So my new EJ DE89 arrived today along with a new Omega boar brush, Omega Soap and a variety of blades. I choose to try the Astra Stainless blue as my first. Being a little anxious like a kid on Christmas I obviously dove right in. So I did a hot towel to moisten the skin and soften the hair. I tried the "dry" method of applying soap to my face. Lather build was good, in all honesty I could have worked the lather forever that's how good it felt. After all said and done took the Edwin Jagger to my face for the first time. I kept my strokes short, rinsed it after ever stroke and completed my shave. I did notice the soap drying out on my face towards the end. The shave felt good until I decided to re-lather and redo the shave as I ofter do with my disposable. I felt the irritation on my neck immediately and stopped. So overall it was good, it doesn't feel as close as I'd like, but I'm also use to running the disposable against the grain and it was my first time. My skin feels fabulous, generally after a shave it feels stretched and very dry, I can honestly say my skin feels great after the shave. I definitely think some work is required on technique but I'm sure it will all come together in good time.
and it only gets better. Lather over a wet face, that's why it is called wet shaving. That will also keep the lather from drying out on your face. Rince after your first pass and leave your face wet for the next relather. I'm sure you'll find your shave much better.
Congratulations! The cool thing about wet shaving is that you get to practice again, really soon! Keep up the good work and the enthusiasm!
Congratulations, don't worry too much about your neck I've been wet shaving for a year and I rarely get no irritation on my neck it's just a hard place to get the blade angle correct
Good start. More moisture is needed in the cream. You can apply water as a gentle splash before lathering as well.
Congratulations!! Sounds like you are off to a great start. There is no turning back now and that is a good thing :wave:
Well today was Day 2. Started with a shower first, I did remember to wet my face before lathering this time!! Small short strokes like last time and everything went well. I'm still trying to get use to not going against the grain, I will assume the shave will get closer and feel better with time. Overall I'm really enjoying this!
Are you doing a second pass against the grain? That's what I do, and that's my "understanding" of how it should be done too. I've had great success in the month or so since I started. I only shave my neck and just above my cheeks (I have a beard). So I shave with the grain on my neck, up to the bottom of my beard. I re-lather and shave against the grain down towards my neck. My hair grows in weird directions though, so I'm working towards a 3rd pass now (I believe the Feather blades will allow me to do that).
You have to do what works for you, but most folks make the second pass across the grain, third pass against. Advice I have heard for those who can't go aginst the grain is to make your first pass WTG, second pass at 45 degrees, thn another 45 degree pass in the other direction, like an X.
Congratulations with your shave. Good job to stop when you felt the irritation, best not make it worse. Just remember to use a light touch, don't put pressure on the razor lime you would with a disposable razor.
Congrats on a great start. As your technique improves, the results will get better. It usually takes me 3 passes to get a really close shave.
