What did we learn from our last shaves?

Even though they're nice and sharp, Feather blades still irritate my skin.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I learned that some skin stretching improves the quality of am injector shave.

 

From todays shave, I learned the vintage Gibbs razor is quite aggressive even set on N for nuetral. I turned it down to 1 for a great 3 pass shave.

 

It's just a shave. I don't need to spend a ton of time trying to get every little whisker down to fresh meat. Sometimes good enough is good enough.

 

Think "beard reduction" on your first pass. Then use later passes to smooth the skin! You're doing great!

 

I learned that the open comb on the iKon Shavecraft 101 is absolutely a waste of space. The OC is overly mild, I've used iKon other OCC and had much better results.

 

Proraso and Cella are still magnificent.

 

I learned that blooming is overrated IMHO. I used my DR HARRIS soap without preparing the puck and got less soap suds and more soap on my brush.

I also found out that DR Harris is better than I remember it being.

 

that Soap Commander is truly a great product. all doubt is gone. I also learned that my 1953 Gillette Tech is still a great razor even after all that time

 

Had a problem this morning with my MWF not being slick enough for me this morning. I added a little more water to the bowl after the first pass and it was a little better. Not sure what happened. Guess I was holding my mouth wrong when I was building the lather in the bowl.
Anyone else experience this?

 

I learned that MWF is a pain to get a consistent lather with.

 

Yes, it certainly can be stubborn at times!

I learned again that a straight razor may 'feel' shave-ready to the touch (thumb pad test), but the true test is when the rubber hits the road—i.e. taking the razor to the whiskers!—which is the probably the only REAL proof of shave-readiness!

 

You right!

 

Yup.
And with so many other soaps out there that are easy to lather AND provide a consistent lather, I choose not to fight with MWF.

But that's me.

 

I discovered Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge blades are the blades for that razor BUT the process of finding out caused neck irritation. I'm having to take break to let my neck chill out. This SS may just be the go to razor from now on.

 

I am aging like a fine wine.

 

Sputnik's are not for me. I have tried them with several different razors but today I even tried them in the mildest razor I have and still got neck irritation.

 

I learned that sideburns and straight razor shaving may not be compatible for me.

 

I always catch some of my existing facial hair when using a straight. I wonder if it will stop or I'll just eventually be clean shaven.

 

It's taken me almost three years but I've learned a 3pass shave is plenty good. No more 4-5pass shaves! I've solved that problem by shaving my head now.