What did we learn from our last shaves?

I learned that I could like a badger brush, and to take more time building lather on my face.

 

I confirmed that I just don't prefer the lather from veggie soaps. Gotta be tallow, baby!

 

Reinforced that your favorite blade may not work in your new razor.

 

I learned that I may have ruined safety razors for myself. I am so used to straight razor shaving (from the 30 Day Challenge) and the extreme closeness it affords that nothing compares.

Except for a Gillette Adjustable on 9 with a super sharp blade.

Perhaps.



Also...

There's nothing like a hot shower and a close shave to raise the spirits.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

My day just wouldn't feel complete anymore without a shave. Prior to summer 2014 I had worn some form of beard for 8 years.

 

That I cannot use alum, at least not on my neck.

 

I learned that Feathers really don't go past three shaves.
I also learned that I can shave to relax, that I don't have to be relaxed to shave. Everything else I enjoy, I have to be chilled out before I can do it, especially fishing.
I can also get a great shave when I'm not at home.

 

I learned shaving with soap vs. shaving with cream is a lot better by takes some more time and prep. Also I learned that the merka blades are good for maybe 4 or 5 shaves

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

Some shaves cannot be judged until 8-12 hours after the fact.

 

I think I agree with what someone else has said here before... If I wash and moisturize my face before bed, my shave the next day seems smoother and more comfortable.

 

I found out today that a SE razor and blade gets very quiet once all the whiskers are gone..... DUH

 

I read somewhere that you can melt them together again to form a new alum block. It's somewhere around here on TSD but where.....



I learnt that

• I needed to use even less pressure than I did. It helped when I concentrated on trying to just shave the lather in stead of the hairs
• with an even lighter touch I can dial the Gillette Slim up to 9 fo rthe whole shave and still have a great shave!
• if I shave every other day in stead of daily I get closer shaves

 

I need to try this out, makes sense.

I learned that I need to keep reading all the valuable insight on this forum to make sure I don't decapitate myself.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I was looking at my setup for the month of January, and learned realized that I am a part of something. Thanks TSD!

 

A support group?

 

If only...mostly just enablers, but a fun group!

 

My name is Mark and I am a wet shaving addict.

 

After a baby bottom smooth shave this morning, along with a little reflection on my shaving journey so far, I have learned these from my shave today:

1. I already have everything I need to get baby bottom smooth shaves, or very nearly so, with every shave and at a very reasonable cost.
2. Sometimes the best accouterments to use for the shave will be found right away. Once a really good gear combo is found, stop and don't waste time.
3. Other times, the very best blades, soaps, aftershaves, etc. are only found after a great deal of experimentation. If a great gear combo is found, keep on trying new things as there might be something much better.
4. As regards #2 and #3, there is no right answer. #2 is the quickest and most efficient way to great shaves, but #3 can bring about some truly great shaves.
5. I ultimately wound up going the #3 route, but could have done very nearly as well going with the #2 option. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably stick with #2.
6. Find a relatively small number of reliable, trusted sources of wetshaving information, and favor those.
7. Much of what you read about wethshaving online is bs, but there are also many pearls of wisdom to be found. Only a few will turn out to be of major importance. Let experience be your guide.
8. Question what you are told. If it is false, you will then not be mislead. If it is correct, then you will have a deeper understanding of its correctness by investigating.
9. There is much groupthink in the forums, blogs and YouTube. Take a step back every once in awhile and think outside of the box. Your shaves will benefit.
10. The only difference between traditional wetshaving and any other form of shaving is that traditional wetshaving is less expensive, more enjoyable and gives better shaves.
11. Less expensive, more enjoyable and gives better shaves makes a huge difference.
12. I am almost done trying new shaving things, as I have already learned more than enough and found just the right things to get great shaves every time.
13. Shaving, traditional wetshaving or otherwise, is a component of life, not something on which to be overly focused except for a learning period.
14. The learning period is over and I have graduated Traditional Wetshaving University when my rate of learning new things starts to level off.
15. Hyper-materialism / acquisition disorders / hoarding do not ultimately bring long-term happiness, and are not necessary to learn about or enjoy wetshaving. Jim Rion put it best.
16. Wetshaving products can be available one day and not the next.
17. The same goes for forums, blogs and other online resources.
18. Share what you learn. This is very important.
    
19. Wetshaving forums are for learning. The best is The Shave Den.
20. The only enduring sources of wethsaving information are between your ears, in writing and in print.
21. It's shaving, not dogma or rocket science. Don't overthink it and for heaven's sake don't lend any credence to the online forum wars / shouting matches / drama / temper tantrums.
22. We were put on Earth to have fun and be happy. All of the above should be done with that in mind.
23. I probably learned way to much from my shave this morning.

 

I'll be trying Astra blade tomorrow, been using Chrystal blades this month with no great impression.

 

It is time to change the blade!

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/ten-blades-how-long-will-they-last.42857/page-2#post-783219