I'm new to this forum, but I've been wet shaving for over ten years. It wasn't until I took time to do some online investigation that I realized the extent of the wet shaving population. And I'm proud to take part in this community.
Anyway, to give you a bit of background...
For the last ten years, I've shaved with little "meditative" or "zen" focus. It was a chore that needed to be completed before work, or for that matter, any social interaction. My shave was prepped with a hot shower, my brush was boar, my soap was Pro Raso and my razor was a vintage Gillette Rocket (made in England) with a Wilkinson Sword Classic blade. I would do one pass, two at the max, and call it a day.
I have sensitive skin and heavy gauge wire stubble that feels like sandpaper. I shave daily and sport 5 o'clock shadow at high noon, regardless of the time zone. I adopted wet shaving with no guidance as my personal solution to razor burn. Purely a pursuit driven by necessity, not luxury.
Time to make a change.
I continue to shave following a hot shower, but now use a beautiful, perfect, Rockwell Razor 6S that I have completely fallen in love, Feather blades and a Vie Long Cachurro horse hair brush (04312). I switched to Mitchell's Wool Fat. I finish with a splash of witch hazel and Biotherm after shave balm.
I have found my zen.
So what's the experiment?
I have three untouched, brand new brushes:
SIMPSON MILK CHURN BEST BADGER
VIE LONG HORSE HAIR 14030
OMEGA BOAR BRISTLE 10005
I plan on shaving with the above protocol (hot shower, Rockwell + Feather + MWF, witch hazel and Biotherm balm) for seven days.
Week one: Simpson Badger
Week two: Vie Long Horse
Week three: Omega Boar
I will review each shave on day 1, 3 and 7.
Now to be fair, I will begin each week with a brand new blade.
Furthermore, I think it's only proper to recognize the break in time of each brush. As the Simpson Badger needs little to no break in, I will begin using it following an initial clean with Pro Raso.
Each day that I shave, I will also break in the unused brushes: I will palm lather both the Vie Long and the Omega with Pro Raso. Thus, the Vie Long will have a seven day break in before use, and the Boar, which requires further break in, will have undergone a 14 day prep. Please note, that each brush will be thoroughly rinsed and towel stropped until dry. Brushes will not be left to sit for hours with soap residue.
As for the shave. Each shave will be a three pass experience.
Following the three week experiment, all three brushes will be put to a five day test:
Day one -- badger
Day two -- horse
Day three -- boar
Top two will proceed to Day four/five
Winner will be declared.
Disclaimer: I have no dog in this fight.
I am looking for a comfortable, luxurious experience. I don't suffer from brush acquisition disorder. I am not looking to try new blades or collect a closet of safety razors. I am simply curious solve the brush fuss.
(Oh, and I have never had any issue with lathering MWF).
Stay tuned. Tonight I report on Day One with Simpson Best Badger.
Anyway, to give you a bit of background...
For the last ten years, I've shaved with little "meditative" or "zen" focus. It was a chore that needed to be completed before work, or for that matter, any social interaction. My shave was prepped with a hot shower, my brush was boar, my soap was Pro Raso and my razor was a vintage Gillette Rocket (made in England) with a Wilkinson Sword Classic blade. I would do one pass, two at the max, and call it a day.
I have sensitive skin and heavy gauge wire stubble that feels like sandpaper. I shave daily and sport 5 o'clock shadow at high noon, regardless of the time zone. I adopted wet shaving with no guidance as my personal solution to razor burn. Purely a pursuit driven by necessity, not luxury.
Time to make a change.
I continue to shave following a hot shower, but now use a beautiful, perfect, Rockwell Razor 6S that I have completely fallen in love, Feather blades and a Vie Long Cachurro horse hair brush (04312). I switched to Mitchell's Wool Fat. I finish with a splash of witch hazel and Biotherm after shave balm.
I have found my zen.
So what's the experiment?
I have three untouched, brand new brushes:
SIMPSON MILK CHURN BEST BADGER
VIE LONG HORSE HAIR 14030
OMEGA BOAR BRISTLE 10005
I plan on shaving with the above protocol (hot shower, Rockwell + Feather + MWF, witch hazel and Biotherm balm) for seven days.
Week one: Simpson Badger
Week two: Vie Long Horse
Week three: Omega Boar
I will review each shave on day 1, 3 and 7.
Now to be fair, I will begin each week with a brand new blade.
Furthermore, I think it's only proper to recognize the break in time of each brush. As the Simpson Badger needs little to no break in, I will begin using it following an initial clean with Pro Raso.
Each day that I shave, I will also break in the unused brushes: I will palm lather both the Vie Long and the Omega with Pro Raso. Thus, the Vie Long will have a seven day break in before use, and the Boar, which requires further break in, will have undergone a 14 day prep. Please note, that each brush will be thoroughly rinsed and towel stropped until dry. Brushes will not be left to sit for hours with soap residue.
As for the shave. Each shave will be a three pass experience.
Following the three week experiment, all three brushes will be put to a five day test:
Day one -- badger
Day two -- horse
Day three -- boar
Top two will proceed to Day four/five
Winner will be declared.
Disclaimer: I have no dog in this fight.
I am looking for a comfortable, luxurious experience. I don't suffer from brush acquisition disorder. I am not looking to try new blades or collect a closet of safety razors. I am simply curious solve the brush fuss.
(Oh, and I have never had any issue with lathering MWF).
Stay tuned. Tonight I report on Day One with Simpson Best Badger.