One doesn't conquer the spike point, one eludes the spike point. I learned to SR shave with a spike-pointed Böker so I'm all too familiar with pitfalls of a wandering attention span when using one. There's no experience like a face-slicing experience to sharpen your skills!
To help find the right angle when riding the cap, here is the method I use: Turn off music, water, and the fan in the bathroom so you can hear. Put the razor at the top of your cheek with the handle at a 90 degree angle. As you start the downward pass, pull the handle downward until it is cutting whiskers and listen to the sound of the blade. It takes a few strokes, but you will get a good feel for a clean cut, and be able to hear what that sounds like. As you keep shaving, try and keep the sound/feel of that cut in mind, and mimic it on your chin and neck. Remember that the angle and sound will be slightly different with every razor, and to a lesser extent every blade/ razor combo. Any time I use a new razor I find the angle this way for my WTG pass. By the time I am ready to start an XTG or ATG pass, I have an idea of the angle, although the sound might be a little different. This method works with DE, SE, shavettes, and straights. It even worked with a DE blade stapled to two popsicle sticks. If you keep on it this month, my guess is you will have it down by the end of your focus.
August 17, 2016: Adjustable August Razor: M3 Schick Adjustable (5) Blade: Chick (2) Brush: VdH Boar Soap: Williams Day 2 with the Schick Adjustable and day 2 of the rookie mistakes. On a whim, I decided to go with Williams since it is Wednesday. Unfortunately, even though I have had good shaves with this soap, every time I don't use it for a while, I make some stupid mistake with the hydration. This time, I got lots of lather, but not a lot of slickness. For the most part, this was hidden by the mildness of the razor. That is, right until the moment when I hit a spot where the razor seemed to stick to my face and I felt the bite of the blade. Twice, actually. Two small weepers which closed quickly with the Alum marring an otherwise excellent shave. I have to admit that I am liking this razor; enough so that I find myself considering picking up some of the Japanese Twin blades for the (almost) ultimate experience. Hoping that the rest of you are having a good day...
You are making some good progress. Most days, I shoot for a CCS to DFS level, as this works well for me. I find that chasing the baby too much can lead to some irritation, so I save that for rare occasions. Your shave this morning sounds like what I would rate as a very good shave!
August Straight Razor Focus I hit another milestone today. This was the first BBS with a razor I honed. It is so satisfying that I don't see myself coming back from the Dark Side. Yes, I will occasionally shave with a safety razor, but I'm a straight razor shaver at heart. SOTD Route 66 Ghost Town Wolf Whiskers Brush Giesen & Forsthoff Adoration Alum Lucky Tiger Fine Fresh Vetiver AS Have fun!
We got another one!! Once you get to a certain point, it's hard to go back. The hardest part for me after I realized this was starting to let go of my safety razors. I still haven't actually done this.
August Adjustable Rule, mostly... LPL Le Savon du Barbier Omega Pro #248 Gillette '59 @7 & Astra SP Alum / Avon Leather AS The downside to having several soaps, some get pushed to the back of the pile. Big fan of tallows, and this one works every time. Kind of like a big boar brush and trusty model #195. Lost track how many shaves I've gotten from the blade. When it tugs, out it goes. One nick on my chin that stopped leaking while I was still in lather. Little bit of noise from the alum and I'm OK with that. First time I recall using this new-to-me AS. Scent is just like you'd think - putting on a jacket after saddle soap and leather conditioner. When does fall get here?
Wednesday Shave Brush- AOS Fine Badger Razor- Schick Adjustable (5) Blade- Schick Twin Soap- Route 66 Barbershop Hop Post Care- Crystal Alum Thayers Witch Hazel Stirling Barbershop First shave with the Schick Adjustable on pass around from @twhite and I got an excellent shave. This was also my first time using a twin blade and does it ever perform great. Three passes and I'm dolphin smooth. I'm really liking this badger brush and it lathered the Route 66 soap beautifully. Not even a whisper from the alum and the Stirling Barbershop aftershave started my day off right. Have a great day folks!
If i recall correctly you have a Eclipse Red Ring and Barbasol Floating Head ... DIBS!!! Do you have a Darwin too ?
Great picture. I love Avon Leather! I just recently discovered it myself, and it has become one of my favorites.
For whatever reason, I have found some renewed joy in using safety razors again. It was the Barbasol Floating Head that started me back down this trail. I won't give straights, though. I definitely plan on getting back to them somewhat quickly. Unfortunately, this whole scenario made me realize that I have too many razors in general. I will have to weed out a a few until I have just the ones I really enjoy using left. I am hoping this is somewhere in the 12 - 24 range, which is actually a pretty good cut down at this point.
