Alright, well I've been mulling over picking up a straight for a couple weeks. I've only been using a DE for a little over 2 months. I guess my progression was pretty quick. This weekend I decided to snag a shave ready straight off the BST. I ended up getting a Wostenholm Pipe razor from Rick (aka Wid). She got here this morning and even with her flea-bitten scales I still think she's gorgeous. Also, my SRAD is so bad already that I also purchased a Genco Fluid Steel from Tony (aka TonyN) a couple of days later. She arrived this morning as well. Also a beauty. Thank you both again. I also have a very cheap 2 inch strop but it gets the job done. I will definitely invest in a better strop soon.
I decided to test drive the Pipe razor after my shower. Lathered up with Mike's Pine and Cedarwood and the mighty midget (I love this brush btw). I've been using DRH a lot lately but decided to go with the Mike's because it gives me the greasiest lather with no fuss. My first pass was very unnerving. I went extremely slow and I was very unconfident and intimidated. Needless to say I didn't mow down many wiskers. Didn't cut myself though. I think the key to this is confident strokes.
The second pass went alot smoother. It was another WTG pass. Still hesitant but my strokes were more firm. One weeper on my neck but it closed by the time I lathered up for a third go around. It was also another WTG pass with some ATG in the mix. I was mostly trying to get my technique down more than have a flawless smooth face. No nicks. Alot of stubble left on my chin.
Over all impression: I love this. What satisfaction! I was pretty amused too. I couldn't help but chuckle throughout the shave. I cannot wait for the next session. So much so that I gave the Genco a go later on to try and rid my face of the left over stubble. Ha, I'm sick.
Even though I didn't get every whisker down, I'm still proud of myself. I immediately stuck all my DEs in a drawer because when I shave now, it will be with a straight only. I'm really glad I started this at 25 and not later. I'll try to keep this updated everyday but we'll see how it goes. I hope it can help in some way. The other journals here have definitely helped me. Anyway, thanks for reading guys.
I decided to test drive the Pipe razor after my shower. Lathered up with Mike's Pine and Cedarwood and the mighty midget (I love this brush btw). I've been using DRH a lot lately but decided to go with the Mike's because it gives me the greasiest lather with no fuss. My first pass was very unnerving. I went extremely slow and I was very unconfident and intimidated. Needless to say I didn't mow down many wiskers. Didn't cut myself though. I think the key to this is confident strokes.
The second pass went alot smoother. It was another WTG pass. Still hesitant but my strokes were more firm. One weeper on my neck but it closed by the time I lathered up for a third go around. It was also another WTG pass with some ATG in the mix. I was mostly trying to get my technique down more than have a flawless smooth face. No nicks. Alot of stubble left on my chin.
Over all impression: I love this. What satisfaction! I was pretty amused too. I couldn't help but chuckle throughout the shave. I cannot wait for the next session. So much so that I gave the Genco a go later on to try and rid my face of the left over stubble. Ha, I'm sick.
Even though I didn't get every whisker down, I'm still proud of myself. I immediately stuck all my DEs in a drawer because when I shave now, it will be with a straight only. I'm really glad I started this at 25 and not later. I'll try to keep this updated everyday but we'll see how it goes. I hope it can help in some way. The other journals here have definitely helped me. Anyway, thanks for reading guys.
