Begining the Journey - A Convert's Journal

[SuperSpeed]

Thank you gentlemen.

In anticipation of begining next week I decided to try a few techniques I have learned with the Gillette disposables I am 'comfortable' with. The results were mixed.

I did not change my preperation other than following Mantic's advice of not drying my face after my shower. I also soaking my brush in hot water as I showered.

I did change my lather technique and produced a much more rich lather than I usually do. I also used the brush to not only apply the lather but to really work it in. This made my first pass much more smooth and effective.

Generally, I would do a second pass (AGT) only on my cheek and jaw lines and without really applying any more lather. Today, after the first pass was complete, I relathered and attempted a second pass AGT on not only my cheek and jaw line but to the rest of my face as well.

For the most part everything went well. The check area and jaw line were definitely improved with the second lather. My neck area went surprisingly smooth although my razor might have been a touch dull for the attempt - I have a few very minor nicks. My upper and lower lip hair were too coarse for a second pass against the grain. This again might have been the dull blades. There was immediate discomfort and it felt more like the razor was pulling the hair rather than cutting it. I quit while I was ahead.

I will attempt the same in two days but with a new razor. I have also taken a much more detailed note of the specific areas of my face regarding the directions my hair grows. I think this is certainly an area of the utmost importance. Hopefully the new disposable razor will yeild better results.

 

[SuperSpeed]

My order showed up today. Exciting!

 

[SuperSpeed]

So, upon recieving my order today, I decided to have a go at wet shaving with a DE razor. I opted for a Derby blade.

The Proraso shaving cream was a huge improvement over the Wilkinsons soap in my opinion. The feel and scent were simply much better.

As far as the actual shave goes, I opted to take baby steps and only completed one pass. I also only did a partial pass on my mouth region as I felt the blade was not sharp enough and was requiring some pressure to really cut the beard. This could simply be poor technique on my part. That said, not a single nick! I will keep the same blade for next time and see if I can do better.

By far my favourite was the Baxter ASB. AMAZING. The mint smell is wonderful but the tingle on my face lasted a good twenty minutes and the cooling sensation another fifteen on top of that. Very pleasureable.

 

[oscarbowman]

Hi and welcome to B&B!

 

[pal]

As with many other fourmites, I stumbled upon this community by accident. After reading many informative threads and watching Mantic's excellent videos I have since developed an interest in the fine art of wet shaving. My goal is to transition into a fulfilling morning ritual that provides both quality results and an enjoyable process. As an effort to both maximize my learning curve and to reciporocate something back to the community I have decided to use this thread as a type of journal. I hope it is to the enjoyment of those who have come before and as a detailed account of one man's journey to those who will follow.

Perhaps I should first begin by relating my current situation and my personal reasons for making the change. I candidly admit to increasingly enjoying the finer things in life. Both the 'simple pleasures' and quality/luxury items have become more enjoyable into my early 30s. I seem to have completely missed the opportunity to enjoy what I have, up until this point, considered simply a necessary chore in shaving. I temper this with a pursuit of buying and consuming environmentally responsible products. Packaging with this in mind is a personal consideration.

My current shaving regime, as yet unchanged by my recent education by the above pundit sources, includes the following. As you may note, several features are consistent with traditional wet shaving techniques and practices while others can certainly improve drastically. I begin each and every morning with a shower. This has always facilitated what I considered a proper preperation for shaving in that my skin always reacted much better to the shaving process. Typically, I prepared my face with the warm-to-hot water of the shower in combination with various face washes. Predominantly, I use my wife's St Ives Apricot exfolitaing scrub as it seems to be her product of choice. It generally does the job with minimal tightening of my skin. After the shower I towel dry and proceed to begin the actual shaving routine.

After the shower, I proceed to lather my shaving cream or soap. I have used many can gels and creams in the past (Nivea being my favourite can gel) but was recently persuaded by a friend to try the Wilkinson 'blue' shaving soap applied by a Wilkinson shaving brush. Typically, I lather the soap in the containg dish. I have experimented with applying the lather via my hands from the brush and directly from the brush itself. I have since only used the brush and feel it does indeed do a better job than my hands. So, after creating a solid lather, I would again soak my face with hot water and apply the lather accordingly. Post shave consists of a cold water rinse and Nivea balm.

I have tried many disposable razors in the past but have found that the three-to-five blade 'systems' are over kill and generally end up iritating my skin and/or cause ingrown hair and neck pimples. Over the years, I have settled on and always came back to the Gillette 'Custom Plus' disposable pivots. These are dual-bladed disposables with the green and blue handle and the green lubricating strip. These do get the job done with minimal negative effects. I have always found they are the best razors for my money and generally provide a decent shave. That said, I am hoping a switch to a safety razor will yeild significant results when combined with a few new products and a refined regiment.

As mentioned, I have always enjoyed quality and have increasingly moved towards purchasing luxury items. I certainly can afford and do not mind paying for quality but I do expect a return for my money. I understand that simply paying more cash for a product does not guarantee it will provide increased enjoyment and/or performance. For these reasons I have decided to forgoe spending a small fortune on equipment and consumables and focus on developing technique and excellent practices. I shall endeavour to use only the bare minimum of products with little variation in efforts to achieve a solid technique and discover what does and does not work for my personal preferences.

Thus far, I have pruchased the following based on tradition, forum knowledge and experinece, location/availability (Maritime/Eastern Canada) and (percieved) cost effectiveness. I plan on using the following products for a minimum of 30 days before switching. The only product I plan on rotating within the first 30 days are the blades. Please note that I will not start my new regiment until I have assembled my first kit - which should be the begining of next week (24/05/10). As I am on vacation for a week it will be a perfect time to start.

Preperation Facewash: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
I chose this product as it is very affordable (if not dirt cheap), accessible, gentle and generally regarded as a decent product.

Brush: Wilkinson Sword
I have yet to purchase a new brush. Hearalded as the most critical piece of equipment, perhaps second only to blade selection, I feel the need to make a well informed choice. Since I already possess a brush, I believe I will begin with the Wilkinson. This will allow me to compare the new regiment with the old and see what differences the utensil actually makes regarding lather. I believe I will be going against the grain and looking into a synthetic brush.

Shaving Cream: Proraso (Eucalyptus and Menthol)
Both tradition and review dictated this choice. As with the Cetaphil, this product is easily accessible, down righ cheap and highly regarded.

Safety Razor: Merkur HD 34C
From my research I have narrowed the choice down to a vintage Super Speed and a new Merkur HD 34C. These razors both appear to be the stalwart choice for beginers and the experienced alike. I decided to purchase new and bought the Merkur.

Razor Blades Sampler: Precision, Dorco, Derby, Lord and Astra
Again, simplicty and cost effectiveness was the key. That said, I will certainly mix up my blade selection and order another sampler if need be.

Astringent: Thayer's Lemon Witch Hazel
I decided to add this phase in after more reading about witch hazel's properties. It will fit into my regiment post shave and pre after shave balm.

After Shave: Baxter of California Aftershave Balm
I chose this product based on the consensus of the reviews stating it was a decent product, provided a cooling sensation and had a pleasant yet temporary lemon scent. My work environment is scent concious.

Moisturizing Lotion: Baxter of California Enriched Night Cream
I chose this additional nocturnal moisturizer and expholiant to compliment the aftershave and provide a skin care treatment that lasts a full 24 hours.

I would like to thank everyone on this forum for providing such a detailed resource. I look forward to begining my journey into traditional wet shaving and I look forward to comments, suggestions and interaction.

Nice post! I think you will fit in nicely here.

 

[SuperSpeed]

After several more attempts I have managed to complete two passes. That said, I still am having difficult with shaving my lip and chin area - where my beard is at its most concentrated and coarse. As mentioned before I believe the issue to be the Derby Extra blades. They seem to be incapable of cleanly cutting through the beard in these regions and simply pull or tug at the hair.

I think I will opt to try another blade. Of the sample pack I purchased I have the following to choose from: Astra "Superior Platinum" - Dorco "New Platinum" - and Lord "Super". Which of these would be a blade sharper than the Derby Extras? Should I invest in a different sample pack alltogether?

I have substantially improved my lather and my neck area has become much easier to navigate. Other than the above issues I believe my progress is certainly coming along nicely. I will try a new blade this week - hopefully with a recomendation - and report back.

 

[mblakele]

I would try the Astras next. While you are trying them, you might order some Iridiums and Feathers, and perhaps Kais.

 

[Carolina Kiltman]

Welcome!

I see you have thought things out quite carefully. As far as the environmental aspects of shaving, the best soap then would be Grandma's Lye Soap, a concoction made from left-over fat, (bacon & pork, chicken and beef tallow) made into soap with the lye leached from the wood ashes saved from the kitchen range (which burned wood).

Yes I have used this witches brew, and it worked. So also did almost any other type of soap which happened to be handy.

All of which is to say, don't take it so seriously! Shaving is a necessity for most of us, so make it as enjoyable as possible. There are no perfect combinations, Just what works best for you.

Happy shaving

 

[Luc]

I don't think I have anything else to add than Welcome to B&B!

 

[SuperSpeed]

My technique has continued to improve somewhat. I decided that the shedding of my Wilkinson brush necessitated a change. I have purchased a Proraso/Omega boar brush and have been giving the brush a good shampoo each night in efforts of removing the animal smell. It has yet to fade enough for my tastes.

I have tried several blades from my sampler pack and have yet to find a blade that can deal with my chin and lip. The Astras were no better than the Derby. All of the blades I have tried feel like they are pulling the beard as opposed to cutting it. I think I may invest in another sampler pack. Perhaps one with a notoriuosly sharp blade may be what I need. Should I venture into the Feather territory? Recomendations?

 

[SuperSpeed]

Gents, after eight years I can tell you that I have tried many more soaps, balms and other products. I have to say that I still prefer Proraso soap products. They are an amazing value for the money.

 

[MilkCrate]

I’m a bit late in catching up, but good reads. Welcome to the forum!

Your research and testing methodology are impressive. I don’t have the link handy, but there is a Wiki on blade angles around here somewhere. Your razor technique will be the key to unlocking everything.

The forum is a great resource, so ask questions when needed. Again, welcome.

 

[SuperSpeed]

One thing I should add is that I have discovered that, in addition to showering as the beginning of my shaving routine, I have found that a good pre-shave product certainly helps soften my iron-like facial hair. This, combined with a good face lather, has much improved my shaving experience.