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- #61
To the other member's point, the brush doesn't create the lather, you do.
Blaming the brush when you don't want to change your routine is not the brush's fault. It's an inanimate object that is simply meant to mix soap and water.
If the badger is working for you, then that is perfect; you don't need to worry that your routine doesn't work with the synthetic.
Perhaps if you wait some time though and then go back to the synthetic, you'll find you do enjoy it.
Wow, that is impressive, looks as thick as mousse coming out of a can. I love TOBS.Here's a couple of shots of the lather I got with TOBS Sandalwood from the Great Sandalwood shaveoff:
The Sandalwood Shaveoff
The Sandalwood Shaveoff
I was doing mostly long strokes and then quick strokes during touch ups on the mustache, chin and goatee areaIf I may ask, how long strokes do you do with the razor? short quick strokes or long?
I am certainly working up to that. Todays good shave was probably the equivalent of 3 pass because on the tocuh ups I really kept scraping until I could no longer feel the roughness. But the proraso lather was so tick and creamy that I couldnt feel some of the stubble underneath and did not see it until I had rinsed my face. Also in my bathroom it has a "yellow" light bulb and only under a white flurescent bulb can I see those unsightly stubble that you can see in the photos that I post since I post them using a professional studio lightI was responding to an earlier post when you said you were planning on doing only 2 passes since 3rd pass is diminishing returns. Sounds from your reply like you moved away from that idea.
To clarify: I am suggesting doing a third pass with or across the grain rather than stopping at 2 passes. If you are shaving at a good angle and no pressure this should be pretty irritation free. The razor should smoothly glide across your face. If not then I'd keep working at it until you can do it smoothly with no irritation. This obviously wont get you nearly as close as ATG but will be closer than stopping at 2 passes and good practice for your technique. Once you are able to do that I'd suggest adding against the grain on the third pass.
Yes I have an old timey barbershop not too far from here and I had them cut me a "pencil thin" beard and goatee once with a straight razor. Even the professional barber gave me some razor burn and a couple of nicks because he started shaving the adams apple area ATG (Which my skin is not accustomed to)To quote @UncleMonkey
"Someone might swear by using bat guano"
I don't know how he discovered my secret ingredient, but now I'll have to change my formula again.. Drat!
@Vineeze
Where, out of curiosity, are you?
Anywhere near a large city with access to some good barber shops that do shaves?
I am certainly working up to that. Todays good shave was probably the equivalent of 3 pass because on the tocuh ups I really kept scraping until I could no longer feel the roughness. But the proraso lather was so tick and creamy that I couldnt feel some of the stubble underneath and did not see it until I had rinsed my face. Also in my bathroom it has a "yellow" light bulb and only under a white flurescent bulb can I see those unsightly stubble that you can see in the photos that I post since I post them using a professional studio light
What do you think it causing these little spots that get left behind? Am I not maintaining the proper angle on that part? I went really, really slow today and applied almost zero pressure, the lightest touch possible. This is day 2 of the same Astra SP blade from yesterday
Thanks again for all the advice you guys have given me so far. I was about to buy an expensive agressive razor thinking that the problem was that my razor was "too mild". But its not the razor, its my lack of technique and using the wrong angle. Truth is that if I bought a Muhle R41 I would probably shred my face to ribbons if I apply the same wrong angles.
I better hone my technique to get a close shave with this mild Parker 22R and master that razor before looking to a face peeler like the R41. I have enough rope already to hang myself as it is.
@mars I think you make a very good point. I do have a very dark and thick beard like that wrestler from WWE (I forget his name)
upload link direct
A bit more patchy than your previous shaves, definitely some missed spots. Bravo for being willing to experiment! Kudos!
Then just don't sweat it. Good enough is good enough.