What did we learn from our last shaves?

Lol... Sure!

 

That using the Feather Super blades in the Cobra razor is as close as I can get to a straight razor shave without using a straight razor. Great shave.

 

nice! I felt the same way about the 2011 R41 and a Feather blade.

 

I've been sticking with the Astra SP so far but I think I might try the Polisilvers with my 2013 R41 next. I found them a little harsh in my slant, but we'll see how they do in The Beast.

 

The 2013 is considerably 'tamer' than the 2011, but still a great shaver!

 

Once I get more familiar with the 2013 I think I'll look into one of those 3D top caps.

 

I learned that many artisan shaving soaps are next to useless, except as bath soaps. They typically have nearly everything done right, but the lather disappears almost immediately once applied to my face. Having tried yet another artisan soap and been disappointed, it might make sense to stick with what I know works from now on. I think this poster on Badger & Blade put it best:

Now there are some very good artisan shaving soaps, but those are almost always made by folks who put in time and effort to verify their soaps work well. Often they would send out samples to a number of people, ask which of the samples worked best, and then come up with another batch of samples to try. By iterations, they eventually wind up with a great shaving soap. It is a shame more soapmakers don't take the time to do this.

 

I dare say you've uncovered the difference between dedicated artisans and artful entrepreneurs. IMHO A true artisan would never place his/her mark on an imperfect good other than a free R&D prototype...

 

That maybe razor burn has more to do with my skin care than with my technique.

6th shave with the R41 and first one with significant razor burn. My second shave I had a tiny bit, and it was on a day I used my Salicylic Acid. Today was my first shave after starting a benzoyl peroxide cream and I haven't used a moisturizer in a few days. Connection with dehydrated skin and razor burn?

 

Totally could be it. I was having irritation and weepers with razors that never do that to me. I don't normally moisturizer, but it's been -30
Celsius up here and my skin was very dry. Started moisturizing and the problem went away.

 

I learned that I can get seven great shaves out of a Feather Professional blade in my Mongoose. I've never gotten that many shaves out of a blade before. Based on my early experience with the Mongoose, I will probably change the blade once a week. I could probably shave even more with the blade I have in the razor, but I would like to continue my current run of nick-free shaves!

Maybe they are making those Feather blades better now than in 2014. Seems like I heard that someplace...

I absolutely second the findings above regarding skin moisturization and great shaves. Most often, I moisturize morning and night. I believe it helps me.

 

That Personna 74's are worthy of all the praise they receive.

 

Today I learned the blue Persona blades where not the problem. I have to be carful just under my jaw line as the hair there grows in a different direction. That is what was causing the burn, so now all the blades I have tried seem to work well without irritation.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I learned realized that I am just as excited about learning my second razor as I was the first time around.

 

That sometimes I shave and don't learn a darn thing

 

Sometimes those are the best shaves!

 

I agree with your assessment completely. Perhaps I should have used the more accurate term "cottage industry" instead of "artisan". Some artisans are cottage industry soapmakers, but not all cottage industry soapmakers are artisans. The artful entrepreneurs, as you noted, will claim to be artisans anyway, thus reducing "artisan" to a sales word, much like "natural", "organic", "green", etc. I am not sure if those soapmakers with iffy shaving soaps are deliberately being sloppy or careless. I don't believe so. It could be that they don't realize that simply using a shaving soap formula from the Internet does not automatically result in a serviceable product. That does not excuse the misuse of the title "artisan".

In all fairness, the problem is not limited to smaller operations. Herban Cowboy and NYR Men (Neil's Yard Remedies) also make otherwise stellar shaving soaps with the same Achilles heel. That this would be allowed to happen with a larger business is rather puzzling. Not to worry, checking online review can point us toward known-good soaps.

 

The journey and arriving at the destination can both be very important. IMHO, those are the best and most rewarding journeys. Such travels continue to be beneficial long after one arrives at the destination and the journey has ended.

 

And sometimes...not learning anything is just "not learning anything"

 

That atg causes irritation and not necessarily a closer shave.