I learned a graduated increase in menthol level is a great way to beat the heat when at 7am it is already 80+ degrees and 80+% humidity. Started with Stirling MITA then moved to slightly M-bombed WH, and ended with ISZ AS.
I 're-discoverd' the bliss of a 1961 G3 Gillette Fat Boy Shave! I engrossed myself in 3 Passes & the enjoyment of a wonderful Non-Agressive Machine of impeccable wonder! "How is this even possible..." I asked my-self 3 hours later? I've even over indulged my face with 'after-doses' of a variety of After-Shaves..., just to elongate the effects of that wonderful SHAVE! Am I Sinning, herein? Ahh...the WONDER of it all; at 72 years of age! (I live in a very small world of my own choosing!)
I confirmed that I really like these blades. I bought 100 after trying only two of them in razors I don't even use anymore. But the first two I've tried have been awesome. Great blade for me.
I learned-ed that I need to keep an eye out for more wedge or near-wedge grinds on razors. I really enjoyed the last wedge-grind shave and have neglected giving them more opportunity in the razor carousel.
What I learned from my last shave is that it was like the one before it, and the one before that, and the one before that... ad infinitum. In other words, my technique is perfected and second nature. The only way I will get a lousy shave now is by being a careless dolt and shaving too quickly.
I've learned that I actually have the patience to wait on a long waiting list for a razor that has a reputation as being one of the best. I'm so thankful I did! Something I knew was that the membership here at TSD will go the extra mile to help and educate a fellow member. For that I'm very thankful.
Congrats on that! That's my holy grail. I've only been at this three months, but in that time I'm beginning to see that early advice I got here makes sense: - technique, technique, technique - if you master technique, you'll be able to enjoy any shave, with any equipment. (unless of course, one becomes "a careless dolt and shaving too quickly.") Thanks for the affirmation!
After using a synthetic Fauxmere brush while traveling this week, I learned that it really churns out lather quickly! (Face lather) I purchased it and liked its size as a travel brush, I may have to rethink that or purchase another, larger one for home.
I've become a big fan of synthetic brushes, so much so as to relegate my badgers to third choice on the daily, "Which brush to use today?" list, after boars and syns.
My take is that it is best to have one brush for travel and one brush for home. That way if you - heaven forbid - lose the travel brush on the road, you always have your home brush when you get back.
Me too. Put my money where my mouth is and PIF'd my only Badger to a guy who bowl lathers. Plisson Synthetic brushes are the best face lather brush I've tried. Badger just doesn't work as well for me.
From my last shave, it's more of what I am GRADUALLY learning...that is, that as I get closer to the bottom of my Rise Super Foamy, a little more of the original(50's) Rise scent comes out. At the beginning, it's all reformulation(smell-wise).
Even with your "perfect" razor/blade set up, one must NOT rush a shave. First time in probably 6 months I had 3 weepers due to trying to hurry.
That the handle really can make a difference to the shave. Recently added a Thin Handle Tech, to buddy up with my Fat Handle Tech. Was surprised at it feeling quite different.
That different soaps require different lather techniques in my hard water. I was finding that loading up a dryer brush works best with my tallow soaps like Stirling and Mikes. I need a much wetter brush for my glycerin soaps like Conk and HTGAM.