Should I strop the GEM PFTE blades between shaves? I would be palm stropping. It feels reeeaaaallllyyyy smooth as it is so I don't want to do it unless it'll improve them further.
I do it after each time I use it. Don't know if it really helps but it can't hurt. I can get 5-6 great shaves from the coated blades. Then it starts to go down a bit. I prefer sharp blades. By the way I do a 3 pass shave. Tom
All I've managed to accomplish by palm stropping/corking/styrofoaming/blue jean stropping/whatever is to turn a sharp blade into a less sharp one. I don't bother with any sort of stropping with modern blades. --Bob
Today's Shave: Monday May 16, 2016 E.S.F Rapide razor Rapide wedge blade (3rd shave since honing) The Grooming Co. synthetic brush WSP Rustic Shaving Soap Gaelic Tweed Stirling Sharp Dressed Man aftershave Another outstanding shave with the Rapide. This type of shaving takes a little more effort, but it's worth it. Tomorrow I'll take a leap forward in time with the Rocnel. --Bob
I only palm strop before the first shave to take some of the "bite" off. After that I leave them alone.
Tonights shave Razor: Henckels Rapide Blade: Henckels Rapide (1) Was bored last night so I refreshed my wedges. Soap: MWF Beginning not to like so much Brush: Boar 24MM AS: Old Spice Tonights shave would have been stellar except for the MWF. It started stinging after the 2nd and 3rd pass. My face is still stinging. I will not be using this for a while. Other than that, the shaves with the wedges are going great. I am getting the passes down on them now. I can get a DFS on 3 passes with no cleanup. If I go for a 4th pass short buffing strokes with just the razor weight a BBS is easily achieved. As I am shaving every day now I only do three passes unless the occasion calls for BBS. The occasion being wanting to Faceterbate while veging I am using the Allegro to do my stropping as it tends to not over do the edges when I hand strop. It keeps a nice straight line along the edge. I am sure you all know that magical thing that sometimes happens. 30 minutes or so after your shave your face is even smoother than when you just finish. I have no clue as to how this happens, or even care for that matter. I chalk it up to the shave wizard. Anyhow great shaves these Razors. Tom
Monday's Maiden voyage with the Rocnel SE. Was not as rough as I expected using a new razor with a head type that I have never experienced before. I did 3 passes (WTG, XTG both directions), then some ATG cleanup in my trouble areas. During the first pass I had some difficulty getting the appropriate angle and it resulted in a small weeper on my upper lip. But the angle was found during the next pass and the rest of the shave went smoothly. Will definitely need to work on technique with this razor though. I really like the heft and feel of the razor, it is heavy and solid. But the head is also very heavy, so I think it could use either a lighter head or a little more weight in the handle to counter the heavy head a little. Maybe it needs to be longer or shorter. I didn't have any issues loading a snapped in half GSB, and the slight over hang on each side with the blade didn't have a negative impact on the shave whatsoever. I'll know more about the razor when I have more experience with it. Have a great day folks!
It is weird I have used it 10 times to date. But today it burned the heck out of my neck. The stinging and redness have finally stopped. To the trash bin with that stuff.
Its an Over Rated Soap anyway..I would have Thrown it in the Bin whether it Burned my Face or Not..Its Made in Yorkshire England..They Should have Stuck to Making Yorkshire Pudding.. Billy..
May 16, 2016 On a two-week business / pleasure trip since Saturday night. Alternating between two Schick two razors: C1 (Personna *74) H2 (FergieFeather) Soap: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary Brush: Rubberset 300N 'Plastiset' Nylon TSD Witch Hazel AS: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary Alternating every day so far, getting very good shaves with both. Later on in the week I just may use a different razor on each side for better comparison. Cheers! RT
SOTD Tue. 5/17/16 Prep: Noxzema Classic SS: Figaro Monsieur Gold SB: Semogue 620 Boar Razor: Schick E2 Blade: Schick Super Chromium ASB: Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill Shower Soap Bar: Grandpa's Patchouli/aloe Cologne: Nautica Voyage Good morning friends. Immensely enjoyable shave this morning, made so easy by this efficient yet smooth E2. The Figaro Monsieur Gold is a real winner of a soap providing bountiful, easy, slick, rich lather. Today i loaded my brush by tilting the container upside down and wouldn't you know it, it works fantastically well. Finished off with Glacial Lemon Chill goodness and it's much appreciated in this Fla, heat. Dolphin smooth in three. Have a wonderful day gents.
How do you like the original nylon knot on that brush? Does it have the same soft face feel as today's synthetic knots?
SOTD May 17, 2016 Prep: Warm shower Blade: Chinese Schick Razor: Schick G1 Injector Brush: Omega 10049 boar Lather: VDH Luxury scented Post: Witch hazel splash, Fred's knock-off Old Spice, Nivea sensitive balm WTG, touch-up Really nice shave this morning. The Omega boar whipped up some beautiful VDH lather. My VDH lathers last week weren't the best - not bad, but not great. This was prime lather. Rich, shiny, and all the other good stuff. The G1 glided right through it and gave me a close shave. Just one pass with touch-up is all I need on a work day. This was shave 11 on the chick blade. I meant to change it out but forgot! Still felt really smooth but I can tell it's losing some of the sharpness. I'll hopefully remember to change it tonight before tomorrow's shave. Hope you all have a great day!
