I followed @Drygulch and @HolyRollah on angle. They recommend two spine widths as a starting point. Today you were likely too shallow and leaned on the razor to make it cut more efficiently. This made the Alum burn. So far so good, you're doing fine!
On techniques: Some are better than others: Object lesson Assuming that chick was 125lbs (57kg): 50.1 mph (80.6 km/hr or 22.4m/second) was her speed when she hit the water, which acts like a brick wall for a instant before she breaks the surface and sinks. If you watched the video, that's likely a serious brain injury. I venture that will be her last experiment with that technique. Always stay within yourself, and respect your own skill level.
More on technique: Guys get hurt with things like Fatip, Shavettes, SR when they panic after jumping, so to speak. We use real blades here, and they will all leave scars. Any aggressive shave tool must be used with confidence and caution. From @Keithmax (paraphrased) Anytime we are learning a new aggressive razor...if it gets shaky, we stop. We pick up a DE or cart we are comfortable with and have a nice shave. If we can't decide how to complete a stroke, we stop, we set the razor down. Breathe, relax, maybe we try again, maybe not. If we get frustrated, stop, and pick up a DE or cart we are familiar with, and have a nice shave. Don't ever jump unless you know.
Unfocused Focus Tabac Original Shave Soap LE30DC Cashmere Cypress Osaka Suribachi bowl Gillette New LC, Feather Alum, S.E.L.R. aftershave Fortune and Chance = Baji Naji. Taking my unfocused Focus inspiration from a view of the SOTD & 30DC shave reports brought the Tabac, Jason's brush, and my favorite 3pc open comb DE. The APShaveCo knot has the advantages of a synthetic; no need to soak, easy loading, plenty of backbone, soft tips, & quick drying. No time needed to whip up a pleasant slick lather in the textured bowl. I checked the blade in the razor. A good old Hi-Stainless of unknown number of uses. Lathered up, WTG being careful of riding the cap. Repeat for ATG, XTG, & lots of chin buffing and below the jawline G-slides. Rinsed and rubbed the alum block for very little heat. Good soap & riding the cap will do that. Prior to my shave I mixed up a blend of two aftershaves. Special English Leather Reserve. I find EL to be on the lighter side of leathers while SR can be a bit heavy. A 50/50 mix gives a coniferous scent on application with a pleasant leather drydown. Thanks to everyone who inspired my DFS. Good Shaves Y'all!
The 1924 is aggressive (wide open), but very easy to control. The head geometry and design actually render cutting oneself almost difficult, unlikely to be beyond a mere nick anyway. The grip I use is very close to the razor head, and with good stretches it's very efficient. SE blades don't seem as sharp as DE, maybe that's more about thickness, but that's actually a good thing. Sharper would probably lead to rougher shave. As a newbie I avoided these, mostly because I read a lot of negative stuff, but I shouldn't have. It's pretty safe and easy like DE, but it better approximates the efficiency and comfort found in open blades. With a light touch, these century old razors deliver very nice results.
Friday night / Saturday morning shave, July 8 - relaxation break Rockwell 6s on plate #3 / Topaz Platinum ( 1 ) 30DC LE Cashmere Maple brush The Red Green Duct Tape Special frankensoap Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent Aftershave I have a nuts work schedule this weekend starting this evening. A quick shave break was refreshing, using products I have used in previous 30 day focuses, so they are all familiar. The synthetic brush loaded and lathered my soft Italian almond frankensoap quickly and efficiently. The razor delivered a two pass near BBS. The alum kept its mouth shut like a good little alum bar, and the WH finished it all off. Total shave time was about five minutes.
Well, I shaved with an SE for the first time. A GEM 1912, courtesy of @clint64. Got a DFS, probably tied for my best shave if not a little better. The alum told me I need more practice. 3 pass shave and my neck is a little irritated and some weepers here and there. But the end product is a very close shave with almost no evidence that there was hair on my face. Today is the start of my vacation, going to drink some bourbon in Kentucky. Decided I'm going to take the Gillette so I can just shave nice and easy and probably do a focus with the GEM when I get back. Happy shaving everyone!
Glad you enjoyed the razor Josh. In my experience the Gem PTFE blades are more harsh on the first shave. Have fun in Kentucky and enjoy the bourbon.
July 8, 2017 Cobra Classic Schick Proline (7) Zenith B02 Boar Mystic Water Raspberry Lemon Folsom & Co Shambala Another great 2 pass shave this morning. The big Zenith is a lather making machine and had no trouble with the MW Raspberry Lemon. I have really enjoyed the Cobra this week. I find it to be an exceptionally efficient razor. When used with a light touch the Cobra consistently delivers close long lasting shaves. The Schick Proline blade is a very good blade. I would rank it very close to the Feather Pro. I have several more Proline blades to try in my other AC razors. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.
