My DE Adventures (aka Introduction)

I do realize, but it has to be keep somewhat in check because of budget constraints.

For example, I don't need another Badger Brush, but I really WANT the VDH Badger, partly because it is somewhat rare, and partly because it looks cool. lol. :happy102

Next on the agenda for this coming payday: TOBS Rose, and Lavender (hey it's on sale at shoeboxshavshop), additional TOBS samplers, more blades (ummm..because my small stock of 30 clearly isn't enough), and a Feather Portable (mostly because it is dirt cheap); actually two, as I am PIFing one to a newbie .

Does it ever end????

 

"Does it ever end????" You're kidding, right? I just got back from Europe and brought back so many soaps, soap sticks, and creams that I know I have a lifetime supply. My excuse was that everything was so cheap there. (I'm planning on trying one a day to see how they compare.) So what's the first thing I did when I got back to the States? Why, I looked on line to see what I missed! :ashamed001

 

The Shave for today:

Merkur 38C w/ Sharp blade. VDH deluxe soap, Omega Badger Brush, Aqua Velva Aftershave. Edge Infused Gel as pre-prep (just trying to use the last of the canned goo up).

I tried a second shave with the 7am blade from two days ago, and it just didn't feel right to me. Shave didn't seem as smooth as the first go with that blade, so I switched it for the Sharp.

The shave feels fairly close, and no weepers, or blood, and best of all no irritation on my lower neck.

This makes about my 10th DE shave, and I currently do two passes N-S, followed by a pass that is E-W on one side of my face, and W-E on the other. This is what feels best, and most natural for me.

I am getting really good shaves (probably not BBS), but surely an acceptable shave, and best yet, very little irritation.

 

Sounds like you're getting the hang of it really fast. Enjoy!

 

The Daily Shave

Second shave with the 1970's vintage Atra, with the Vintage blade.

-Edge "Infused" as pre-prep.
-Decided to try out the Williams Soap
-Omega Pure Badger Brush
-Atra razor with Atra cartridge (no lube strip)
-Aqua Velva Ice Blue Aftershave.

This was a very nice shave, the vintage Atra blade is still holding a nice edge. I really have to wonder what the point of Lube Strips is, since with good prep, and real shaving cream/ shaving soap, there seems to be zero need for this. As such the cartridge without the strip seems far superior compared to those with the strip (which in my case are overseas Gillette Vector blades).

As for the Williams, count me as not a fan. I am not huge on the lemony citronella smell. The resulting lather while plenty of it, also doesn't seem as lubricating as VDH Deluxe. I have not tried any other soaps, with which to compare it too.

I think maybe I will try a "superlather" for the first time tomorrow, and combine the Williams with some Unscented Kiss My Face.

That's the report for today, everybody have a great weekend!

 

The Daily Shave

So I ordered a Feather Portable from "pauldog". This is a very slick little razor, and in my opinion shaves nearly identical to my Gillette Ball End Tech.

Here was the setup for today:

-Feather Portable w/ 7am Blade
-Omega Badger Brush
-Williams super lathered with unscented Kiss My Face
-Edge "Infused" as pre-prep.
-Gillette Fusion After Shave Balm.

I had a very good shave, but I have determined that the 7am blades are only good for one shave, and then they start to pull, and result in an uncomfortable shave.

I found the same to be true for the "Sharp" blades.

Thus far, my favorite blade is the Derby.

I also have Red IP's, Feathers, Merkur and the Family Dollar store brand to try out.

 

Here was the shave for today:

-Gillette Ball End Tech, with 7am blade
-Omega Pure Badger Brush
-TOBS St. James
-Gillette Series Sensitive ASB

A wonderful close shave today. I had a small sample of 7am blades that came with my Merkur 38R, and have determined they are one shave blades. This is the last of them. Yay!

I decided to try out my VDH Boar brush for old times sake (if old times can be considered one month ago), it's performance is very lackluster compared to my Omega Badger, so I tossed it to the side, and used my Omega instead!!

I am considering adding this boar brush to my order from Bullgoose Shaving, that I am placing tomorrow, what do you think?

http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/vuvspubrshbr.html

In addition to that brush possibly, I am ordering TOBS St. James, TOBS Lavender, 4 packs of Derby blades (my favorite so far) 2 packs of Astra, 2 packs of Lord Super, and a single razor/single brush stand.

 

Today was my first shave with my just received Red Tip Superspeed.

The Setup:

-Dove Conditioner as pre-prep.
-Omega Badger Brush/ Vulfix Boar
-VDH Select
-Merkur/ Derby Blade
-Gillette Red Tip Superspeed
-Gillette Series Sensitive ASB

My red tip superspeed showed up yesterday, and I was anxious to give it a whirl. I have two Merkur blades I received as part of a sampler with a different razor I acquired. I decided to give them a try to see, if they are as bad as everyone says.

I suffered through the first pass with the Merkur, and then switched it for my current favorite: a derby blade. The Merkur blade pulled, and tugged on the first pass, as if it were a blade at the end of it's life!! ACK!!

Both of the Merkur blades went promptly into the trash!

I didn't notice any difference between the VDH select, and the VDH Deluxe that I have been using. Performance seems very similar.

Overall, the shave was very nice, but I did get a pretty nice gash on my upper lip, from be a little too sloppy, and shaving at too much of an angle across my lip. Not nearly as bad, as the similar gash I got yesterday when I tired out a Schick Injector for the first time, but hey, I am still learning!

As for the Vulfix boar, I initially got almost no lather out of it, so I switched to the Omega badger brush, which has never failed me. The Vulfix was brand new in a shipment yesterday from Bullgoose. I went back to try it some more, and noticed that it performs far better if I use my fingers to push the bristles into a fan shape.

 

Is S-N considered Against the Grain?

Just a quick question, but is S-N usually considered ATG for a normal pattern of beard growth?

My current shave is the following:

1st pass: N-S on entire face.
2nd pass: N-S on entire face.
3rd pass: W-E on the left side of my face, and E-W on the right side of my face. (or put simply nose to ear). lol.

After the third pass, I check for any missed spots, and do just minor touch ups on those areas.

Thus far this has been giving me very good results.

Any suggestions for improvement? Would the S-N pass add anything to my shave?

 

Yup.

 

It really depends on your beard growth pattern and is too individual to make a global statement.

For me, S to N above my jawline is ATG but S to N below is WTG...does that make sense?

Sounds silly but what helped me understand the hair growth patterns of my face was to draw a crude picture (i am definitely not an artist) and then use arrows to note the direction of hair growth. Run your the back of your finger against your face in different directions and different parts...when you feel it prickly on your finger the direction you are going is ATG...

 

What's "normal" pattern of hair growth? Against the grain is just that - going against (opposite direction of) the grain of hair growth. If you hair grows straight down, then yes ATG would go S-N. If your hair grows at an angle, then ATG would be against that angle...

As for adding anything to your shave, it'll probably give you the BBS feeling, but could also add to burn or irritation if you're not careful.

A suggestion - since you're already doing 3 passes plus some touch up, try changing pass 2 from WTG to XTG in one direction, then pass 3 XTG in the opposite direction. Try that for a while and see how your shaves differ. Then if you feel comfortable with that, throw in the ATG. If that works for you, maybe try changing pass 3 to the ATG pass and see how that works out. In the end, it's what ever works for you, though...

 

Shaving sticks? What are those? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks,
Tom

 

Is shaving soap in the form of a stick.Its really easy to use and theyre the best soaps!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFNuV7vxZvA
in tha video Mantic uses a shavestick

 

Basically they are shave soaps in stick form. Some people like that there Teiste guy prefer them over soap pucks. Teiste has a good thread about Spanish sticks with pictures right here.

 

I just started using shave sticks and while, yes, they are shave soap in stick form I find using them a different experience than using a regular puck of soap. (Not better or worse, just different.) It adds variety into the morning shave routine.

 

Welcome !

Welcome aboard,enjoy. All I can add is, so it begins !

 

Ah, I see... thanks! Something else to try!

Cheers,
Tom