01.01.2018
Pre-shave: hot shower
Brush: VDH Boar
Soap: Tabac soap puck
Razor: Magic by Master Barber shavette
Blade: Derby (1)
Post-shave: Dickinson's Original WH, Nivea Sensitive Skin PS Balm, British Stirling AS
Well my friends, today was the day. Not only was it the first day of 2018, this was also the day I used a shavette for the first time. I almost put it off, but I girded my loins and faced the unknown. I proceeded cautiously and concentrated on the angle. Normally when I shave I either listen to music or news, but this time I needed quiet so I could hear the sound of the blade moving across the face. It did not disappoint. The audible response of the blade cutting whiskers was profound. I took short strokes, and at one point during the first pass I rewet the brush to add water to the Tabac lather drying on my face because I was going slow.
This was in no way a perfect shave today, but it was a challenging one.
First... it was awkward trying to find the best way to hold the razor. I don't know that I did, but I managed.
Second... I was a couple of videos of people using a shavette, and they learned to shave with both hands. I considered that. I held the razor in my left hand (I'm right hand dominant) and decided, "No way." Question for those of you who are experienced in using shavette and straights, do you use both hands... did you practice it and become comfortable with using both hands? Or do some of you simply use your dominant hand?
Third... I managed a BBS on my cheeks, surprisingly. But then again, I think I can manage a BBS shave on my cheeks with a dull pocket knife. Not that difficult. The tough part of my face is the neck. I was very careful around the neck... I'm not even sure I cut much of the whiskers down. I thought about going to a safety razor to finish off the neck but decided I'd given myself enough razor burn. Anyway, shaving the neck with this razor will require practice... it was not going well today.
Fourth... Besides using the shavette for the first time, my primary goal was to shave with it and not draw any blood. I did two primary passes, and a clean up pass on the neck and at the end I was delighted I had used the shavette without blood!
BUT.. during clean-up I noticed a single nick just off the edge of my goatee. Not big, but it did bleed a bit.
I'm looking forward to another fun month with the 30DC crew! Have a great week everyone!
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