Yeah I'll go with the GSBs, just have a VDH brush (which is working quite well actually), and I have some prorosa green coming in and if that works well for me I'll go with that, if not I'll just go with the VDH deluxe, it's been working well for me so far, it's just a little picky in terms of lather
I don't know if I can go that crazy. I do have very sensitive skin, and with my technique level, a nice smooth blade is a must. Maybe when I get better
I don't quite take that long lol. But I've been trying to take my time and enjoy the shave (shaving is no longer a chore). Which should make my wife happy, she likes a clean shaven face on me.
Your skin may not be as sensitive as you think. I thought mine was sensitive but after minor preshave prep and a good angle on the blade my face can take quite a bit of abuse. I have very stiff thick whiskers so an undersharpened blade stops, slides down the hair and bites me. With the right blade and the right angle you will be surprised at how little irritation you can get. I know what you mean about the long use blades. I personally could stretch out a GSB to 7 shaves but it starts becoming less comfortable after day 5. I'm a 3 and out shaver normally so I don't worry about it much.
So - the Weishi and Gillette Silver blades for a month. I am sure that you will learn a lot -- not just about developing technique, but about "taking a stand" -- I think I would benefit from this as well. I love to just be absolutely random in my shaving, but anyone can improve their technique by following that standard. However . . . SO much of my enjoyment of shaving is dependant on humoring my whims -- I think I'll continue to choose randomly regarding shaving, and just be unreasonably optimistic about the outcome; STORY OF MY LIFE.
Proraso is very easy and reliable, should work out for you. I would suggest three shaves and out while learning. A dying blade will affect how you perceive your own technique. It's not about taking a stand. For me it was the early realization that honoring my whims inhibited my ability to enjoy the whims. I had sentenced myself inadvertently to a never ending rotation of mediocre shaves. Skin irritation was a constant too. When learning to play golf, it would be more difficult if one changed club sets, balls, and tee height every day on a whim. It would be nearly impossible to gain any refined skill, or produce replicable outcomes absent extreme natural talent. That's a mistake similar to the one I made as a new convert to DE. I used lots of different things to fix issues that weren't equipment related. My comments only reflect one path on learning, and are not meant to disparage other methods of exploration and learning, and ultimately ymmv rules. By doing a 30 Day rule, I was able to see the issues holding me back more clearly. The goal of the whole exercise is to master one tool set, then introduce whims one at a time, noting what happens. It's not a life plan for shaving, but an introductory or experimental exercise. It's a boring exercise, and it's not for everyone, but it was of great benefit to me, and I believe it flattens the initial learning curve quite a bit.
I totally agree. I made the very mistakes @Bama Samurai mentions until he and the other members of the group advised me and while I'm no expert I get consistent great shaves every time now and I can now introduce different variables and get a real perspective on them, knowing undoubtably it's not technique if a new blade or soap isn't working for me. If anything using the same set up has opened me up to be more whimsical than before. It's each to they're own though I can only repeat what I've been taught that's worked for me
Yeah I'm just trying to take in as much advice as possible. DE shaving is very new to be and probably will be for a while. Still getting irritation on my neck, despite trying to keep the angle low. And I know the direction of my neck hair ,sideways on both sides away from the center, and I'm finding it hard to get my skin in a manner than allows me to properly go WTG. Usually end up doing a slight angle from the grain
You will get it I've been de shaving 6 weeks I'm not sure if you are but I was convincing myself I had a good technique and blaming my set up. I was also getting over confident with each successful shave. That was possibly my biggest issue one great shave would lead to a terrible over confident one. with the focus I was able to persist with the same set up and post about it then I started to realise problems that continued to come up and the focus has the answers for the problems. It's very hard not exploring but I believe it is the quickest way to get competent. Now I've completed my first focus I can't wait to get a new set up but keep it unchanged for jans focus I'm learning vintage se. I'm using the next few days to decide on a soap good luck
Ok -- I'm gonna give it a try. I will use only my Merkur 37C razor with Astra SP blades, along with Stirling shaving soap for the month of January 2016. I've not been at all unhappy with my random choice DE shaves, but I'm keen to try this approach to better shaving. It makes such perfect sense -- learn your razor, blade, and beard thoroughly before you introduce any variables. I am confident that I will learn something, and it will certainly set me up for the unleashing that will be February!
Nice! I'll be posting in the January 30 day focus thread for sure. I'll be using GSB blades, Proraso green croap, my newly acquired vintage Cavalier boar hair brush. And either my weishi 9306c long handle or if my Bullgoose SR108 gets in soon enough I'll use that
