Blake's Journal

[-blake-]

I started getting interested in traditional shaving in late November 2017. After watching many videos and reading many articles I ordered an EJ DE89 from Amazon. It arrived in early December.

I can't honestly say I'm in love with the DE razor. (More on that in future posts.) Nor can I say that I got interested in traditional shaving because I had complaints about my cartridge razor. Truth is, I get a close, comfortable shave from either my Gillette Sensor or my Mach 3, and I think a pivoting head razor with thin, flexible blades mounted on tiny springs is a great invention!

Nevertheless, I am still very interested in traditional shaving, particularly the software part. Making my own lather from soap has been a game changer for me. Learning to be mindful and treat shaving as a treat rather than a chore has also been a game changer. I enjoy shaving! And enjoy being here on B&B and learning about it.

So here I am. I've been keeping private notes on my shaves for over a month now. Now I'm going to see if works for me to keep some public notes.

 

[DocHoliday0831]

[emoji106] sound like a fun trip


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[-blake-]

Today I did a 2-pass shave with Stirling Naked & Smooth+KMF, and a new Gillette Guard. This was the first time I'd done the superlather thing and I wasn't wowed by it. I enjoy the lather I get from either of those products and combining them didn't add noticeable value to me.

I prepped by taking a shower and gently scrubbing my face with St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I've read that it is good to use an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week. I do it once a week.

Post shave, I splashed with Dickenson's Witch Hazel and then a few minutes later applied Neutrogena oil-free moisture for sensitive skin. I don't own any post-shave balms. I just use face moisturizer. If anyone can explain what makes post-shave balms better, I love to learn things. I've looked at the ingredients on a few balms and they seem the same as face moisture lotion to me.

It was a good close, comfortable shave. At present, I'm not really into trying to grade shaves as DFS or BBS.

 

[supertrunker]

What's a superlather?

T

 

[Smattayu]

Welcome to the journals! The software aspect is a fantastic part of the shave, and there are a ton of excellent products out there. Look forward to reading more from you.

What's a superlather?

A superlather is when you add something to the mix while lathering the software of your choice. Instead of just using soap, adding some cream to the mix, or a few drops of glycerine, etc.

 

[NurseDave]

Hey, welcome Blake. Wish I could answer the balm thing for you. I too use a moisturizer after alum and witch hazel. Anything after that I'm using for my own scent enjoyment. I found a post shave routine that really minimizes my razor burn so I'm not messing with it.

 

[-blake-]

On 48 hours growth, today I did 2-pass shave with KMF unscented (bowl lathered) + Gillette Guard. Comfort A+.

KMF may be the sleeper in my very small collection of soaps/creams. There is nothing fancy or artisan about it. It's just plain and simple and it works. It has a nice, clean list of ingredients. Easy to lather. And I can buy it at my local supermarket. Yet despite all these pluses, it often takes a backseat to my puck-soaps.

I washed my whiskers with Ivory this morning. That's something different. I keep a bar of Ivory by the bathroom sink for washing my hands, but I usually wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. I only used the Ivory on my beard area. I liked it.

Post shave, I splashed with Dickenson's Witch Hazel and then a few minutes later applied Neutrogena oil-free moisture for sensitive skin.

All-in-all a completely enjoyable shave.

I'm going to keep using the Gillette Guard for the next few shaves until the blade tells me it's had enough.

 

[WildWest74]

Enjoying the start so far! I too got into the software side of things before falling in love with safety razors and straights. Can't wait to see where your journey takes you!

 

[-blake-]

New RazoRock Plissoft and Doug Smith lather bowl arrived today. Can't wait to try it out.

 

[WildWest74]

Nice mail call! The bowl looks like it should be a good lather maker.