************************
First DE Shave (evening of 6/18):
So I got my package in the mail yesterday and had time in the evening to embark on my very first DE shave. Used my EJ DE89811 Octagonal Chrome with an Astra SP, as well as the AOS Sandlewood preshave oil, shaving cream and after shave. The RazoRock Alum also saw its first action. Took a hot shower while the brush was soaking and then whipped up a fairly decent lather in a bowl.
So how did it go? I am convinced that having watched all the great videos from Mantic and Geofatboy, as well as the advice soaked up here, saved me from re-enacting a scene from Jack the Ripper. That said, it was not without some bloodshed as I saw red in two spots: 1) In the long awaited duel of EJ DE89811 vs small pimple, the EJ won by slicing that sucker of cleanly
and 2) I set the razor a bit too high right under my lower lip and managed to nick myself there. Other than that, I did not want to overdo on the first try and only did three passes (wtg, wtg, xtg). The result was acceptable, but clearly my technique has too improve quite a bit to get as close a shave as I have gotten with my cartridge over the last week or so. Much of that likely has to do with me trying to be extra cautious not to add any pressure and not wanting to go xtg yet, which I do with the cartridge. Putting on the Alum after rinsing definitely told me that I irritated the skin in a bunch of places, but actually felt nice in a strange sort of way All in all, I would say a decent first effort with much room for improvement as I improve technique and confidence in using this new tool.
***********************************
Second DE Shave (moring of 6/20)
Went at it again this morning, same prep and same Astra SP blade. First off, I have to say that I really love that AOS stuff. It is sooo easy to get a nice lather with it, even for total newb like me, plus I like the scent and how it leaves my skin nice (except the parts where I screw up
).Second shave went better, no blood loss whatsoever. Certainly no BBS, but presentable enough for work. Not as close as with cartridge, similar to a quick electric shave in closeness. Did three passes again (wtg, xtg, xtg other direction). I find that there are more rough patches than with other shaving methods before, hopefully this is just a product of my face getting used to DE shaving and my starter technique. On the plus side, no irritation on face, but neck is another story. Applied alum after the shave and let it sit while I cleaned up the area. About half way through, I start feeling a burning sensation on my nect and about 30 seconds later that area is as red as the English fans faces will on Sunday after they loose to Italy
. I washed off the alum and put AOS aftershave on. About 30 minutes later, the neck is close to normal color again, but clearly shows some irritation. It is now after lunch time and I start to feel the whiskers coming back strong. So again not a bad newbie effort and it is definly a much more enjoyable way to shave, even if the ultimate results are somewhat lacking at this point. I will probably do one more shave with the same blade, and then maybe try one of the Gillette 7 o'clock blues next.
Comments and suggestions are very much welcome.
Cheers!
