I hope so too, Clint! I don't consider myself to have overly sensitive skin, usually when I have irritation it is a technique thing. Does this type of reaction to a specific soap/ingredient happen a lot to other folks?

I used to occasionally get irritation on my neck and under my jaw a lot like you are describing. It would hurt and burn for hours, and was very red and pink. My shaves were always comfortable, but it all went away when I really focused on riding the cap. You may watch your angle under there to see if that helps.

Beautiful, Doug! Our storms have passed and now we are even melting a bit. Hope your storm isn't too bad.

Thanks for the suggestion! I do try to ride the cap. I'm wondering now, as well, about the blades. I say that as I ordered Polsilvers after enjoying 2 of them in my original blade sampler I got when I started. I was irritated all the time then as my technique was just developing. I noticed the smooth shave with the blade at the time. I have had 2 irritated shaves out of 3 with it now, but chalked the first up to the fact that I was outside in -19 celcius for an hour right before shower/shave and used a new soap for the first time today. Will try same blade with different soap tomorrow. I guess that's why it is called a focus!

We should be okay Clint. I have back up food, water and a generator hooked up to a transfer panel to provide power should it go out. The generator will run most important devices like the water pump, some lights, fridge, freezer etc.

Sounds good Jason. You never know. We prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Take some of the soap and put it on the inside of your arm. Leave it there awhile. If it was a reaction to the soap you should see a skin reaction on your arm.

Like a true Marine. Pray for the best and prepare for the worst.

Will do so!

I've always said I might well buy another Chiseled Face-but not from its own website. The site isn't fully to blame, but it made it impossible for me to change to a new password.

With the exception of ordering from Stirling, I buy most of my stuff from Maggards. It just lets me add incidentals and samples and whatnot. Plus I really like doing business with them.

I'm in with the M boys. Someone made the same suggestion when I discussed the website issue before. Bet it was you .

Maggards is one of my favorite online shops. Great selection, competitive prices and quick shipping.

Feb 9,10,11, and 12 report
all using
Merkur 34C HD / Wilkinson Classic blade
Aos $30 Pure Badger Brush
AoS Pre and Post shave

Feb 9th: first day where blade did not feel quite right. I had put the blade in the razor for its first use on Sunday and this was Shave #5. I only did a 2 pass shave: WTG and XTG but it did not feel right. The blade felt more like it was sliding over the hair than it felt like it was cutting it. I had the sensation that I wanted to apply more pressure but resisted. I was home due to the snow and left it at 2 passes instead of the usual 3. Was a little bloody and irritated AND still had stubble. AOS Sandalwood Cream was used

Feb 10th: First experience with a dull blade. Having never experienced a truly dull DE blade, I had to learn this one the hard way. I did a 3 pass: WTG, XTG and ATG. Got some blood, I guess weepers and no cuts but the hair just would not get cut. I never felt any tugging. My hair seemed to just lay down under it. I tried focusing on spots and not much. I think this blade is only good for 4 saves max. good enough shave for home but still felt stubble. AOS crem was used. When I put the Alum on, I thought I was doused in gasoline and lit on fire. Worst alum experience to date.

Feb 11th - New blade: Put a new blade in and unfortunately, my technique must have changed a bit due to the worn out blade. I cut myself for the first time pretty good. Styptic pencil to the rescue. I was rushing and the lather was a bit more watery than I would like. Cut on the chin below the lip. Bled pretty good. Pencil was the only thing to stop it. 3 Pass shave with additional touch ups Mistake: never go over an area without lather and rushing only makes it look like you have strawberry shaving cream on your face. Yes. it bled enough to tint the cream on the subsequent passes. The corner of the blade got me. DFS- I would say. This day, I used TOBS Sandalwood. Alum was strongly tingly.

Feb 12th: 5+ pass day: Looking for that BBS, I focused on only touching where lather was and on angle. I find the Wilkinson Classic to be better the second day and it was and it wasn't. The first blade cut a BBS shave on 3 passes. This time, I stopped counting when I had done 5. I had done many more after. I did use a thicker batch of AoS Sandalwood which did add better protection than earlier uses. I think TOBS is easier to tune the lather but AOS can do fine. I wasn't irritated to my surprise. The blade just did not have that really sharp close cut the first blade had. The blade just was different. I had to pass even ATG several times to get certain spots. On a single pass, I would even re-lather not admitting defeat and touch up a spot and change the angle in hopes I had it wrong and that was why I was not getting the hair cut. No angle would cut the hair close, it seems. In the end, I was BBS everywhere except my upper lip and chin. I had to hit them with the electric. I went back to my crutch. The upper lip and chin was shaved multiple times too but I avoided ATG. I did do XTG both directions and a slight ATG - think XTG with an upward trend. It was the closest I could get to ATG. Alum had light tingle and only a few brighter spots. I expected worse after having dragged the blade over my face so many times. All others shaves were done after a hot shower. This one was only after a face wash and application of hot water several times.

Question: any suggestions on how to shave Upper lip and chin better? I did shorter strokes, lots of lather multiple times and XTG both directions and so far, Hair 1, razor 0. I know I asked this before but I might have missed something. Is a BBS chin and upper lip only achievable by doing an ATG?


The AOS Sandalwood was a nice scent but I am just about out of a medium starter kit that I purchased on Dec 22nd. For 1.5 oz of cream, it has lasted a rather long time. With the scent and price of TOBS being cheaper and better, AOS might no longer be in my future. Also, I have 9 Stirling sample soaps on the way (Sandalwood, Vanilla Sandalwood, Baker St, Dunshire, Exec. Man, Piacenza, Tuscany, Sharp Dressed Man and Pharaoh's Creamsicle), I might be out of the market for a while. I know for many of you here, 10 soaps/creams is nothing but I have limited space but you never know!! I would like to try some more TOBS or Barrister and Mann but their samples are just so small (1/4 oz) for the price. I could try Stirling and probably be happy for a very long time especially since they have so many scents and ~1/5 sized samples (1.1 oz) that will take a while to use up.

Difference between a Rule and a Focus. Changing one variable to see how it affects the results. For folks with sensitivities avoiding irritants is trial and error until you identify the offending factor. So keeping the razor & brand of blade the same but trying different soaps can improve your results. At this point your Technique is still developing. You do things. Some hurt so try not to do those things.

I know I seem to repeat the same line over and over: "Watch your angle and really ride the cap." But, I have found this is the best way to get a good shave. The razor is more efficient at cutting when riding the cap, so it is more comfortable and will get you smoother.

On the mustache, I actually do my first pass on one side starting at the middle of my lip and going out towards the corner of my mouth. I repeat for the other side. On my second pass, I start at the corner of my mouth and shave towards the middle. The razor is going across my face in both cases.

Will have to try this. For the way my upper lip grows, it would be a mixture of with the grain and across the grain if I follow what you do. Thanks for the tip.

That's the way it works for me. It has been the easiest way for me to get a smooth mustache.

This is what I do as well.

I have been going north to south on the first pass followed by center out on following. I tried out to center and disliked it almost as much as ATG. Will give your method a go in the morning.

Thanks