Mumblings of a once 20-year-old shaver

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 11/9/24:

Pre-Shave: None
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (2)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive

Song of the Shave: White Christmas by Bing Crosby

Rating: 8 DFS

5 days of growth to get through. We had Thursday and Friday off so I was letting it grow. Had a last minute thing come up so I had shave real quick. Had a real bad weeper on my chin that took forever to stop bleeding. Hoping for a better shave next time.

 

[thombrogan]

Please heal quickly

 

[Eric_75]

Had a real bad weeper on my chin that took forever to stop bleeding. Hoping for a better shave next time.

Heal up quickly.

 

[Goblin]

On the one hand, that sucks. Heal up fast.

On the other hand, a big weeper and 8 out 10 means the rest of the shave must have been GREAT!

 

[Letsgoalready]

On the one hand, that sucks. Heal up fast.

On the other hand, a big weeper and 8 out 10 means the rest of the shave must have been GREAT!

Oh for rushing and not having a ton of time, crazy smooth shave. Great lather and still got two passes in so all all around smooth

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 11/12/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Gentleman Jon Badger
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Balm

Song of the Shave: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Dean Martin

Rating: 9.5 CCS

I had shaved in the morning with my electric razor... it wasn't great! I forgot what shaving with it was like and I was not happy with the results, but due to time, it was my only option. So at night, I decided to fix that mistake with a proper shave. Soaked the brush and boiled about 2 liters of water for the sink. Came back and got a fresh blade. I noticed the water I had soaked my brush in was oddly grey, is that normal? Anyways, took my time 8~ minutes to build a great lather on my face. Shaving itself was like butter, WTH everywhere, XTG on my jaw and cheeks, ATG on my my sideburns and chin. Some buffing XTG on my jawline was the cherry on top as I got almost BBS. I don't feel like I've ever quite achieved a BBS and still think I have a long way to go till I do! But this was close. One little patch I only got with a WTG pass and that's the spot where I caught myself on the chin Saturday. Overall one of my best shaves and what a way to rebound. I've also loved the Nivea Sensitive Balm for the winter weather keeping my skin hydrated!

 

[JoWolf]

Yesterday’s shave 11/12/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Gentleman Jon Badger
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Balm

Song of the Shave: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Dean Martin

Rating: 9.5 CCS

I had shaved in the morning with my electric razor... it wasn't great! I forgot what shaving with it was like and I was not happy with the results, but due to time, it was my only option. So at night, I decided to fix that mistake with a proper shave. Soaked the brush and boiled about 2 liters of water for the sink. Came back and got a fresh blade. I noticed the water I had soaked my brush in was oddly grey, is that normal? Anyways, took my time 8~ minutes to build a great lather on my face. Shaving itself was like butter, WTH everywhere, XTG on my jaw and cheeks, ATG on my my sideburns and chin. Some buffing XTG on my jawline was the cherry on top as I got almost BBS. I don't feel like I've ever quite achieved a BBS and still think I have a long way to go till I do! But this was close. One little patch I only got with a WTG pass and that's the spot where I caught myself on the chin Saturday. Overall one of my best shaves and what a way to rebound. I've also loved the Nivea Sensitive Balm for the winter weather keeping my skin hydrated!

View attachment 1942993

had shaved in the morning with my electric razor... it wasn't great! I forgot what shaving with it was like and I was not happy with the results, but due to time, it was my only option.

Electric razors suck compared to a wet shave. They do have their use though. My electric shave performance changed night to day using this Freelette Pre & After Electric Shave. Available on Amazon

Amazon.ca

I noticed the water I had soaked my brush in was oddly grey, is that normal?

Definitely not normal. Use a good non clarifying hair shampoo and clean your brush. Sometimes it may take more than one go-around. The water needs to be clear, when soaking your brush. A good rinse out and a light toweling after use will keep your brush hair in correct order for use.

One little patch I only got with a WTG pass and that's the spot where I caught myself on the chin Saturday.

A good pre shave lotion or oil can enhance protection and assist in razor glide, for sensitive and troubled areas. Returning to a spot or buffing should never be done without lather reapplication.

I've also loved the Nivea Sensitive Balm for the winter weather keeping my skin hydrated!

Our skin is our largest organ and the easiest to care for. If you have sensitive or damaged skin areas a good night cream can nourish and aid in repairing your skin.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Electric razors suck compared to a wet shave. They do have their use though. My electric shave performance changed night to day using this Freelette Pre & After Electric Shave. Available on Amazon

Amazon.ca

Definitely not normal. Use a good non clarifying hair shampoo and clean your brush. Sometimes it may take more than one go-around. The water needs to be clear, when soaking your brush. A good rinse out and a light toweling after use will keep your brush hair in correct order for use.

A good pre shave lotion or oil can enhance protection and assist in razor glide, for sensitive and troubled areas. Returning to a spot or buffing should never be done without lather reapplication.

Our skin is our largest organ and the easiest to care for. If you have sensitive or damaged skin areas a good night cream can nourish and aid in repairing your skin.

Interesting, I just use a Phillips Norelco one blade and it's not bad but just not nearly as close. I'll give the brush a good wash, I rinse it and towel dry it after every use so I'm surprised it's gotten bad. I will sheepishly admit I didn't know a reapplication of lather was recommended for a second and or third pass. I just give the razor a good dunk in water and get a nice glide. I usually don't struggle with dry skin but since going to college I've gained 7500 feet of elevation so my skin is much drier in the winter months so I make sure to moisturize a lot more. Thank you for all of the kind advice!

 

[Letsgoalready]

I have a solid shampoo in the form of a puck... so I just loaded my brush as I would before any other shave, agitated it on my hand to really get it in there, rinsed and repeated 2 more times. After that, I rinsed it off real good. Soaked for 15 minutes and water was clear! Thanks @JoWolf !!!

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 11/13/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Gentleman Jon Badger
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Balm

Song of the Shave: Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots

Rating: 9 CCS

Cleaned my brush yesterday, and oddly made my brush more scratchy. Lather was okay today always room to grow. I've started going one and done with blades, I like that I get the closest shave each time. Might use the Boar brush tonight. I am flying home in 2 weeks, but not checking a bag, so I mailed some blades home! Overall a great shave, smooth and buttery. Didn't go too crazy so there is still some stubble ATG.

 

[JoWolf]

Yesterday’s shave 11/13/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Gentleman Jon Badger
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Balm

Song of the Shave: Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots

Rating: 9 CCS

Cleaned my brush yesterday, and oddly made my brush more scratchy. Lather was okay today always room to grow. I've started going one and done with blades, I like that I get the closest shave each time. Might use the Boar brush tonight. I am flying home in 2 weeks, but not checking a bag, so I mailed some blades home! Overall a great shave, smooth and buttery. Didn't go too crazy so there is still some stubble ATG.

View attachment 1943696

 

[JoWolf]

Cleaned my brush yesterday, and oddly made my brush more scratchy.

If any brush is scratchy it’s because the tip of the offending hairs are squared rather than rounded. A little extra time towelling the brush after use will wear those hairs into a more comfortable rounded profile. Boar brushes being notorious for this. Some hand lathering and assertive towelling between shaves can move a brush along to a more comfortable softness. In the case of boar brushes the towelling actually splits the hair end. That is why a fully broken boar with have that translucent colouring in the top third of the brushes bristles. It is very possible to get brush burn from a new boar brush. Never break in a stiff brush on your face. Your skin will thank you. Many boar users will spend a few weeks breaking in the boar hair with frequent hand lathering and assertive towelling to bring the brushes softness to their liking.

I've started going one and done with blades

Excellent shaves are about consistency, a one and done is an important part. Campaigning blades are a factor with many shavers. Any apex edge on any cutting instrument will be duller, obtuse, or less sharp after each use. Reusing that edge you are now using a less sharp blade. Many consider this a broken in edge providing more comfort. They are in fact using a blade where the apex has moved from an acute angle to an obtuse angle. They now must exert more pressure and more time to accomplish the cut through the same resistance. A sharp blade will cut through a resistance quicker than a duller blade. If your shave technique moves to using quick short strokes (as I do ) you can feel that resistance increasing or dropping off in blade speed. The reason I use Feathers which are the sharpest DE blades available. Sharp blades also force you to use A Lighter Touch otherwise you’ll cut yourself to ribbons. A softer touch is the bassi's of good skin comfort. Sorry for rattling on a pet peeve of mine. One last comment all those blade campaigners would never think of using a dull knife to slice their tomatoes.


My beautiful Zenith Boar B35-31x57mm Which I use exclusively.

You can easily see the split hairs. Great comfort, great softness.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Boy has it been a long week… finally will get a good shave tonight.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 11/21/24:

Pre-Shave: Splash of water on my face
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Song of the Shave: Baby it's Cold Outside by Frank Sinatra

Rating: 8 DFS

First shave in a few days, Shaved earlier in the week just didn't have time to post it. Touched up with a electric razor a few times. Showered in the morning so night shave had just a splash on the face for prep. Switched back to the boar last night and it is starting to break in well. Pretty good shave all around, one weeper on my chin in the same spot I always catch. Headed home next week so hopefully my dad has some blades lying around.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 11/24/24:

Pre-Shave: Splash of water on my face
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Song of the Shave: None

Rating: 8.5 DFS

Solid shave, one weeper on my chin. I won a PIF for some soaps and aftershaves from @tthoms so I am excited for that! Headed home tomorrow so I gotta pack up all of my shaving equipment, I got some VDH blades from Walmart to use back home ill make it work. Any tips for traveling?

 

[blethenstrom]

Any tips for traveling?

Unless you are flying with carry-on only, bring what you like.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Unless you are flying with carry-on only, bring what you like.

Carry-on only, ballin on a budget with the holidays.

 

[blethenstrom]

Carry-on only, ballin on a budget with the holidays.

Alright. This means at least here in the US. DO NOT BRING YOUR DE! Even one without blades. TSA has been known to confiscate empty DE and you have no say. Personally I use BIC Sensitive or a BIC Metal disposable razors for this purpose. They are single edge and fixed head so they are similar to a DE razor in that aspect, except for that you have to use some pressure since they are so light. If you are familiar with a cartridge or a disposable razor use that. I would try a shave or two with whatever you decide to use before you go so you know what you are dealing with.

I would see if you can get a travel tube for your brush or just get a travel brush. I use a Maggard Timberwolf 18mm synthetic. Yep it is small and not something I would use every day, but it does the job. I use a shave soap stick for travel and just face lather. I use an Arko stick in a twist up 2 oz container. Fits the sticks very well. You can also go lather less shave cream like Cremo or something like that and that eliminate the need for a brush.

Aftershave etc up to you, just make sure it is less than 100 ml. It is a pain to have to plan what to use for travel and the limitation, but it is what it is.

 

[Letsgoalready]

DO NOT BRING YOUR DE!

Thank you for the heads up, I was going to pack mine! Ill just have to steal my father's DE at home that he has collecting dust. He gave it a shot but went back to electric razors. I think it is one of the all in one kit razors but ill survive. Brush is going in a paper towel tube and soap is getting put in a bag.

 

[blethenstrom]

Thank you for the heads up, I was going to pack mine! Ill just have to steal my father's DE at home that he has collecting dust. He gave it a shot but went back to electric razors. I think it is one of the all in one kit razors but ill survive. Brush is going in a paper towel tube and soap is getting put in a bag.

You planning to buy some blades on the other end then?