Diary (& questions) of a relative newbie
- Thread starter Ligeti
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #22
5th shave with the Shark. Did also a 2nd pass on the cheeks today. XTG. Didn't make any difference (on the chin it does). Maybe I did sth wrong.
AimlessWanderer
Remember to forget me!
With new directions of travel, it can take a while to find the angle again. Of course, it could also mean that you did a really good job on the first pass too.
- Thread starter
- #24
6th shave with the Shark SS. Felt like the blade started to tear on the hairs instead of cutting them. Yet the endresult was very satisfying. So I decided on having another go with this blade tomorrow.
First time of face-lathering that I had too much lather (I do like 1,5 passes)
First time of face-lathering that I had too much lather (I do like 1,5 passes)
- Thread starter
- #25
7th shave with the Shark SS. Felt good (no tearing), fine endresult. Still, I'll toss it.
As a beginner, you guys advised me to order several brands of blades. And I did: 3 brands that are supposed to be very different on the sharpness-mildness scale.
So I planned to do like exactly 7 days with each blade, going from mildest to sharpest. Then come down again (7 days each). And only then use a blade per brand as long as it lasts. Probably starting with the sharpest one again.
Does that sound like a plan?
(And do I sound like someone who badly needs a proper hobby?)
As a beginner, you guys advised me to order several brands of blades. And I did: 3 brands that are supposed to be very different on the sharpness-mildness scale.
So I planned to do like exactly 7 days with each blade, going from mildest to sharpest. Then come down again (7 days each). And only then use a blade per brand as long as it lasts. Probably starting with the sharpest one again.
Does that sound like a plan?
(And do I sound like someone who badly needs a proper hobby?)
AimlessWanderer
Remember to forget me!
Sounds good to me, so long as the blade is all that you're changing. Consistency is key in the early stages, so you can identify what change in results was down to you, and what was the blade, razor, soap etc. There are many things to explore in traditional shaving, once you are established in your own techniques, and ave achieved that base level of competence, an can get great shaves every time with one set up. Changing too many things too early, or too often, can just add to the confusion though. You should be fine with that blade exploration, but when you find your favourite blade, stick with it for a while.
- Thread starter
- #27
So today first shave with the Mühle blade. I guess I wittnessed its sharpness (compared to the Shark) on my cheeks being smoother. But also in my neck showing a few red dots.
- Thread starter
- #28
2nd Mühle day. Still face-lathering by the way. For a few days now, I swirl my dry brush on the cream, spread it on my wet face and then start lathering. Regular or weird?
AimlessWanderer
Remember to forget me!
Whatever works best for you, is the right way to go. Whether I start in a bowl, or go straight to the face, I tend to add more water once it's on te face, until it gets to the right density and slickness I'm looking for. I tend to go for thin and slippery, but many like a denser lather than me.
- Thread starter
- #30
3rd Mühle day. Today I used the Proraso green that came as a 10ml sample. The mentol felt very present on my skin, I did not like it at all. Good thing it's only a sample.
- Thread starter
- #31
Yesterday my first attempt to use a soap. I bought 2 supercheap soaps in the supermarket, just to try soap.
First up was a Palmolive stick. Just didn't know how to handle it (I do now). So the lathering didn't go very well. The smell: oké but not a big fan.
Today (5th Mühle day) I tried the Wilkinson puck. Lathering went good. But I'm not so sure about the smell. I don't like it at all, yet I can't stop returning to the bathroom to sniff at the puck. How weird is that.
First up was a Palmolive stick. Just didn't know how to handle it (I do now). So the lathering didn't go very well. The smell: oké but not a big fan.
Today (5th Mühle day) I tried the Wilkinson puck. Lathering went good. But I'm not so sure about the smell. I don't like it at all, yet I can't stop returning to the bathroom to sniff at the puck. How weird is that.
- Thread starter
- #32
6th Mühle day, the blade seems to start showing some fatigue.
2nd attempt at using the Palmolive stick. This time (thanks to your advice): wet stick on wet face: went perfect)
2nd attempt at using the Palmolive stick. This time (thanks to your advice): wet stick on wet face: went perfect)
- Thread starter
- #33
7th and last Mühle day.
Working with the Palmolive stick again. Feels like it leaves my skin dryer. Is it the product or the technique of rubbing the soapstick on your skin?
Working with the Palmolive stick again. Feels like it leaves my skin dryer. Is it the product or the technique of rubbing the soapstick on your skin?
AimlessWanderer
Remember to forget me!
Palmolive sticks can be a bit drying. Try playing around with the water content of the lather.
- Thread starter
- #35
I just did and indeed the effect was less striking. Thx
- Thread starter
- #36
Mühle had it's 7th go, so today I changed it for Astra Superior Platinum (1). In my current set of blades, this was marked 'sharpness 4 out of 5; sharp yet comfortable'. That's indeed what it felt like.
- Thread starter
- #37
2nd day of Astra SP. And I returned to TOBS Sandalwood cream. Perfect shave.
- Thread starter
- #38
5th day already op the Astra SP. You can tell it's not new anymore.
I've been using the Wilkinson shaving soap for a few days now. Still intrigued by the smell of it. I don't like it, yet I keep returning to it.
I've been using the Wilkinson shaving soap for a few days now. Still intrigued by the smell of it. I don't like it, yet I keep returning to it.
- Thread starter
- #39
6th day with the Astra SP, still with the Wilkinson. This time, I managed to get enough soap on my brush for a selective 2nd pass.
The other day I ordered soaps and aftershave. And I forgot to order blades
.
The original plan was to shave exactly 7 days with each of the 3 brands I've got. That's going to come to a close.
Next, I planned on using the blade as long as possible/comfortable. Might do that already with this Astra SP, right
The other day I ordered soaps and aftershave. And I forgot to order blades
.The original plan was to shave exactly 7 days with each of the 3 brands I've got. That's going to come to a close.
Next, I planned on using the blade as long as possible/comfortable. Might do that already with this Astra SP, right
- Thread starter
- #40
7th day with Astra SP, and still the Wilkinson. There are some soaps under the Christmas tree, so that might change tomorrow.
