I have learned a ton shaving for a year. I tried it before and gave it up as dangerous, but this time I stuck with it for a year and found I leaned a ton even when I thought I had plateaued . Particularly confidence. I have no concern that I am going to fillet my face at this point because I know what I am doing well enough to get great results. I still use a cartridge under my nose I admit. Anyway some aspects wet shaving is for everyone even if you use a cartridge … hear me out. You wouldn’t eat mashed potatoes with your fingers and now I find applying shave foam without a brush every bit as wrong. I have a lot more control with just my basic medium sized Omega synthetic brush and basic stainless steel small bowl. I can mix up some Ivory soap and make a lather richer than most shave goos, which are only advantageous because they take no time to later at all. Either way a shave brush and bowl also allow me to control the consistency where I start thick but thin it a bit for the last pass. Shave soaps are amazing! Almost all are better than the caned studs, and when traveling I take a Harry’s cartridge on my carry on. Even if you use a cartridge as your daily driver get a brush and some shave soap! I leaned equipment doesn’t need to be expensive. I had a Van Der Hagen and it was okay for a while. I now have some $30 Parker and am thinking about a nice Rockwell Stainless, but you can shave great in a $15 safety razor! It’s worth a try to everybody for that price; I think. I leaned how to lather fast and that I can always dip for more soap or add a splash of water… It provides a lot of control. Recently I have been doing a lot of face lathers if I am in a rush, and if works very well. The brush even holds enough extra to reapply for subsequent passes! Most of all I leaned to try new things to see what I like, and I leaned it is not one size fits all even for me. For one day growth I like a Gillette or Astra blade, or even a cartridge if the growth is absolutely minimal. For two days of growth hands down a cartridge is torture that tugs and clogs. As for the DE at that point I begin to lean toward a Feather blade. My beard is thick and course and it is great to not have tugging. I also leaned to soak with a hot wash cloth for at least 15 seconds before a shave. I also keep a styptic pencil handy for stop weepers, but a good shave has not a drop of blood. The trick is simply to be gentle and get the angle right (why I use a cartridge under my nose). What do others think and notice?
I think you would find an old Gillette Super Speed an improvement over your current razor. The shave would be similar, but the build quality was much better on the Gillette's.
I think you're doing great. Shaving is 95% technique, and 5% razor and software. Even when I use my electric shavers I use information I learned from traditional shaving. For fun try an injector razor next, I guarantee it'll shave like a cartridge razor and leave you nick free. Sent from my SM-A526U using Tapatalk
What is this "rush" you speak of? If I don't have time to enjoy my shave my way, I don't shave. Glad to hear you're getting things figured out and your shaves are getting better
Congrats on your progress! I predict your technique will improve even more as time goes on. For me, it's all about continual learning and having fun. My latest thing is incorporating proper skin stretching into my shave. It has been a game changer. Pay no attention to the dudes busting your chops for needing an occasional quick shave. Some of us no longer rise at the crack of dawn, pack a lunch box, and punch a time clock. They are fully seasoned and frequently yell "get off my lawn!" Words like quick and rushed carry no meaning for them. Carry on, and keep sharing your progress. It is encouraging and helpful!
Last time I shaved it was like 1 AM and I was dead tired. Just saying it wasn't about taking a lot of time but rather getting a result.
If it takes me longer than 10 minutes to shave, even with a straight razor, I'm going slow. I am one of those "ah, that's good enough" type guys, though.
@wristwatchb I get up at 4:15 to be out the door for work at 6:45. I hate to rush. Those 2-1/2 hours give me time to shower, enjoy my shave, get dressed, spend some in prayer and Bible reading, eat breakfast, brush my teeth and go, all without rushing I learned a long time ago--alarm clocks are adjustable
