What did we learn from our last shaves?

Hang in there. Did my time with that stuff, and it can offer all sorts of fun side effects (sarcasm on).

 

I learned that my gold fat handle Tech gives me an irritation free shave with a blade used twice already compared to the new Phoenix Double Open Comb razor I got this week. I'm heartbroken. I was hoping my first experience with an open comb would be better. What am I doing wrong? The first shave with the Phoenix hurt, especially on my neck. (I was using a new Astra Super Stainless Steel blade). I opened a chat with Douglas Smythe and he suggested that I alter the angle of attack to make the blade more parallel to my face. I tried that on round 2, the next day. I used the same blade this morning (3rd shave on this blade) in my Tech and it was irritation free and easy. I so wanted that open comb to be a great shaver for me... I guess MMV (My Mileage Varied).

 

I learned that I'm in serious like with my Ikon 102. It's not love just yet, but it's pretty close. Used the Gillette Silver Blue blade and got a bit of tugging. I like the Personna Blue in it better so far, but those two are all I've tried in it.

Did a two pass shave with no irritation. Mind you, it looks like I'm about a days growth after a really close shave. But, with no ouchies and a stress-free experience, I'll take it.

Now I just need to keep working on my fundamentals and technique. My goal is to shave more frequently and hopefully my skin will toughen up in my problem spots. If last night was any indication, I think it may be working. Fingers crossed.

 

I have learned that the Kai Sharp blade in the Mongoose has the best attributes of the Kai Mild and Feather Pro blades, extremely sharp and mild at the same time. Still have 2 more blades to test before the end of the month.

 

I've never shaved with that Phoenix razor, but I do believe it requires a very shallow angle, similar to a NEW. From what I read it has very little blade exposure, and almost no blade gap (as opposed to the Tech which actually has a quite generous blade gap for being such a mild razor). As such, you need to keep the top cap almost parallel to the face, maybe even "riding" the top cop a little as you might with a Single Edge razor. Otherwise you'll need to exert pressure just to get the blade close enough to the face to cut the hair.

 

I don't' have that razor, but OCs in general shouldn't be that difficult to use. I'm going to suggest your next OC be a Cadet, vintage, or even a Merkur OC. That one looks really cool, but it's from razor whose design didn't survive the test of time. I'd say chances are that your issues are due more to a poor design than anything you're doing wrong.

 

+1 on Cadet 3pc OC

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I learned that I have been chosen by the Veg.

 

Congrats. Still need to try it.

 

Thank you sir! I highly recommend and suggest Arko as a soap pairing!

 

Somebody intubate and start an IV of Methylprednisolone 3% while I start chest compressions. I think we're losing him.

 

If the charge is loving the true old school... I am ready to see the jury.

 

I think I'm learning that I don't enjoy melt & pour soaps as well as the tallow and lanolin soaps I've tried. My experience is still limited, but I tried Mama Bear's for the first time today. The lather was great. Thick, creamy, and slick. But I didn't enjoy it quite as much as my Stirling or my Beer Soap Co. tallow soaps. Not quite sure why.

 

I learned that I definitely don't like the lather that I get from Taconic soaps (way too airy, not enough slickness) and it's time to finally retire my VDH Black-Handled Boar.

 

While I didn't learn this directly from my shave, today I learned that the scent from Pinaud Clubman can be reactivated by sweat. Best I've ever smelled post-workout!

 

I learned the German Wilkinson Sword is a top notch blade. German engineering... go figure.

 

I get my closest shave from my Standard Razor and Trac II, about equal; I get a good shave but not quite as close from my Schick R-3. All shaves were two pass in the same manner as I do every shave.

 

I learned if it is not broken don't fix it. I have been gettin irritation free near bbs shaves with my r41 and the Rapira platinum lux blades. I was actually perplexed by all the dangerous most aggressive razor hype I had read about the r41

However I have some feather blades and my ego got ahold of and it felt like the feathers ...were staring at me...almost mocking me so I gave in and holy mother of pearl these are HARSH blades weepers, cuts, and my neck is on fire ! Never again! Horrible horrible horrible!

Learn from my pain if you buy the r41 stand proudly and do not let your manly ego get the best of you and use "the sharpest" blade out there. Get the sharpest SMOOTHEST blade you can find for me for now it is the Rapira pl.

 

Ouch! Hope you heal up fast.

 

The Shave Gods giveth and The Shave Gods taketh away.