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A journal of a Cajun's life wet shaving

Sounds pretty good regarding your blade reduction program. I have become/becoming a simpler and simpler man as time goes. I only have one blade out at the time. It gets used for 7 days then binned and on to the next one in the tuck.

Maybe Self will do some self-reflection and re-evaluate life and what he wants in life. Seems like he is living kind of a wild life and maybe he just needs to slow down a bit and smell the roses. I have a question: is Self going through mid-life crisis? What is he trying to prove?
If Self comes home on a Harley we have to have a talk. Haha. Self will work it out. He may have to make a few trips to the liquor store, but he'll work it out. Haha.
 

Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker

Likes a fat handle in his hand
If Self comes home on a Harley we have to have a talk. Haha. Self will work it out. He may have to make a few trips to the liquor store, but he'll work it out. Haha.

Then self will need a biker chick to go with his new choppa.

Get to the choppa now!

Conangreenland Get To The Choppa GIF by Team Coco
 
Shave Date 9/27/23
GRUME September: 27/30
Razor:
1948 Gillette TTO Super Speed
Blade: Tatra(5) in the bin it goes.
Pre-Shave: Razor Emporium Pre-shave soap
Soap: Rockwell Barbershop Shaving Cream
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar No. 2 Synthetic
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, Razor Emporium Heritage Balm, Aqua Velva Ice Sport.
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.5/10 BBS Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 0 weepers.

Notes

The last shave on the Tatra blade was a fine shave. Into the bin it goes. I am not sure what I'll choose next, my other three blades have 2-to 3 shaves each on them. I may go full Boris and channel him to just use one blade for the duration. Clean off my magnet and just go with one blade at a time, although it will not change how fast I go through my blade supply. I'll likely not knock a tuck out like he does.

Another cream today. This time I loaded it straight on the brush as the cream came in a tub. It lathered up quite nicely again, once again a tad different than the norm, but it ended up fine. Nice, slick, and with plenty of creaminess. The scent is a nice barbershop scent. I have so many of them it is hard to pick the best one, they are all up there. I used the Razor Emporium Heritage balm as the scent is in the barbershop ballpark. This scent has some staying power as most scents have faded by this time. The Aqua Velva was a nice finishing splash that didn't interfere with the other scents.

The shave itself was 2.5 passes as I was off to a late start with my shower. One N-S, a true ATG, and touch-ups. I did ride the cap more with the ATG parts of the shave. I am refining my technique and getting fine results. It is sorta of tricky going from WTG to ATG riding the cap as riding the cap takes a bit more pressure. At one point the razor seemed to tug, but no nicks or anything occurred. I got BBS on the cheeks and DFS on the neck as always. I am coming to the realization the neck will not be BBS without some kind of irritation or nicks. Looking at the neck it looks BBS, you can't tell there is any hair left. Like life, we have to be satisfied with good enough sometimes when we give it our all. Do your very best and take the results. Not to say we don't continue to refine our processes. We do continue to learn, but for now, DFS on the neck is more than acceptable, It is still better than a cartridge.

I am looking forward to shaving every day now that I am progressing down this wet shaving journey. I remember being resentful of having to shave daily when I graduated. I could not get away with every other day shaving, partly due to the poor shave I got from the cartridges or the electric razors. I disliked shaving so much, I used to shave on the way to work with my rechargeable electric razor. One of my fellow pharmacists said he saw me headed to work one day while taking his daughter to school. He pointed me out to his daughter, she said in amazement, "Is he shaving while driving?" Haha Yep I was, shaving on the way to work, I guess the male equivalent of the ladies putting on make-up heading to work. Haha.

When before I regretted my fast-growing beard, but now I want it to grow faster so I can get more practice with shaving.

Philadelphia 76Ers Basketball GIF


I am getting a closer shave now than I ever did with the cartridges or the electric razors. I'm thinking back on the hogwash marketing of the electric razors. The literature said you had to "train" your beard so the razor could shave correctly. You were in fact training your expectations to fall in line with the razor's capabilities. Electric razors have their place in shaving when needed. I don't travel for work and I have the luxury of wet shaving as my only means of shaving for work purposes. If I travel in the future I'd figure something out.

Self left early for work, during flu season and he has to give shots and then sling pills. I gotta get off the computer and go do the same. I wish everyone a blessed day, may all your shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

IMG_1219.jpeg
 
Shave Date 9/27/23
GRUME September: 27/30
Razor:
1948 Gillette TTO Super Speed
Blade: Tatra(5) in the bin it goes.
Pre-Shave: Razor Emporium Pre-shave soap
Soap: Rockwell Barbershop Shaving Cream
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar No. 2 Synthetic
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, Razor Emporium Heritage Balm, Aqua Velva Ice Sport.
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.5/10 BBS Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 0 weepers.

Notes

The last shave on the Tatra blade was a fine shave. Into the bin it goes. I am not sure what I'll choose next, my other three blades have 2-to 3 shaves each on them. I may go full Boris and channel him to just use one blade for the duration. Clean off my magnet and just go with one blade at a time, although it will not change how fast I go through my blade supply. I'll likely not knock a tuck out like he does.

Another cream today. This time I loaded it straight on the brush as the cream came in a tub. It lathered up quite nicely again, once again a tad different than the norm, but it ended up fine. Nice, slick, and with plenty of creaminess. The scent is a nice barbershop scent. I have so many of them it is hard to pick the best one, they are all up there. I used the Razor Emporium Heritage balm as the scent is in the barbershop ballpark. This scent has some staying power as most scents have faded by this time. The Aqua Velva was a nice finishing splash that didn't interfere with the other scents.

The shave itself was 2.5 passes as I was off to a late start with my shower. One N-S, a true ATG, and touch-ups. I did ride the cap more with the ATG parts of the shave. I am refining my technique and getting fine results. It is sorta of tricky going from WTG to ATG riding the cap as riding the cap takes a bit more pressure. At one point the razor seemed to tug, but no nicks or anything occurred. I got BBS on the cheeks and DFS on the neck as always. I am coming to the realization the neck will not be BBS without some kind of irritation or nicks. Looking at the neck it looks BBS, you can't tell there is any hair left. Like life, we have to be satisfied with good enough sometimes when we give it our all. Do your very best and take the results. Not to say we don't continue to refine our processes. We do continue to learn, but for now, DFS on the neck is more than acceptable, It is still better than a cartridge.

I am looking forward to shaving every day now that I am progressing down this wet shaving journey. I remember being resentful of having to shave daily when I graduated. I could not get away with every other day shaving, partly due to the poor shave I got from the cartridges or the electric razors. I disliked shaving so much, I used to shave on the way to work with my rechargeable electric razor. One of my fellow pharmacists said he saw me headed to work one day while taking his daughter to school. He pointed me out to his daughter, she said in amazement, "Is he shaving while driving?" Haha Yep I was, shaving on the way to work, I guess the male equivalent of the ladies putting on make-up heading to work. Haha.

When before I regretted my fast-growing beard, but now I want it to grow faster so I can get more practice with shaving.

Philadelphia 76Ers Basketball GIF


I am getting a closer shave now than I ever did with the cartridges or the electric razors. I'm thinking back on the hogwash marketing of the electric razors. The literature said you had to "train" your beard so the razor could shave correctly. You were in fact training your expectations to fall in line with the razor's capabilities. Electric razors have their place in shaving when needed. I don't travel for work and I have the luxury of wet shaving as my only means of shaving for work purposes. If I travel in the future I'd figure something out.

Self left early for work, during flu season and he has to give shots and then sling pills. I gotta get off the computer and go do the same. I wish everyone a blessed day, may all your shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

View attachment 1724107
You don't have to go full Boris mode and use tuck by tuck. You can just use one blade at the time at least that would make things easier to keep track of. 😁

The neck is probably the most difficult area to shave without irritation. I am one of the lucky ones that actually can and do achieve BBS on the neck, at least when I do my part. I have found that I cannot skip a pass on my neck. It may seem counterintuitive, but the neck for me seems to be more sensitive when I go ATG with the hairs a bit longer. they have to be reduced by the other passes first. The other parts of my face can tolerate that much better. Even when I do a 2-pass shave I actually do a 2.5-pass shave. the extra 0.5-pass is the extra pass just on my neck for that reason. I am not saying that you will reach BBS on the neck. Maybe your skin flat out cannot handle it, but I think with some tests and experimentation you might get closer.

As far as the beard growing faster so we can shave more. Heck yeah!

I was an electric razor shaver for decades and like you said you get used to the stubble that is left after using one. I never really thought of it. I have, since I started wet shaving had to go back a couple of times and used my electric razor and all I can say is yuk! It is absolutely no satisfaction in it. Nowadays if I have a bit of a stubble and we are heading somewhere I have to shave. It is that simple. Before it was just to head out.

Travelling while wet shaving is in itself a topic. Of course if you are driving or flying with checked luggage, no problem. Stuff will go with me. The tricky part is when you fly with just a carry on. Unfortunately TSA will not allow any DE blades on the plane. Supposedly the razor is ok in carry on, but I have even heard of TSA agents confiscating them not knowing any better. Simply if you are carry-on only, don't bring your DE razor. I have tested and experimented with the humble BIC sensitive. The orange handled ones that you see everywhere and these disposable I tried long time ago before wet shaving and they were horrible. I cut myself etc etc with them. However, once you learn wet shaving, this single blade disposable along with its better cousin BIC metal will shave you similarly to a DE. It is super light so you have to get used to a bit of pressure, but other than that it works like a charm. Just bring a travel brush and some cream or soap and you are good to go. Perfect use for a stick of heavenly Arko!
 
As far as the beard growing faster so we can shave more. Heck yeah!
I don't think my beard is growing any faster now. I can't remember where I saw it, but the notion that shaving more often causes more facial hair growth is false. Before this round of wet shaving, I'd have called BS on that. Now I'm not so sure. I have much less facial hair at 24 hours than when I used cartridges. I feel it is because I am getting closer shaves with wet shaving. I could go 48 hours between shaves and be fine. Partly from the lax expectations on our appearance versus back when I started working. Back then to have a partial 5 o'clock shadow beard daily was unacceptable, now some chase that looks. Messy hair when I started means I failed to comb out the helmet hair when I got to work. Lately, I've had customers ask if I had a new haircut. Nah, I just didn't comb out my helmet hair this morning. Haha

Perfect use for a stick of heavenly Arko!
I'm thinking if I ever travel I'll go the Arko!/bic route. One day I'll get some PTO, one day.
 
I don't think my beard is growing any faster now. I can't remember where I saw it, but the notion that shaving more often causes more facial hair growth is false. Before this round of wet shaving, I'd have called BS on that. Now I'm not so sure. I have much less facial hair at 24 hours than when I used cartridges. I feel it is because I am getting closer shaves with wet shaving. I could go 48 hours between shaves and be fine. Partly from the lax expectations on our appearance versus back when I started working. Back then to have a partial 5 o'clock shadow beard daily was unacceptable, now some chase that looks. Messy hair when I started means I failed to comb out the helmet hair when I got to work. Lately, I've had customers ask if I had a new haircut. Nah, I just didn't comb out my helmet hair this morning. Haha


I'm thinking if I ever travel I'll go the Arko!/bic route. One day I'll get some PTO, one day.
Oh you ride motorcycle. The LOTH and myself used to as well. She never trusted to ride with me though so she had to have her own ride. Oh yes helmets create a brand new hairdo that is for sure. My wife even had a sticker on her helmet that said "Hairdo by helmet". We have since sold our bikes and ride no more. Once in a while I do miss it though. there is something freeing about it.
 
Oh you ride motorcycle. The LOTH and myself used to as well. She never trusted to ride with me though so she had to have her own ride. Oh yes helmets create a brand new hairdo that is for sure. My wife even had a sticker on her helmet that said "Hairdo by helmet". We have since sold our bikes and ride no more. Once in a while I do miss it though. there is something freeing about it.
I'm a daily rider, my motorcycles (yes plural, I suffer from MAD, Motorcycle acquisition disorder, as well) are my primary means of transportation. My current wife, while we were still dating, rode with me from Pearland Texas all the way to Stugis SD and back. It was an epic trip. She toughted it out the whole way and back. My ex often rode with me as well. Only of of my lady friends, when I was between wives, didn't show an interest in Riding motorcycle. Yes it is dangerous to ride daily, I have a healthy respect for the motorcycle and the lack of skill of most drivers. I'm an ATGATT rider, all the gear all the time, meaning Helmet, jacket, gloves, overpants and boots always. Bikes keep me sane and off of Jell-O Shots.
 
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Speaking of stickers on the helmet. I’ve had some “unique” techs over the years. One had a particular wicked sense of humor. We got along just fine. Haha. She stuck this on the back of my helmet one day.
IMG_1221.jpeg
It was the sticker off of her Cajun spiced luncheon meat from the grocery store. I don’t see this for weeks or months till one day I saw it on the helmet. It dose fit me though. Haha.
 
I'm a daily rider, my motorcycles (yes plural, I suffer from MAD, Motorcycle acquisition disorder, as well) are my primary means of transportation. My current wife, while we were still dating, rode with me from Pearland Texas all the way to Stugis SD and back. It was an epic trip. She toughted it out the whole way and back. My ex often rode with me as well. Only of of my lady friends, when I was between wives, didn't show an interest in Riding motorcycle. Yes it is dangerous to ride daily, I have a healthy respect for the motorcycle and the lack of skill of most drivers. I'm an ATGATT rider, all the gear all the time, meaning Helmet, jacket, gloves, overpants and boots always. Bikes keep me sane and off of Jell-O Shots.
Yeah that is the worst and that is other drivers while riding. However, taking the motorcycle license and going through the class I became a better car driver as well. I'm sure MAD is a lot more expensive than any AD here.
 
Speaking of stickers on the helmet. I’ve had some “unique” techs over the years. One had a particular wicked sense of humor. We got along just fine. Haha. She stuck this on the back of my helmet one day.View attachment 1724223It was the sticker off of her Cajun spiced luncheon meat from the grocery store. I don’t see this for weeks or months till one day I saw it on the helmet. It dose fit me though. Haha.
I think that was a very fitting sticker.
 
Yeah that is the worst and that is other drivers while riding. However, taking the motorcycle license and going through the class I became a better car driver as well. I'm sure MAD is a lot more expensive than any AD here.
Yep, MAD is more expensive. I just got an email from Cycle Trader with a Ducati 800 Monster for just $2995. I had to delete it. I don't need another bike, I don't need another bike even if my wife is out of town. I don't need another bike.

No No No GIF
 
I truly wonder how many AD you have!

stick to RAD, no MAD, WAD, and other expensive AD's.
Tis but a few. A few too many. I have my MAD under control. No room in the garage for any more. Haha. And I have a hard enough time keeping the two I have running in running condition. I have a project bike I need to fix. I did delete the email. And I need to unsubscribe from Cycle trader. You talk about enablers.
 
Tis but a few. A few too many. I have my MAD under control. No room in the garage for any more. Haha. And I have a hard enough time keeping the two I have running in running condition. I have a project bike I need to fix. I did delete the email. And I need to unsubscribe from Cycle trader. You talk about enablers.
Talking about motorcycles and getting into trouble. I had a friend that many year ago wanted to get a bike. My wife and I already had ours and he was just busting to get one. He texts me one day and tells me that he bought a bike on an ad he saw. He was very excited and all giddy about it. Then I asked him the key question. "Did you tell Lucy?" This is his wife's name. He responded "No not yet". I was thinking oh no this is not good. She is not the type of wife that you trifle with. She could be kind of scary. I told him very directly that he needed to. I do not know how his conversation went, but I am sure it was not to most pleasant. However, the following weekend we all went and picked up his bike.
 
Talking about motorcycles and getting into trouble. I had a friend that many year ago wanted to get a bike. My wife and I already had ours and he was just busting to get one. He texts me one day and tells me that he bought a bike on an ad he saw. He was very excited and all giddy about it. Then I asked him the key question. "Did you tell Lucy?" This is his wife's name. He responded "No not yet". I was thinking oh no this is not good. She is not the type of wife that you trifle with. She could be kind of scary. I told him very directly that he needed to. I do not know how his conversation went, but I am sure it was not to most pleasant. However, the following weekend we all went and picked up his bike.
My current wife is pretty chill about me collecting motorcycles. My first was akin to Lucy. I once traded in a Suzuki 1200 Bandit for a Buell Lightning XB12S. I rode the bike back through Houston, the first time ever I rode in Houston Traffic. Quite the adventure. I rode straight to a drag race track where my brother-in-law was. The Ex was none too happy with me. Back story to this, my ex sold one of my bikes against my wishes because in her eyes I wasn't riding it enough. She sold a boat too because I wasn't using it enough. By that logic, I should have sold her because our sex life was nonexistent. Haha.

I am blessed with my current wife. She does make comments about having enough shave soap though.
 

Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker

Likes a fat handle in his hand
I have 13 shave soaps/creams in my den at the moment. As I shave 2-3 times a week I should be good for a while. :)

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Not that this is a competition, but I just want to make sure that you know, that I got you beat my friend. I have 16-soaps on my soap shelf itself. I have 2-soaps on my counter, plus another 6 in my pile of broken dreams under the sink. Plus, I also have a couple Barbasol 1919 brushless creams. That means I have a total of 26. Oh how great it is, to be filled with SAD, life could be worse, it aint so bad. 😂
 
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