What did we learn from our last shaves?

That Arko can be lathered into a beautiful, rich, dense lather. I had the right water content today and face lathered for a long time. However, upon reapplication for touch-up I had no slickness and the razor sort of bounced around on my skin. Not a good feeling.

 

That less soap = more lather.

 

Right now I like my Merkur 34C best, followed closely by my Krona, then red tip. I have a couple OC razors that I have yet to try. A Gillette New LC and a Cadet 3 piece OC. The Gillette is waiting to be cleaned up and I fear the Cadet has uneven blade exposure

 

I learned that after 4 shaves, the Astra SP blade still delivers an amazing shave in a Merkur Classic 33C !!!

 

If you get the blades aligned well, the Cadet is a most efficient tool!

 

Not something I learned, but something that made me ponder.

I got a pretty darn near BBS shave this morning with a Ball End Tech loaded up with a Voskhod. Not that the blade matters as I have achieved the same results, even BBS, with other blades in this razor, indeed, all my razors. So I pondered - if the Tech is so often touted as a mild razor and I can get results like this, why do so many folks, especially the new ones, insist they need a more aggressive razor? I have over 30 DEs and about a dozen SEs and use all of them in rotation. Some of those would be considered aggressive by many here, achieving the same aforementioned results. So I come to a conclusion, I'll stand by my statement - You just gotta learn how to use the tools ya got.

Just pondering.

 

I think you're onto something...

 

…and appreciate the differences between the razors. Learn how to shave with each make or style and you'll rarely be disappointed with a bad shave.
I know there are appreciable differences present in the feel of various DE razors ( blade gap, aggressiveness, weight, etc) compounded by the myriad of blades available.
These variations are far more abundant in the realm of straight razors — whether new or vintage. To me, this quickly became apparent when I began using traditional kamisori-style razors. It takes some practice, but I can get VERY decent shaves from these challenging razors by simply learning how to properly use it.

 

^, ^^

Seems like I get the best shaves when I rotate between 'agro' and 'mild' razors. After a couple of days of say the Fatip, I've shaved so close that it seems redundant to keep using it. Load up a black handle flare or krona and I get a wonderful shave for two days. Then, it seems to be time to rotate back to something more aggressive???

 

Agreed and well said! Proper technique for the given tool is essential for obtaining maximized results.

 

Gentlemen, from my last shave...

I find the Fatip to be almost too efficient. My beard needs to grow faster, I guess. Shaves are smooth though!

 

That the Evahs is my second favorite razor eclipsed only by my R41.

 

For me, a badger brush seems to work better with Arko than a boar brush.

 

That Stirling MITA makes for a damn fine shave stick.

 

One should not shave the bottom of your nostril.

On the the other hand, the styptic pencil works quite quickly!

 

That Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill Balm not only packs a face freezing wallop but offers wonderfully soothing, moisturizing post shave skin care.

 

That Soap of The Gods (Van Yulay) makes amazing shave soaps and that Wilkinson Sword blades don't work for me.

 

You still have yet to try the Wilkinson Sword classic, made in Germany. The ones I sent were the Indian made blades

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That a Derby blade isn't so bad. It wasn't great, but not too bad either.

That Arko can take and needs a lot of water. A lot.

 

That it's OK to use a little too much A.S.liquid, but not too much balm.