Some loot???? Some????
J's Straight Razor Shave Journal
- Thread starter Defend Tacoma
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #62
I'll tell you the same thing I plan on telling my wife. It cost in excess of $70, but well worth it! 
- Thread starter
- #63
Today I decided to use SliceofLife's Cedar soap that I picked up a ways back. I absolutely love that stuff. Shaved in preparation for a night on the town with the little lady. Had a very relaxing shave this evening. I find that just as I did with the DE's that I really look forward to my shaving ritual, as it is a calming and centering experience.
Just a tiny bit of blood today, as I was shaving along the jawline toward the chin. I got lax on stretching my skin, and the shaving Gods admonished me almost immediately, as the blade bit into the skin on my jawline. Just a small amount of blood, and the cut closed completely and quit bleeding halfway through the shave. Very minor. Did 1 WTG, 2 XTG in opposite directions, and was rewarded with a DFS. A solid B+. Upon inspection, my wife indicated that I'm close to the hair reduction, that I was getting with DE's. She said a couple of other things regarding the shave that were very positive in nature, but also somewhat private and perhaps not suitable for a gentleman's forum such as this!
Happy shaves, and good evening to all!
Just a tiny bit of blood today, as I was shaving along the jawline toward the chin. I got lax on stretching my skin, and the shaving Gods admonished me almost immediately, as the blade bit into the skin on my jawline. Just a small amount of blood, and the cut closed completely and quit bleeding halfway through the shave. Very minor. Did 1 WTG, 2 XTG in opposite directions, and was rewarded with a DFS. A solid B+. Upon inspection, my wife indicated that I'm close to the hair reduction, that I was getting with DE's. She said a couple of other things regarding the shave that were very positive in nature, but also somewhat private and perhaps not suitable for a gentleman's forum such as this!
Happy shaves, and good evening to all!
Upon inspection, my wife indicated that I'm close to the hair reduction, that I was getting with DE's. She said a couple of other things regarding the shave that were very positive in nature, but also somewhat private and perhaps not suitable for a gentleman's forum such as this!
I absolutely love it when SWMBO faceturbates on my face, it does indeed strike a very romantic tone.
I am thrilled to see that you are also making fine progress. The beauty of it is that when shave quality increases you can relax somewhat because you know that you will master this skill and just this relaxing phenomenon leads to even better shaves.I am just about to do shave 18 myself and I am especially looking forward to this one since I got myself a puck of l'occitane which I am trying out for the first time today.
Happy shaving,
Erik
If you get a smaller blade (4/8) the control on the angle is even more sensitive...
I try to do it progressively by going from 7/8 to 6/8 to 11/16 to 4/8 (I should have a 5/8 in between) it always feel like a huge gap between the 11/16 and 4/8. I mean, the blade is not that different but the angle seems to be easier to change...
I love the big blades! I still keep the small one as I see a challenge in it!
I try to do it progressively by going from 7/8 to 6/8 to 11/16 to 4/8 (I should have a 5/8 in between) it always feel like a huge gap between the 11/16 and 4/8. I mean, the blade is not that different but the angle seems to be easier to change...
I love the big blades! I still keep the small one as I see a challenge in it!
Ahhh...the str8 shaving gods are quick to point out when you're not paying attention! Perhaps you were too focused on what the wife would say afterwards! 
- Thread starter
- #67
Shave 16 -- 7/17
I knew that the Wade and Butcher that I had ordered might arrive in the mail, so I waited to see what the mailman brought before using my starter blade. I had a lazy day scheduled, so showered at around noon. Once done, I ran down to the mailbox to see if my new toy had showed up. I was quite dismayed that the mailman had left a card in the mailbox, rather than the razor as he required a signature. The note cheerily pointed out that I could pick it up after 8am on Monday. I'm sure you can relate that waiting two extra days sounded a touch painful; I suited up and began stalking the neighborhood for the messenger who absconded with My Precious. 10 minutes later I had my new gear, arrived back home, and skipped up the walk to the porch where my wife sat, obviously amused with my giddiness. In brutal fashion I ripped into the packaging to find the razor nestled safe in its coffin. I had my wife do the honors, and reveal the prize waiting inside. There was a moment of stunned silence as we both took in how lovely this razor is. I was having a good feeling about this.
Suddenly I was out of my chair, headed for the bathroom with a wide grin, mentally prepping myself to put blade to skin. The world outside of my man- cave had begun to melt away as I began the familiar ritual of filling my scuttle with hot water when I heard a distant but familiar voice. It was my lovely bride, and she was standing two feet behind me. "...honey, Nordstrom's is having a sale today. Would you like to come with me?" I could see where this was going... "It's best to get there early before the crowds." With a lump in my throat, I croaked: "Love of my life, I would be proud to escort you to the mall." I somberly emptied my scuttle, and we went shopping.
Shopping with my better half is always interesting. She is quite the looker, can get ready to go out as fast as I can, but the end result is always stunning. I was not stretching the truth when I said I would be proud to escort her. She was ready in a flash, dolled up in a beautiful floral pattern sun dress. It always impresses me when in a crowd with her to see an ocean of heads turning to sip in her beauty. Countless dandies making eyes, and no fewer than a dozen women giving compliments on her dress always makes for an enjoyable show. Three hours later we returned home, and unless a pack of wolverines had taken refuge in my bathroom while we were at the mall, this thing was going to happen.
On to the shave...
Ladies and germs, I have seen the light. I had the most remarkable shave on Saturday. I have been DE shaving for a while now, and am a noob to straights. Although I have had closer shaves, none have been nearly so enjoyable. The WB is a bit heftier then the Zartina blade I had been using. It muscled through my beard with all the decorum of a housewife at the aforementioned Nordstrom shoe sale. Not a BBS all over the place, but certainly as close as I have come with a straight. Solid DFS in some places, BBS in others, but something really just... felt right about my new blade. Things really seemed to come together. I think I found a new friend this weekend. I am absolutely thrilled.
One last thing about this shave. I don't think I'm imagining this, as my wife actually commented about it first, but the tiny bit of stubble left actually felt different than I am used to after shaving. Although there was a very minimal amount of stubble left- this is impossible to explain, but it felt less prickly. The next day, my beard seemed to be growing in slower than usual, perhaps due to the closer shave, but my stubble still feels a bit different even now. Tonight is shave #2 with the WB... I can't wait.
Oh, sorry about the book- most of which had nothing to do with the shave, I can get a little long winded, in case you haven't noticed!
I knew that the Wade and Butcher that I had ordered might arrive in the mail, so I waited to see what the mailman brought before using my starter blade. I had a lazy day scheduled, so showered at around noon. Once done, I ran down to the mailbox to see if my new toy had showed up. I was quite dismayed that the mailman had left a card in the mailbox, rather than the razor as he required a signature. The note cheerily pointed out that I could pick it up after 8am on Monday. I'm sure you can relate that waiting two extra days sounded a touch painful; I suited up and began stalking the neighborhood for the messenger who absconded with My Precious. 10 minutes later I had my new gear, arrived back home, and skipped up the walk to the porch where my wife sat, obviously amused with my giddiness. In brutal fashion I ripped into the packaging to find the razor nestled safe in its coffin. I had my wife do the honors, and reveal the prize waiting inside. There was a moment of stunned silence as we both took in how lovely this razor is. I was having a good feeling about this.
Suddenly I was out of my chair, headed for the bathroom with a wide grin, mentally prepping myself to put blade to skin. The world outside of my man- cave had begun to melt away as I began the familiar ritual of filling my scuttle with hot water when I heard a distant but familiar voice. It was my lovely bride, and she was standing two feet behind me. "...honey, Nordstrom's is having a sale today. Would you like to come with me?" I could see where this was going... "It's best to get there early before the crowds." With a lump in my throat, I croaked: "Love of my life, I would be proud to escort you to the mall." I somberly emptied my scuttle, and we went shopping.
Shopping with my better half is always interesting. She is quite the looker, can get ready to go out as fast as I can, but the end result is always stunning. I was not stretching the truth when I said I would be proud to escort her. She was ready in a flash, dolled up in a beautiful floral pattern sun dress. It always impresses me when in a crowd with her to see an ocean of heads turning to sip in her beauty. Countless dandies making eyes, and no fewer than a dozen women giving compliments on her dress always makes for an enjoyable show. Three hours later we returned home, and unless a pack of wolverines had taken refuge in my bathroom while we were at the mall, this thing was going to happen.
On to the shave...
Ladies and germs, I have seen the light. I had the most remarkable shave on Saturday. I have been DE shaving for a while now, and am a noob to straights. Although I have had closer shaves, none have been nearly so enjoyable. The WB is a bit heftier then the Zartina blade I had been using. It muscled through my beard with all the decorum of a housewife at the aforementioned Nordstrom shoe sale. Not a BBS all over the place, but certainly as close as I have come with a straight. Solid DFS in some places, BBS in others, but something really just... felt right about my new blade. Things really seemed to come together. I think I found a new friend this weekend. I am absolutely thrilled.
One last thing about this shave. I don't think I'm imagining this, as my wife actually commented about it first, but the tiny bit of stubble left actually felt different than I am used to after shaving. Although there was a very minimal amount of stubble left- this is impossible to explain, but it felt less prickly. The next day, my beard seemed to be growing in slower than usual, perhaps due to the closer shave, but my stubble still feels a bit different even now. Tonight is shave #2 with the WB... I can't wait.
Oh, sorry about the book- most of which had nothing to do with the shave, I can get a little long winded, in case you haven't noticed!
Shave 16 -- 7/17
I knew that the Wade and Butcher that I had ordered might arrive in the mail, so I waited to see what the mailman brought before using my starter blade. I had a lazy day scheduled, so showered at around noon. Once done, I ran down to the mailbox to see if my new toy had showed up. I was quite dismayed that the mailman had left a card in the mailbox, rather than the razor as he required a signature. The note cheerily pointed out that I could pick it up after 8am on Monday. I'm sure you can relate that waiting two extra days sounded a touch painful; I suited up and began stalking the neighborhood for the messenger who absconded with My Precious. 10 minutes later I had my new gear, arrived back home, and skipped up the walk to the porch where my wife sat, obviously amused with my giddiness. In brutal fashion I ripped into the packaging to find the razor nestled safe in its coffin. I had my wife do the honors, and reveal the prize waiting inside. There was a moment of stunned silence as we both took in how lovely this razor is. I was having a good feeling about this.
Suddenly I was out of my chair, headed for the bathroom with a wide grin, mentally prepping myself to put blade to skin. The world outside of my man- cave had begun to melt away as I began the familiar ritual of filling my scuttle with hot water when I heard a distant but familiar voice. It was my lovely bride, and she was standing two feet behind me. "...honey, Nordstrom's is having a sale today. Would you like to come with me?" I could see where this was going... "It's best to get there early before the crowds." With a lump in my throat, I croaked: "Love of my life, I would be proud to escort you to the mall." I somberly emptied my scuttle, and we went shopping.
Shopping with my better half is always interesting. She is quite the looker, can get ready to go out as fast as I can, but the end result is always stunning. I was not stretching the truth when I said I would be proud to escort her. She was ready in a flash, dolled up in a beautiful floral pattern sun dress. It always impresses me when in a crowd with her to see an ocean of heads turning to sip in her beauty. Countless dandies making eyes, and no fewer than a dozen women giving compliments on her dress always makes for an enjoyable show. Three hours later we returned home, and unless a pack of wolverines had taken refuge in my bathroom while we were at the mall, this thing was going to happen.
On to the shave...
Ladies and germs, I have seen the light. I had the most remarkable shave on Saturday. I have been DE shaving for a while now, and am a noob to straights. Although I have had closer shaves, none have been nearly so enjoyable. The WB is a bit heftier then the Zartina blade I had been using. It muscled through my beard with all the decorum of a housewife at the aforementioned Nordstrom shoe sale. Not a BBS all over the place, but certainly as close as I have come with a straight. Solid DFS in some places, BBS in others, but something really just... felt right about my new blade. Things really seemed to come together. I think I found a new friend this weekend. I am absolutely thrilled.
One last thing about this shave. I don't think I'm imagining this, as my wife actually commented about it first, but the tiny bit of stubble left actually felt different than I am used to after shaving. Although there was a very minimal amount of stubble left- this is impossible to explain, but it felt less prickly. The next day, my beard seemed to be growing in slower than usual, perhaps due to the closer shave, but my stubble still feels a bit different even now. Tonight is shave #2 with the WB... I can't wait.
Oh, sorry about the book- most of which had nothing to do with the shave, I can get a little long winded, in case you haven't noticed!
No apologies about the post...they are a joy to read. I really enjoy the way you write about Mrs Def. Tacoma...very eloquent!
Great story! Thanks for taking the time to write this up. Please give my regards to your lovely wife as well.
Shave 16 -- 7/17
I knew that the Wade and Butcher that I had ordered might arrive in the mail, so I waited to see what the mailman brought before using my starter blade. I had a lazy day scheduled, so showered at around noon. Once done, I ran down to the mailbox to see if my new toy had showed up. I was quite dismayed that the mailman had left a card in the mailbox, rather than the razor as he required a signature. The note cheerily pointed out that I could pick it up after 8am on Monday. I'm sure you can relate that waiting two extra days sounded a touch painful; I suited up and began stalking the neighborhood for the messenger who absconded with My Precious. 10 minutes later I had my new gear, arrived back home, and skipped up the walk to the porch where my wife sat, obviously amused with my giddiness. In brutal fashion I ripped into the packaging to find the razor nestled safe in its coffin. I had my wife do the honors, and reveal the prize waiting inside. There was a moment of stunned silence as we both took in how lovely this razor is. I was having a good feeling about this.
Suddenly I was out of my chair, headed for the bathroom with a wide grin, mentally prepping myself to put blade to skin. The world outside of my man- cave had begun to melt away as I began the familiar ritual of filling my scuttle with hot water when I heard a distant but familiar voice. It was my lovely bride, and she was standing two feet behind me. "...honey, Nordstrom's is having a sale today. Would you like to come with me?" I could see where this was going... "It's best to get there early before the crowds." With a lump in my throat, I croaked: "Love of my life, I would be proud to escort you to the mall." I somberly emptied my scuttle, and we went shopping.
Shopping with my better half is always interesting. She is quite the looker, can get ready to go out as fast as I can, but the end result is always stunning. I was not stretching the truth when I said I would be proud to escort her. She was ready in a flash, dolled up in a beautiful floral pattern sun dress. It always impresses me when in a crowd with her to see an ocean of heads turning to sip in her beauty. Countless dandies making eyes, and no fewer than a dozen women giving compliments on her dress always makes for an enjoyable show. Three hours later we returned home, and unless a pack of wolverines had taken refuge in my bathroom while we were at the mall, this thing was going to happen.
On to the shave...
Ladies and germs, I have seen the light. I had the most remarkable shave on Saturday. I have been DE shaving for a while now, and am a noob to straights. Although I have had closer shaves, none have been nearly so enjoyable. The WB is a bit heftier then the Zartina blade I had been using. It muscled through my beard with all the decorum of a housewife at the aforementioned Nordstrom shoe sale. Not a BBS all over the place, but certainly as close as I have come with a straight. Solid DFS in some places, BBS in others, but something really just... felt right about my new blade. Things really seemed to come together. I think I found a new friend this weekend. I am absolutely thrilled.
One last thing about this shave. I don't think I'm imagining this, as my wife actually commented about it first, but the tiny bit of stubble left actually felt different than I am used to after shaving. Although there was a very minimal amount of stubble left- this is impossible to explain, but it felt less prickly. The next day, my beard seemed to be growing in slower than usual, perhaps due to the closer shave, but my stubble still feels a bit different even now. Tonight is shave #2 with the WB... I can't wait.
Oh, sorry about the book- most of which had nothing to do with the shave, I can get a little long winded, in case you haven't noticed!
Shave 16 -- 7/17
I suited up and began stalking the neighborhood for the messenger who absconded with My Precious. 10 minutes later I had my new gear, arrived back home, and skipped up the walk to the porch [/QUOTE}
You failed to mention what state you left the mailman in for abducting your Precious
Excellent work!!
Please post picture of lovely wife!
- Thread starter
- #73
Please post picture of lovely wife!
Look up and to the left- She's my avatar picture!
Soon I am planning a pin-up style photo shoot with a classic shaving theme... Stay tuned, I'll post my favorites in the Barber Shop forum!- Thread starter
- #74
Shaves 17 & 18
The shaves are continuing to get better and better. I am enjoying every aspect of straight shaving, and things seem to be humming along great. Solid DFS shaves seem to be the norm for now, but I am staying vigilant so I don't fall into a slump, and regress a bit as I did when I was first starting with the DE's. I think having solid lathering skills certainly helps when starting out with straight shaving. According to the very scientific "SWSTB" (Sweet Wife's Stubble Test Battery), my shaves are already beginning to approach where I was at with my DE's. A good make-out session resulted in zero irritation to the wife's delicate face. This is a very good thing!
While it is very tempting to just zone out while enjoying my shaves, I am endeavoring to stick to the basics that have worked for me so far, while choosing one aspect of the shave that I can focus on and improve my associated skills. The past two shaves I have really been working on something that I suspect could use a bit of improvement... Skin stretching! Just during the past two shaves, I feel I have improved a bunch on that aspect. I've been tugging ears, jutting jawlines, really anything I can think of to get my facial skin nice and taught. I have even been using my tongue to press outward on my cheeks, and below my lower lip (like I have a chew in or something), and it seems to be paying off. No new nicks or cuts the past couple shaves, and better hair reduction. I love the alum block trick to get better finger traction, btw.
During yesterday's shave I noticed that for the first time with a straight (since my maiden shave) that I do not have any cuts, nicks, or irritation areas to work the blade around! That was a proud moment when I realized that! Another fun moment during my last shave was watching the blade do it's work around my jawline. I was suddenly quite taken by how beautiful that hunk of steel is, and the smooth, snakelike motions it made as I was drawing it around my jaw. For a moment it seemed to be doing all of the work, as I was just holding it near my face. Very pretty, incredibly relaxing, strikingly zenlike...
Good lord, my DE's are in trouble!
The shaves are continuing to get better and better. I am enjoying every aspect of straight shaving, and things seem to be humming along great. Solid DFS shaves seem to be the norm for now, but I am staying vigilant so I don't fall into a slump, and regress a bit as I did when I was first starting with the DE's. I think having solid lathering skills certainly helps when starting out with straight shaving. According to the very scientific "SWSTB" (Sweet Wife's Stubble Test Battery), my shaves are already beginning to approach where I was at with my DE's. A good make-out session resulted in zero irritation to the wife's delicate face. This is a very good thing!
While it is very tempting to just zone out while enjoying my shaves, I am endeavoring to stick to the basics that have worked for me so far, while choosing one aspect of the shave that I can focus on and improve my associated skills. The past two shaves I have really been working on something that I suspect could use a bit of improvement... Skin stretching! Just during the past two shaves, I feel I have improved a bunch on that aspect. I've been tugging ears, jutting jawlines, really anything I can think of to get my facial skin nice and taught. I have even been using my tongue to press outward on my cheeks, and below my lower lip (like I have a chew in or something), and it seems to be paying off. No new nicks or cuts the past couple shaves, and better hair reduction. I love the alum block trick to get better finger traction, btw.
During yesterday's shave I noticed that for the first time with a straight (since my maiden shave) that I do not have any cuts, nicks, or irritation areas to work the blade around! That was a proud moment when I realized that! Another fun moment during my last shave was watching the blade do it's work around my jawline. I was suddenly quite taken by how beautiful that hunk of steel is, and the smooth, snakelike motions it made as I was drawing it around my jaw. For a moment it seemed to be doing all of the work, as I was just holding it near my face. Very pretty, incredibly relaxing, strikingly zenlike...
Good lord, my DE's are in trouble!I know what you mean, I gave my DE a spin this morning, doing the same passes as with my straight, to see if I was missing something and how much better I have to become to compete with it. I was surprised to discover that I am probably not too far off. The DE is still a winner in the neck area but it is just a matter of time until I have figured it out. I also thought that compared to straight shaving, DE-shaving is like mowing the lawn: unstimulating, uneventful and actually quite boring.
Before I started straight shaving I had plans: I wanted to try an adjustable, an open comb, a slant, an injector and an SE. Now I might not do any of those or at least not until I have utterly mastered this art
.
As a next step in progressing toward shave perfection, might I suggest you fix yourself up with a makeshift scuttle and try shaving with hot lather, if you have not already tried that is. I made mine from a wide brimmed bowl sitting on a latte mug. It works a treat.
Before I started straight shaving I had plans: I wanted to try an adjustable, an open comb, a slant, an injector and an SE. Now I might not do any of those or at least not until I have utterly mastered this art
. As a next step in progressing toward shave perfection, might I suggest you fix yourself up with a makeshift scuttle and try shaving with hot lather, if you have not already tried that is. I made mine from a wide brimmed bowl sitting on a latte mug. It works a treat.
Glad you enjoy the shaves!
Lovely avatar BTW!
Lovely avatar BTW!
Look up and to the left- She's my avatar picture!
Thats AWESOME!!
Oh..and uh....congrats on your recent shaves or whatever
Did you tell her you were posting that???
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- Thread starter
- #78
Ya, the DE's that were once so captivating seem a bit bland in comparison to my new Wade/ Butcher. So many nuances and techniques to learn, it seems a waste to spend time with such newfangled "uncivilized" devices such as the DE's!
I saw you post about a scuttle in one of my earlier posts. I meant to mention it earlier that I would definately try the latte mug trick, but my Dirty Bird 1.5 would probably look at me like I was crazy!
I love my scuttle. Wifey was a bit jealous of me and my DB at first, but my romance with the pottery has cooled off substantially since I got it. Unless I'm using a shave stick or travelling, I'm definitely using the DB!I thought so! I married her!
Thats AWESOME!!
Oh..and uh....congrats on your recent shaves or whatever
Did you tell her you were posting that???
Haha I think she is just happy we are such a bunch of proper gents here on the forums. In the real world, wifey and I can, on occasion be mistaken for somewhat crass individuals (when left to our own devices- we can hold it together pretty well in mixed company) I didn't tell her, but can't imagine she would be too terribly concerned! I'll read the post to her once she's off work and report back...
It's amazing how much detail we can go into when describing something as simple as shaving.
Good progress on the straight shaves, and a lovely wife. What more could a man want?
Good progress on the straight shaves, and a lovely wife. What more could a man want?
- Thread starter
- #80
Nope! Not offended. She thought it a bit funny that I'd even have to ask. She's definitely the one for me, man! 
