What did we learn from our last shaves?

I learned that an allergy to coconut oil may very much be a possibility.

 

That was my first week or two as well...lots of bloodshed and such. But I promise, once you get it figured out you will wonder why you did not switch to DE long ago...pretty soon, it will just click. Part of what is going on...you are having not only to learn the new technique, but "unlearning" the techniques you acquired with carts at the same time.

I read on your 30 Day post that your head gave you issues. Just a thought...If carts worked well on your head, keep using them on your scalp (but with real lather) until you have mastered all the DE skills on your face. If your scalp could take the carts, don't fix something that isn't broken. After you are a natural with DE face shaving, I can only imagine using it on your head will be easier then. No shame in that waiting game at all. Just my 2 cents. Take your time, be slow and deliberate...take time to enjoy/master each part, like prep, lather, shave...they are all different skills. I think you are rapidly realizing that it is a completely different way to have than canned foam and carts, and am really glad you are having a little fun too!

 

I actually used the DE on my head before my face. I think the trick with head shaving using the DE is that the angle is far less intuitive than the cart, and if the angle isn't right, you'll be tempted to apply pressure because you'll feel and hear that it isn't cutting well.

 

I don't literally shave my head...I go about as far as I can with electric clippers every week. Let my hairline recede a few more years and I will give it a try.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

Bolzano is fine for my skin. It yielded a very nice, smooth and easy shave.

Another little nice thing that happened along the way on TSD...when I got the PIF Ladas sample, the letter also included 2 unmentioned Bolzano blades. Bolzano seems to adequately sharp and really really smooth over 2 shaves. No irritation or anything noteworthy, face still felt great 12 hours later.

Lately I have gotten 2pass+ DFS results from Derby, Ladas, Rapira, Kroger generics, GSB and Bolzano...and have really liked the 53 Tech razor head with Ladas.

YMMV, but I am amazed at how much better the blade manufacturers have gotten at making blades since I started DE shaving in 2014!

 

I learned that in a very mild razor, Feather blades are fantastic. I'm working through my trial blades again because my beard has changed a lot since starting with DE. My shave this evening with my Fat Handled Tech was nothing short of sublime.

 

Lol... Sure!

 

That using the Feather Super blades in the Cobra razor is as close as I can get to a straight razor shave without using a straight razor. Great shave.

 

nice! I felt the same way about the 2011 R41 and a Feather blade.

 

I've been sticking with the Astra SP so far but I think I might try the Polisilvers with my 2013 R41 next. I found them a little harsh in my slant, but we'll see how they do in The Beast.

 

The 2013 is considerably 'tamer' than the 2011, but still a great shaver!

 

Once I get more familiar with the 2013 I think I'll look into one of those 3D top caps.

 

I learned that many artisan shaving soaps are next to useless, except as bath soaps. They typically have nearly everything done right, but the lather disappears almost immediately once applied to my face. Having tried yet another artisan soap and been disappointed, it might make sense to stick with what I know works from now on. I think this poster on Badger & Blade put it best:

Now there are some very good artisan shaving soaps, but those are almost always made by folks who put in time and effort to verify their soaps work well. Often they would send out samples to a number of people, ask which of the samples worked best, and then come up with another batch of samples to try. By iterations, they eventually wind up with a great shaving soap. It is a shame more soapmakers don't take the time to do this.

 

I dare say you've uncovered the difference between dedicated artisans and artful entrepreneurs. IMHO A true artisan would never place his/her mark on an imperfect good other than a free R&D prototype...

 

That maybe razor burn has more to do with my skin care than with my technique.

6th shave with the R41 and first one with significant razor burn. My second shave I had a tiny bit, and it was on a day I used my Salicylic Acid. Today was my first shave after starting a benzoyl peroxide cream and I haven't used a moisturizer in a few days. Connection with dehydrated skin and razor burn?

 

Totally could be it. I was having irritation and weepers with razors that never do that to me. I don't normally moisturizer, but it's been -30
Celsius up here and my skin was very dry. Started moisturizing and the problem went away.

 

That Personna 74's are worthy of all the praise they receive.

 

Today I learned the blue Persona blades where not the problem. I have to be carful just under my jaw line as the hair there grows in a different direction. That is what was causing the burn, so now all the blades I have tried seem to work well without irritation.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I learned realized that I am just as excited about learning my second razor as I was the first time around.

 

That sometimes I shave and don't learn a darn thing