I learned that even though one shave cream that I've used before that seemed prefect, may irritate my skin the next time I use it. Yeah, I don't get it either. So far the best shave cream for me is Noxzema with aloe and lanolin, canned cream. I'm trying to get away from the can, but it just keeps pulling me back in!
That I'm not sure I'll keep my SEs around. I've got a bullet tip, a 1914, and a 1924, and the only one I've enjoyed using so far is the Shovel Head. I just spent a solid week with it, and while I can get a pretty good shave from it, it's just not as comfortable as most of my DEs. I still want to try an OCMM before I give up on them altogether though.
It's my advice to guys (or gals if you're in to that) that have troubles loading enough soap onto the brush. No different than using a stick except the soap puck is much wider and easier top cover the face which is why I like it. Try Tabac, for instance, some time.
I found with Big Ben blades the blade will go from shaving well to grabby on the 3rd day. You can still eek out the 3rd shave where other razors will scrape badly. It's still Gillette Silver blue with Astra SP running second and for one reason or another most other blades well behind.
That I might need a milder razor for shaving my head. And I got one coming, a NOS Krona. Oh yeah and I might need a bigger brush. I like my commodore but it is a wee bit small. and I miss my boars.
I think I'm a DE shaver and not a SE shaver...yet... Tried my G-Bar for the first time today... Nadda. Put blade in my 1912 which I've used a couple times... Nadda... Re-lathered and went back to my 34c... Perfect... I know the SE's are a different learning curve than DE's but I have had "decent" shaves from the 1912. The G-bar might as well not had a blade in it at all.. With that said..... I'm still learning.
I 'learned' that even though the Anherb ASB might have gone through a reformulation I really, really like it.
Confirmed. I need a lot of blade exposure to get a comfortable shave. I've settled on 3 shims, although I'm considering trying more. My folliculitis has been really bothering me since Sunday, my topical antibiotic isn't kicking in like it has in the past, and I can't get into the Derm til next week. That means my head is especially sensitive to both cuts and irritation at the moment. Both Monday and today I accidentally put the shims into the razor upside down (topcap side instead of baseplate). Both were very bad shaves, contrasted with really good shaves the rest of the week with the shims installed properly.
I learned that I get a better shave in the morning after a hot shower. But, I really prefer the leisurely evening shaves when I can take my time and enjoy the "ritual". May need to try a hot towel pre-shave, next time.
After a 4 month absence from any cuts, nicks and not so much as a tiny weeper I shaved with the Merkur Slant that came in the mail yesterday......So much for no cuts nicks or weepers.... guess my technique is not as good as I thought!!!! After evaluatting my shave I pinpointed some of my errors I have lapsed into using a more forgiving razor. A day or so to kinda heal up and we will give it another try ... with some new insight!!!!!