Week 3 (Comfort Week)
Feb. 15--
Episode 15: “All Quiet on the Facial Front”
So this week, I decided to focus on the 2+ pass shave. The goal is for a comfort score of 5 all week. I’d like it close if I can get it close, but not at the expense of comfort.
MMOC
This was a tough razor with which to start Comfort Week. Forget about ‘reverse pressure’, start worrying an area with obsessive buffing, lose track of the shave angle (I ride the cap for the MMOC), and I feel it for the rest of the day--with or without blood…
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Week 3 Gear
- Blade: SS non-coated gem (3)
- Brush: Kong
- Soap: Stirling Texas on Fire. I’ve missed using this one over the last couple weeks. Stirling performance and a unique, pleasant scent that is aromatic, and in no way “ashy” to me. Usually I stick with samples, so I have an excuse to try out another soap sooner, but I broke down and ordered a full puck of this. ToF is going to be a permanent fixture in my 3 soap rotation.
- AS: Tsuka. Tsuka’s on the chopping block this week. I get more of a burn with this AS than I do with Clubman or AV Ice Blue, and I’m trying to decide if I like that burn. I’m also on the fence with the scent. Sometimes I quite enjoy it, and sometimes I feel almost apologetic for it having it on. This will be the week that determines the fate of Tsuka.
- Balm: Stirling Glacial Unscented. I’ve been dialing down my menthol use this month in order to be more fully aware of how my face feels. The Nivea feels great, but over the last two weeks my face has become more and more dry. When summer approaches, I’ll probably resume sneaking the Nivea from my sons on occasion.
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The Shave
The shave went very well, but with one of those dicey moments on the upper lip on the 2nd pass (there was a slight pimple or ingrown hair or something on my upper lip, and I
know it got shaved off, but it never bled. I waited--no blood. I dabbed with tissue just to make sure--no blood. Shave on!
The Score
Comfort: One hour after the shave, I gave this a score of 5--no irritation present. 8 hours later, though, there is some irritation and itchiness. I'm inclined to blame the AS, which looks bad for Tsuka. Hear that, Tsuka? You've got a week to stop burning!
Closeness: I'd say this was a DFS overall, though a little scruffy on the southernmost part of the compass. Score: 3
Tally
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Next up, the 1912. I'm going to try something crazy tomorrow and only load 1 gem in my razor instead of two. Stop! I will not be dissuaded--I live on the edge.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everybody--make it awesome!
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