Hey Keith! It's been awhile since you made an appearance and showed your awesome shave gear. Hope everything is well with you. Don't be such a stranger. Lol! Take care.
Okay, so I am actually enjoying my shave now. I shaved after only one (1) day, and historically I have been an every other day shaver because of the nicks, redness, irritation, clogging, and pulling/tugging. Shaving was a chore that for years I have dreaded. Today, I shaved after only 24 hours because I actually WANTED to shave! The last time I enjoyed shaving was around 18 years ago around my 21th birthday! My electric razor broke, and I had a Gillette Mach 3 that had been collecting dust since my 18th birthday. Compared to the electric, it was so much better by an order of magnitude. 1 Day Growth Stirling Barber Shop Soap Synthetic Brush Derby Extra Blade (6th shave still no noticeable tugging) Stainless Steel smooth bowl about 4" in diameter Nivea Sensitive After-Shave Satisfaction 9/10 (only because I missed a few spots under my rear jaw-line and went back) Neck Irritation and bumps are SOLVED! Zero (0) Nicks or cuts! I have the perfect angle and know exactly how to get a great shave without any thought or appreciable effort. It is natural to me now shaving with a DE! I am finally getting the lathering down to make a great shave, too! While I would ideally make a bit more, this time it went better. What I did was load up the brush very heavy with the Stirling soap BEFORE moving to a bowl then I slowly added water and mixed it a LOT. I also splayed the brush a bit, too in the bowl. I would then apply it and squeeze the brush and scoop some up. Half way through my shave I made a bit more, but it took only 15 seconds vs having to make it 5 times. Thank you all very much
One thing I am going to suggest for Newbies. The VDH razor is amazing especially for the money. We as a group need to strongly urge them to get ANY blades other than the Van Der Hagen blades it comes with. Those were dull and maybe uneven; I don't know. All I know is they had a ton of drag, and back in 2016 cut me all up. I t was awful. The EXACT same razor today six years later with a Derby Extra run of the mill commonplace "cheap" blade is giving me the very best shaves I have ever experienced!
I agree that the VDH razor is a great starter razor for newbies. It was my first DE razor when I got away from disposable plastic razors. However, I didn't have a problem using their blades and got decent shaves with them. It's a ymmv thing. Again, congrats on a great step forward.
Hey guys. I had a bad day yesterday. I was diagnosed with SVT in my left leg. Both saphenous veins are totally plugged with clots from groin to ankle. I have a new 45 day regimen of blood thinners. By doctor was a little mortified to hear I like straight razors. I reassured her that I was on a 30day safety razor plan. Prayers appreciated! On a good note, I’m really liking this razor. I had a blood free BBS this morning. Great way to start my day. SOTD Stirling SS Razor (ST plate) Voskhod blade Ogallala Bay Rum Shave Stick T-400 Brush by Tom St.John’s Bay Rum AS Have fun!
Awesome setup and shave Brian. I will pray that your treatment of your thrombosis in your legs will be very effective. Take care.
10th July 2022. Shaving recipe for today. Prep: Warm shower:/Asda Tingly Mint & Tea Tree Shower Gel. Pre: Cold wet flannel to my face. Pears Transparent Bar Soap. Brush: Anbbas 24mm Tuxedo synthetic. Bowl Lather. Bowl : Home Bargains Stainless Steel Side Bowl. Lather: Palmolive Classic Shave Sticks. (grated) Blade: Personna Gem PTFE. (D4) Razor: Gem Featherweight. Post: Cold water face wash with brush squeezing's, Cold Water Face Rinse./ Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils.3 Menthol Crystals Mixed Together With 200ml of Care+Witch Hazel./P&G Old Spice ASL./Nivea Men Fresh Kick ASB. A relaxing Sunday morning shave. Everything in my shave set up worked together excellently this morning resulting in a wonderfully smooth 2 pass + pick ups comfortable shave with no errors to report. Finishing the shave off with a few small dollops of Nivea Men Fresh kick ASB. My face is feeling cool, smooth & smelling divine. Stay Safe, and enjoy your Sunday Ladies & Gentlemen.
It will be so nice to get back to my SE & DE razors! Cuts galore today! Back into it's box goes the DX! Alum bar made my face scream today so, not as god as yesterday. Nice lather from the Chiseled Face "Ghost Town Barber" and the "Classic Shaving" synthetic brush. Geo F Trumper calms the face well. Back to normal tomorrow and pleasant shaves. Shavettes are just to much for my liking. I want to enjoy my shaves and today, the joy was gone! I did the cleanup with the Star 1912 and got a little enjoyment. I have much easier razors to use than these shavettes are. Maybe once in a while when I want a challenge but, not every day. Plus, I have a ton of DE blades to use. No more shavettes for now!
Prayers for a complete recovery, Brian, and thankfulness for your care team. I experienced something similar a few years ago, and I took a blood thinner for 6 months. No problems since, but I take a few precautions now, and I'm more mindful of the symptoms. Take care, my friend.
