What did we learn from our last shaves?

That a wide lather bowl makes a BIG (pun intended) difference.

I started out bowl lathering for the first 3 or 4 months with sub-par results. I was using a Conk lather bowl and a few different brushes, all with similar results. After switching to head lathering for a couple of weeks, my lather problems just went away. No more issues really. I've always had bouts of folliculitis, but the base 6 months have been particularly bad. My dermatologist asked me to try using Aveeno on my head for a while, so I haven't been able to head lather. I'm still using my soaps for my face, but I keep a circle beard, which makes face lathering a challenge. I decided I wanted to try bowl lathering again, so I stopped by good will and found a great ceramic bowl set. Not sure what the original intent was, but they have some Chinese characters embossed on the bottom. One is a wide, flat bowl, similar in shape and size to the Captain's Choice bowls. The other is a little narrower and taller with a lid. Perfect for melting my glycerine soaps down into.

I used the bowl for a test lather with my Mama Bear's soap last night with great results. Tried it again this morning with a Conk soap and had great lather again. I'll come back and post some pics this weekend.

 

I was reminded that regardless of price point - Arko is a fantastic soap.

 

I still find it amazing how YMMV pretty much all shaving items can be. To me, the only difference between Arko and Williams is that Arko lathers easier. The more I used both of them the more I got the Citronella scent, and they both dried out my skin really badly.

 

Yeah, YMMV is pretty odd to me as well.
Arko, as an example, lathers super easy and provides some of THE slickest and most protective lather I've ever seen.
Maybe it's all in the water - SF water is soft like cotton.

 

I learned I'm glad for this forum. Put my Red Tip into service remembering a couple posts saying they were somewhat aggressive. Was careful to take my time and concern myself with my technique. Glad I listened. Only one minor nick and a darn close shave. Thanks all.

 

Well this has been learned over several different shaves since I've switched to DEs and SRs but alcohol can be great or bad before a shave. I've cut myself pretty bad before because I just got careless but other times I've had really amazing shaves because my hand is more relaxed and I'm not focusing on trying to get the best shave.

 

This must also be a YMMV type thing. There is no way in Hades I would take a straight near my face or neck after I started drinking. I not known for my moderation when it comes to booze, so that might also be a factor as well...

 

Yeah....I wouldn't advise it lol but it's one of those things that just happens sometimes. The weird part is I cut myself really bad with a DE once while shaving after drinking but I haven't done anymore damage to myself with a straight then I wouldn't have normally without drinking beforehand. My guess is that in the back of my mind no matter if I've consumed alcohol or not I respect a straight whereas a DE I figured what's the worst that could happen.

Again I don't recommend getting hammered then shaving but a couple drinks could relax your mind and muscles for the better

 

Yet!

 

That while the Muhle R41 is an AMAZING razor that will give you a two pass BBS shave, it's also a pit bull that must constantly be supervised while against your face! Oh... and that styptic powder is mandatory!

 

Reminded how the Cadet TTO OC is a fantastic razor. Great razor for a reasonable price.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I learned that not leaning toward the mirror for a close look, but rather simply trusting my technique resulted in a better shave below the jawline.

 

That Ladas may be my second place least favorite blade. It's not aw bad as Indian Willy's, but still pretty bad.

 

The law of "diminishing returns" needs to be minded even more when learning to straight shave.

 

I learned I apparently haven't learned the secret of lathering Stirling after all.

 

I learnt that Arko not only makes a fantastic soap...but also a rather decent $5 cologne/aftershave

 

I saw a video a while ago that posed an interesting theory for lathering Stirling soaps. The guy said to not bloom the puck, start with a much drier brush, and load WAY longer. His reasoning was that the ingredient that tends to make Stirling great is the Bentonite Clay. If you start with more water, you'll pick up more clay and less soap, throwing the ideal ratio out of line.

 

I learned that by switching out the regular handle on my EJ DE89 with the one that came on my $11 Utopia I can get an even better and closer shave. I may have to start using my 89 more often again.

 

Love my 89L with pol/silver or wilkenson sword. But last night's shave was my red-tip Gillette with the sword. Little more aggressive but I learned that combo gives a DFS.

P.S. LET'S GO LIGHTNING!!!

 

ARKO!!! That's truly exciting.