I rub a wet hand across my face to check on how good the pass was a beard reduction. As others have said, It's your shave so do what works for you.
I use blades for three and out then toss them. Could eke out more, but "Not for me". I like the second shave on most blades better than the first. Smooths them out, but still sharp. It depends on how wet my lather is whether or not I rinse between passes. I enjoy an ice cold rinse in between, but if I think my lather is on the verge of too wet, I will skip it. Likewise, if my lather needs a little more water in it, a little water from a rinse only helps.
This was the first time I added water before the final pass. I think I was a little rougher during the second pass with it. Could just be that the thicker AOS lather was a little too dry but the blade did slide nicely. Face felt a little like the soap was drying. Adding water before the final pass made it feel nice like the first pass. Thanks for the suggestion. Will need to see if I feel the need with TOBS and Stirling. the Stirling is due to come in today!!
I personally do a full rinse in between my passes, leaving my face wet just as on my first lather. This is very a YMMV issue, though, so feel free to find what works for you.
Remember that Stirling is THIRSTY soap. When it looks like it is ready, it isn't. You have to keep working in water until it is shiny glossy.
Focus Shave #47: -Kai Captain -Maggard 22mm Black Fiber -Stirling Black Ice Soap and Splash -M-Bomb and Menthol Crystals I gave myself a nick today, putting a slight damper on what was probably the best shave I've had since starting this. I have been working my right hand in a little more in a couple of spots that are tough with my left. Got myself cleaning up.
Got a little foamy with the lather today eh, Jared? How do you like that knot? I think it is the same knot thats in the Satin Tip (Which I love) and I'm thinking of putting one in a vintage restore.
I had to work it a little more than usual, and there was way too much soap. I wanted to add some M bomb so I put a smear off of that stick into my bowl. It smeared WAY too much into those grooves. By the time it was all worked out of there, it looked like someone had thrown a box of tide into the washing machine. The knot is pretty okay. I think it is the same fiber as Muhle's v1 black hair. It is a little bit springier than a plissoft, but it does a very good job. I wouldn't shy away from it.
Wow Andrew, thanks for taking the time to look. Very much appreciated. Interesting read on that thread is that Rod mentioned a common ingredient in his SDM and Sandalwoods. The only other soap that fried me was a Sandalwood (AoS). Haven't tried the Stirling Sandalwood -and now I won't-, too many good scents by Stirling to worry about not using 2. SWMBO wanted me to order the Nag Champa. Will have to cross that one off the list as well, I would imagine. I did rub some SDM on my wrist last night. It was a great suggestion yesterday. I
My wife narrowed it down to the case she bought me and the one that Adam has. I like the look of the one from Flaquito as well.
Whoops, hit post too soon... was going to say the SDM felt like a 'burn' on my wrist. Almost like a menthol feel. No redness, however. When combined with raking steel over my neck three times...different story!
February 13 (Monday) - Fatboy Focus Gillette Fatboy on 4 PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground carbon (40) "Old Faithful" - 1980s nameless drugstore boar brush The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap ) Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original Astringent The Fatboy on 4 was quite comfortable to use, but the shave result was not good. I did my usual diagonal crisscross passes with some cleanup but ended up with a CCS at best. The PAL blade today seemed just to scrape across the stubble as much as it cut it. Nice sound; not much action. I honed the blade in the Stanford 5 - Second Sharpener after my shave. I would have anyway as this was the 5th shave since the last touchup but the blade very definitely needed it this time. And not because it was rough this time but because it seems to be dulling rapidly. I'm not going to count the blade out again just yet, but it really does seem to be on its last legs this time. Everything else performed up to standard. The Eternal Tub now has the plastic bottom showing in the middle in an area the size of a quarter, so I suspect it may not last much longer than the PAL blade. I shall have to do a special commemorative post in their honour when they depart for that Eternal Shave Den in the sky. Hope this is the start of a great week for the entire Crew!
Will do. I know I will not be able to wait and tomorrow will be my first try I expect. thanks for the head's up.
YES!! That's how I have been feeling. Good sounds but not much action but for me it has been a 3 day old Wilkinson Classic (black case/white letters) and the Merkur SPs. For me 3 days and so far It has to go. Day 4 is tough and day 5 would be horrific. We will see if I can get a longer lasting blade in my sample pack and a better shaving one too.
Great collage, Jared. The Black Ice and/or Glacial Obsidian have me intrigued, but I have not ordered either. How strong is the licorice scent?
