What did we learn from our last shaves?

Bos, Vasq.. vosquid. Whatever that red, yellow and blue boxed Russian razor blade that everyone seems to like really is that good!

Voskhod, yea, that's it!

 

I learned that once I have read about something, it is more important to put it into practice rather than keep on reading about it. When acquiring information becomes the end rather than the means to the end, it is time to stop.

 

AMEN.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I learned realized that vintage blades by Gillette were really high quality products...no nicks or imitation through six shaves on one blade.

 

NASCAR!

 

I find GSB and Voskhod to be pretty much equivalent.

 

If I shaved in the morning I would have to agree. I save after supper and the coffee is out of my system by then. Perhaps he should try shaving after supper also.

 

I learned that painting with your brush works well with cream. I also learned to take a little cream on your figure and place it on the brush rather than dipping the brush in the cream (Bluebeards Revenge).

 

I learned that some products just don't "click". Aesop Shave Serum sample was on and off my face in about a minute. Aesop ASL however was good - soothing with a substantial, but not overpowering, Sandalwood aroma. Too expensive for my regular rotation, but will be at the top of my Christmas list.

 

Dips brush in cream jar...
Gets half of jar onto brush.

 

I learned that a cold water shave on my head is pretty effective.

 

I didn't learn this today, but it was reinforced by today's shave:

Cleaning your brush, bowl and razor AFTER you have rinsed your face allows you to go back and do a touch-up when needed.

 

Another lightbulb moment today....

I haven't used my Dorco blades for a few weeks now. I've been using Gillette and Astra. Today I decided to use the Dorco again and actually felt the difference.

While all blade brands may do the job, I'm finally starting to learn the difference and feel between different blades.

(And I still have 3 brands from my trial packs I haven't even tried yet. Persona, polsilver, Kai)

 

Still learning technique (and my face) - discovered a "neutral" XTG path on my neck that is the perfect 1st pass. Who knew shaving could be so fun... well, other than you guys...

 

LaToja is an excellent shave stick!

 

When I want a quick but thorough shave (wife and I leaving for dinner in an hour), the Trac II never lets me down.

 

I learned that just because the new Fatip Grande is incredibly smooth with almost
any blade I choose to put in it, it's still a very aggressive razor.



and if you can't stay completely focused on the task at hand, it's going to hurt you....



Nivea AS Balm Please!

 

I "learned" that I will truly, truly miss the Tradere OC razor as I move on to other razors in these months to come...I think I might have withdrawals.

 

I was reminded this morning of something that I used to notice when I had a beard but shaved my neck (with a Mach3).

This weekend I did not shave for 2 days. My stubble was pretty significant this morning. I put the third shave on a Gillette Silver Blue with my RazoRock.

To summarize in a word: wow! My face and neck are ultra smooth! ZERO redness on my neck, chin, under the nose, corners of the mouth, etc. If I shave every day I have some red irritation on my neck that lasts pretty much throughout the day. Not hugely horrible or painful - more frustrating than anything.

It's even more amazing when you realize I repeated parts of the ATG pass on my neck several times because it didn't feel raw and there were still places that needed cleaning up (still working on figuring out my hair directions).

So, it seems my neck needs a day or so to recover before I can comfortably rake a blade across it again. Like I said this should be nothing new because I had noticed that letting my neck grow for a few days when I was bearding it that my first shave after that would be better than average.

I've tried an astringent (Clubman) which does seem to help some. Nivea doesn't seem to do much.

Any advice on dealing with this so I can shave every day without redness?

Maybe I should go WTG and XTG for a couple of days and only go W-X-ATG on every third day. What do you think?