Ok, I’m new here, and glad to be here. You probably won’t read all this, but it’s my journey so far.
I recently decided not to do the same rig for 30 days, so does that disqualify me?
I got my first DE on Xmas morning. A Merkur 34c and the Merkur blade the razor came with. I also got a wonderful sampler of Chiseled Face soaps, which smelled amazeballs. Went with Bay Rum first (yummy) then Midnight Stag (wow, what a scent!) and some others, mixing in my B&M Dickens tub. First impressions was that the CF’s were more enjoyable than the Dickens. I’d been using Proraso green pre-shave and post shave balm, with my EJ super badger (the one for $50 on Amazon) and my Gillette Mach 3. Was getting some good shaves. Certainly more consistently better than before the conversion to wet shaving. The DE was tricky. I was doing OK, but my blade angle and technique were inconsistent. I was getting close, but with irritation.
Then I heard about the 30 day rule, and thought, hmm, that might help. So I decided to try it about 10 days ago.
I decided to ditch the mentholated pre and post in favor of something more “wintery”: Cade Juniper shave oil to start and Proraso red lotion on the back end. Because I had the big tub and was not convinced, I decided on the B&M Dickens fr soap. The Merkur 34c with a Big Ben stainless blade. Basically because it was the blade I received the most of in my sampler pack.
I had a decent shaves, but not as good as before. I decided to add the Ach Brito Lime Glyce soap as a face wash before everything else. I left it on like some recommend and it started burning a little. I quickly washed it off and preceded to have a marvelously close shave (even on day 3 of the Big Ben). Then the wheels kinda fell off. I learned, sadly, that the Lime Glyce soap really irritates my face. I had to cut it out (luckily I bought three rounds to save a little $....). Then I convinced myself that my lather sucked. Too dry...and then was I over watering to compensate? Either way, I didn’t feel I was getting the cushion and slickness that I should be from the B&M, which some say is a top tier soap. Had a few more sub par shaves before realizing that not only did my razor angle suck - I was getting razor burn, chasing that BBS - but I didn’t like my soap or my oil either. Screw it, I said. I need a change. I satisfied a curiosity by buying some Clubman at the local druggist. Liked it! Used it again while also going for a “no irritation shave” (two passes with the grain) and had some serviceable, comfortable shaves.
This morning I said “screw it”. It was 2 degrees outside. And I have a sample of Cryogen. The one and only. Plus, I got my green Proraso pre shave and post shave balm (these are two different products, btw). And I’ve swapped out Noxema for the Lime Glyce. So I’ve got the eucalyptus/menthol superfecta at my disposal...and I availaed myself of it.
And I’m glad I did. The Cryogen felt marvelous on the face but I was crying like a baby during my shave. So weird. I’d read it can make your eyes water. I did. But it was a glorious shave. 2nd day on a Big Ben, 4 passes with touch ups, chasing the baby all the way! And I caught that little f*ck3r! No cuts and no pain....so the moment of truth: the alum bar (I may have forgotten to mention this). No sting! A cold rinse and then some witch hazel (just added this in recently too)...ahhhhh! Refreshing! Then the milky crisp balm. Glorious!
When I went outside I had the most pleasant, effervescent chill on my face.
I think I’ll try a different CF tomorrow, and another the day after. I’ve ordered some CF AS samples and I intend to pair them.
I’m way too ADHD for the 30 day experiment. Have pity?
Click to expand...
