Just a general outline so that others can compare and gauge similarities and differences etc..... When: Up until last week, exclusively in the evening. I am now switching to mornings for personal reasons (time tbh) Frequency: Daily; I only skip a day if my face is sore from a bad shave or i have not had the time. Hot or Cold water Mainly hot water unless i have suffered from the previous shave in which case i use cold water Pre-shave: Just water. No oils, etc. Main lathering approach (Bowl/Hand/Mug/Scuttle/Face/etc): Face lathering; I don't like the time, fuss and mess of bowl lathering and i feel face lathering gives a better lather and a better lifting and hydration of the beard Bloomer? NO! Main weapon of choice Safety razor: I don't like cartridges anymore and cut throats scare me Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. Hard soaps, preferably in the manufacturer supplied bowl. Blade management: Use them until they start to tug. Normally 4 shaves +/- Preferred brush type: A short handled synthetic. The short handle lets me throttle the knot and i have yet to find an animal brush better than my Yaqi synth. Post shave: A simple alcohol splash. No Alum (blurgh), No strong/expensive aftershaves as i prefer perfume/cologne, no balms unless i really need it. Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) BBS- (I am guilty of chasing the baby far too much) Technique: 3 passes. 1 down - 1 across - 1 up. My hair grows in all directions so the WTG/XTG/ATG thing means nothing to me. Short strokes, trying not to pass repeatedly over the same area on any one pass. No separate 4th pass for pick ups. Use residual slickness and water on the 3rd pass to catch stragglers. Rinse after each pass (helps hydration). Try not to go back to the puck for more soap on each pass, instead use the water from each post-pass rinse to thin the lather progressively on each pass. Personal challenges: I have lumps and scars so they can be difficult to shave near. No matter what and regardless of the approach, i always get post-shave rough spots on my upper jaw line. My skin is sensitive to razor blades and aggressive razors but my beard is tough so it is a constant battle between using a sharp blade or an aggressive razor. A/S is usually approached with apprehension...
When: Frequency 1-2 x per week Hot or Cold water Hot, since I shave in the shower Pre-shave: Home made PSO Main lathering approach (Bowl/Hand/Mug/Scuttle/Face/etc): Bowl lathering Bloomer? NO! Main weapon of choice Ming Shih adjustable DE Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. My home made shave soap, which contains glycerin, shea butter & goat milk Blade management: 2 shaves is my limit Preferred brush type: Silver tip badger Post shave: Lotion bar Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) BBS- Technique: 1-2 passes ATG
- When: Morning - Frequency: Daily - Hot or Cold water Hot winter, cold summer - Pre-shave: Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap - Main lathering approach: Face summer, scuttle winter - Bloomer?: Only on Williams Wednesday and Fat Friday - Main weapon of choice: DE/SE - Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc: Soap - Blade management: Three and out - Preferred brush type: Finest badger - Post shave: Alum, witch hazel, aftershave - Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) BBS face, DFS neck - Technique: Three passes North to south South to north Across - Personal challenges: Bumpy skin in the hollows of my neck. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
When: Morning Frequency: Daily Hot or Cold water: Hot Pre-shave: Wash face with soap and warm water Main lathering approach (Bowl/Hand/Mug/Scuttle/Face/etc): Face lathering Bloomer? Mostly no, but I ain't agin it. Main weapon of choice Safety razor, SE, or shavettte Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. Hard soaps and shaving creams Blade management: 3 and out. They're cheap, and I have plenty. I like using sharp blades. Preferred brush type: Badger or boar by a long shot but will sometimes use a synthetic Post shave: Water, alum (sometimes), more water, witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and aftershave Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) BBS- Technique: 2 passes and touchups. 1st mostly WTG, 2nd mostly ATG, additional touch ups around mouth, chin, and sometimes lower neck. I'll call it good after this regardless of the results. They're usually pretty good, though. Personal challenges: I'm always looking for tweaks to get the most out of my two pass plus touch up shaves. I'm currently working on better skin stretching techniques.
When: Morning Frequency: Usually every other day when I have to shave. If I don't, I won't. Hot or Cold water: Hot Pre-shave: Nothing really Main lathering: 100% FL. You can have my face lathering when you pry it from my cold dead face Bloomer? Still not sure what that means Main weapon of choice DE, SE, injector or T-II Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. No real preference, whatever is within reach Blade management: TSD: use it until it Tugs, Scrapes or Draws blood from dullness Preferred brush type: Boar. Old nylon is nice Post shave: Rinse, WH, a/s with menthol. Typically no moisturizer, but sometimes. Did I mention menthol? Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) 90-10 BBS-DFS Technique: Almost 100% ATG. Yup. Personal challenges Can't think of any, technique is pretty well nailed down Want to add one... Dislikes/hates Almost all platinum blades, no matter what I try. Scratchier than a coarse wool turtleneck. GAH!
When: Morning after a shower Frequency: Every day Hot or Cold water: Hot or warm or cold Pre-shave: Proraso or Nivea (if I use Nivea I apply it before the shower) Main lathering: Bowl but sometimes I face lather when I travel Bloomer? Habitually Main weapon of choice Straights Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. Soap or Cream Blade management: DE 2 and done, Feather Pro SE 3 and done GEM 4 and done. Preferred brush type: Badger and boar, I am not a fan of synthetics, I don't like the way they feel. Post shave: AS and 15 minutes later ASB Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) Usually BBS without irritation. Technique: 4 passes, I found beard reduction reduced my irritation to almost zero. WTG, XTG, XTG (opposite direction) and ATG Personal challenges Honing
When: Morning after a shower Frequency: Every day Hot or Cold water: Hot shave/Cold rinse Pre-shave: none Main lathering: 75/25 face/bowl Bloomer? Hard soaps only Main weapon of choice Straights, occasional DE Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. Soap, Croap or Cream Blade management: DE blades: Use them 'til they tug. Straights: Strop daily, refresh when needed. Preferred brush type: 14 Badgers, 1 Boar, 1 Synthetic Post shave: Alum, Thayer's Medicated WH, followed by AS Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) DFS+ w/Straights, BBS w/DE Technique: 2 + passes: WTG, XTG, Clean up ATG Personal challenges Honing
When: Usually late evening Frequency: 3 or 4 times a week Hot or Cold water: cold water is for Whisky only Pre-shave: wash face with pears soap, plenty hot water to rinse, prorasso pre. Main lathering approach: in bowl Bloomer?: Very occasionally Main weapon of choice: straight Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc: Vitos croap Blade management: strop Preferred brush type: Badger Post shave: alum block, rinse then a balm Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) I dont try for a bbs, I get a close shave im happy, pushing for a bbs with a straight can produce red stuff Technique: two passes Personal challenges: none really
when -morning/evening frequency- 5 -6 days a week hot or cold- depends on weather pre shave-sometimes proraso pre main lathering-bowl bloomer -a little water on hard soap just before loading main weapon of choice-vintage gillette de prefered soap-cream croap or soap,no favorites,mood related blade management-when it tugs?..3-4 on russian gillettes.many on spoilers.. prefered brush -badger/boar/synth in no particular order post shave -alum witch hazel a/s balm--whatever i feel like after the shave usual shave quality-dfs+ rarely bbs.. technique-2 combination passes, 3 with a tech. personal challenges..none really.. added-time with carts 35+ years time with gillette de-3 years lesson learned-wish i had started de years ago thankful for-30DC..
When:Like to shave in the morning or near noon lately because of operation recently Frequency: Daily unless bad shave prior Hot or Cold water: prefer cold water rinse mostly Pre-shave: wet the face and apply Aloe Vera gel Main lathering approach: Bowl lather mostly or soap stick Bloomer?: No, not much advantage IMO and a waste of soap! Main weapon of choice: All safety razors but really enjoy GEM & Schick models lately, Gillette has some great razors also I fancy. Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc: I like Croap soaps and some creams. Blade management: I count shaves and DE I average 5-7 shaves so the toss occurs on 6 max and single edge I will usally toss after 10 unless it's a Schick twin II Preferred brush type: Plissoft synthetic Post shave: Alum + cold water rinse and then a splash with some balm Usual shave quality CCS,DFS,BBS = happy happy Technique: WTG+ATG + clean up pass Personal challenges: Just keep enjoying my shaves and buy some different razors once in a while to try and enjoy, lots of interesting folks who shave and that is one thing common for us traditional shaving folks.
When: Frequency Daily Hot or Cold water Hot Pre-shave: None Main lathering approach (Bowl/Hand/Mug/Scuttle/Face/etc): 98% face, does a scuttle count for a bowl? Bloomer? NO!, I'm not growing roses Main weapon of choice 90% SE (ShovelHead, or lather catcher) 10%De Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. Williams, Van See Hagen, stirling Blade management: Stainless steel SE up to 6, carbon steel, up to 4 De- when it tugs Preferred brush type: Cheap boar Post shave: Splash Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) Dfs-BBS, but I don't chase the baby Technique: 3 pass, wtg,atg,xtg touch up if needed.
When: Generally mid to late morning (I work second shift) Frequency: 2-3 days a week. Hot or Cold water Hot water shave, cool rinse. Pre-shave: H2O Main lathering approach (Bowl/Hand/Mug/Scuttle/Face/etc): usually bowl lather and sometimes Barbasol Bloomer? maybe occasionally. Main weapon of choice Safety razor many times it will be a Krona Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc. Hard soaps. Blade management: Use them until I need to work for the shave. Preferred brush type: Use to be synthetic now I'm mainly in to badger. Post shave: Usually a nice alcohol AS maybe a balm Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) DFS Technique: ONE PASS ONLY!! Personal challenges: None I haven't surpassed.
[*]When: Generally evenings, occasionally mid day, rarely mornings. [*]Frequency: 36-48 hours between. [*]Hot or Cold water: Except for a few days in December - January, cool tap water. [*]Pre-shave: Occasional glycerin preshave soap. [*]Main lathering approach: Suribachi bowl 95% of the time. [*]Bloomer?: Yes when using a neglected hard soap. [*]Main weapon of choice: DE most often, but I'll pick up a Schick, shavette, or a SR if the mood strikes. I lean toward vintage razors yet enjoy several modern, too. [*]Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc: No, I like too many to have a favorite. For the economy hard soaps. For the scents artisan croaps. [*]Blade management: Use them until they tug. Long since quit counting. [*]Preferred brush type: A fresh unbroken in boar, Omega by choice. [*]Post shave: Alcohol based splash most often. Balms generally reserved for low humidity winter months. [*]Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.) Rarely chase the baby. DFS or better is the norm, with little or no irritation the goal. [*]Technique: WTG, ATG, XTG, & a little clean up if I've lather left in the bowl. [*]Personal challenges: Lower neck for the odd direction of growth. Chin when using an open blade. Jon @BlueShaver - well thought out survey! Will you consider data analysis when you get enough points?
Good idea, i may well do. I have found the replies so far very interesting. (Your comment about virgin Boars in particular! ) The variance in passes and direction is interesting as well. I used @jluc technique of down-up-across this morning ( i usually use down-across-up) and it went ok. Certainly something to consider as i thought that the ATG pass was always left to last. The thread has had a better response than i thought it would get tbh!
With my beard growth the across pass is going against the grain as much as the up pass does. My facial hair grows in every direction. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Time: I shave in the morning Frequency: Daily Hot water Presage: No preshave, oil blocks my beard from absorbing water, I get terrible shaves with oil. Face lather with soap I don't bloom Main weapon of choice changes daily, my most used razor is a prewar tech I use a blade for 3 to 5 shaves I only own 2 brushes I usually use my omega boar Post shave with aftershave and alum Most shave are bbs but I'm fine with dfs My technique is 2 passes X grain the against. My personal challenge is to go back in time and buy up a bunch of Gillette razors, then come back to present day and get rich from selling them on eBay, then use my fortune to raise an army and take over the world.
[*]When: Any time of the day I can find time really. [*]Frequency: Every other day for face and head. [*]Hot or Cold water: Cold Water [*]Pre-shave: Sometime. Either cedar or a hemp oil. [*]Main lathering approach: Face/head. Sometimes bowl lather. [*]Bloomer?: No need. [*]Main weapon of choice: Straight razor for face. SE or DE for head. [*]Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc: Hard soaps preferred. [*]Blade management: Straight razor, general stropping. After about ten shaves, I give it a refresh. SE and DE blades are used till they are nonfunctional. [*]Preferred brush type: Boar foremost. [*]Post shave: Alum block and witchhazel. In fall/winter, balm. [*]Usual shave quality (BBS/DFS/SAS, etc.): DFS is good enough for me. [*]Technique: WTG, XTG in both directions. [*]Personal challenges: Some moles that I have to be careful of. One of my neck likes to grow hair so it's a little challenging gowling from skin to mole to skin but I've gotten the hang of it.
When: Evenings Frequency: About 3 times a week Hot or cold water: Definitely hot Pre-shave: No Main lathering approach: Face Bloomer: No Main weapon of choice: DE Preferred shaving soap/cream/foam/gel, etc: Soap Blade Management: GSB, I get a lot of life out of them (currently using one that has about 10 shaves on it). Preferred Brush: Razorock Synthetic Post-shave: Thayers Usual Shave Quality: BBS Technique: 3 pass with touch-up